![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Ben_hur_1959_poster.jpg/640px-Ben_hur_1959_poster.jpg&w=640&q=50)
Ben-Hur (1959 movie)
1959 American epic historical drama film by William Wyler / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ben-Hur is an epic movie of the sword and sandal genre released in 1959. It was directed by William Wyler. It stars Charlton Heston as Ben-Hur and Stephen Boyd as Messala. It is set in Ancient Rome and Ancient Judea. It tells of two men - one a Jewish prince and the other a Roman tribune - whose friendship turns to bitter hatred. The climax of the movie is a 9-minute chariot race and the crucifixion of Jesus. The movie won 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The movie is based on the 1880 novel, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Lew Wallace. Two silent movies on the same subject were made in 1907 and 1925, and another sound movie on the same subject was made in 2016.
Quick Facts Ben-Hur, Directed by ...
Ben-Hur | |
---|---|
![]() Original theatrical poster by Reynold Brown | |
Directed by | William Wyler |
Screenplay by | Karl Tunberg[lower-alpha 1] |
Based on | Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by General Lew Wallace |
Produced by | Sam Zimbalist |
Starring |
|
Narrated by | Finlay Currie |
Cinematography | Robert L. Surtees |
Edited by |
|
Music by | Miklós Rózsa |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Loew's, Inc.[1] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 212 minutes[2] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $15.2 million[3] |
Box office | $146.9 million (initial release) |
Close