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Ben-Hur

Play trailer Poster for Ben-Hur G 1959 3h 23m History Drama Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
88% Tomatometer 58 Reviews 90% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
An enslaved Judean prince (Charlton Heston) meets his Roman betrayer (Stephen Boyd), a former friend, in a chariot race.

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Ben-Hur

Ben-Hur

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Critics Consensus

Uneven, but in terms of epic scope and grand spectacle, Ben-Hur still ranks among Hollywood's finest examples of pure entertainment.

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Critics Reviews

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Kevin Maher The Times (UK) Mar 23
5/5
The most remarkable aspect of Ben-Hur is its narrative simplicity. Go to Full Review Jack Harrison The Hollywood Reporter 11/19/2018
William Wyler never lets spectacle and size interfere with the elemental passions and conflicts of his human story. The spectacular aspects emerge naturally from the story -- the time and place and the customs of the society in which the characters live. Go to Full Review Martin Chilton Daily Telegraph (UK) 01/01/2015
5/5
Although it is a spectacle film, the story of how a man takes on the tyranny of the Romans, with all sorts of horrible consequences to himself and his family, is powerful and gripping. Go to Full Review Katie Hogan FILMHOUNDS Magazine Mar 24
4/5
A small accident sparks an epic story, and thankfully, it’s told so well here that generations later, we are still in awe of this film. Go to Full Review Allison Rose FlickDirect Feb 19
4.5/5
An epic three-and-a-half-hour saga that exceeded expectations and became one of the most celebrated films in Academy Awards history. Go to Full Review Jeff Beck The Blu Spot Feb 17
5/5
Even after nearly 70 years, William Wyler's Ben-Hur remains one of the most astonishing accomplishments in the history of cinema. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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AngeLKing Apr 16 Great movie not made like this anymore it's all real to no CGI none of that just good whole clean movie watching for four hours. See more Jose Apr 12 One of the best classic movies to get into that Easter Spirit! ☺️🐣🐥🥰 See more Peter Apr 10 Fast-moving epic that makes the nearly 4 hours fly as if it was only half that long. What a story! And the cinematography! It was outstanding with each frame exhibited as it were a scene from a Renaissance painting. A must watch! See more Vasona Kid Apr 10 Cool movie, although a little too religious for me. Really nice theater. See more Jim Reeder Apr 6 This movie was over the top then and now. Ben-Hur will always be one of the best movies ever made if not the best. See more Kristi obeso Apr 4 There was so much we missed seeing it on the small screen. It was in readable. See more Read all reviews
Ben-Hur

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Cast & Crew

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William Wyler

Director

Charlton Heston

Judah Ben-Hur

Jack Hawkins

Quintus Arrius

Stephen Boyd

Messala

Haya Harareet

Esther

Hugh Griffith

Sheik Ilderim

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Ben-Hur

Shown here is the chariot race in the film "Ben-Hur." Hugh Griffith portrays Sheik Ilderim in the film "Ben-Hur." Charlton Heston (left) Stephen Boyd (center), who played Messala, talk with director William Wyler (right) while taking a break from filming the chariot race. Charlton Heston (left) pictured here on the film's set in Rome with Haya Harareet (right), who played Esther. Charlton Heston (left) on the film's set in Rome with his three-year old son Fraser (center). Co-star Jack Hawkins (right) is shown chatting with Heston and his son during a break from filming. Ben-Hur (1959) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis An enslaved Judean prince (Charlton Heston) meets his Roman betrayer (Stephen Boyd), a former friend, in a chariot race.
Director
William Wyler
Producer
Sam Zimbalist
Screenwriter
Lew Wallace, Karl Tunberg
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Warner Bros., Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Rating
G
Genre
History, Drama, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 18, 1959, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Mar 29, 2026
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 30, 2013
Runtime
3h 23m
Sound Mix
Stereo, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)