USA,
1959, 212 min
(Alternative: 203 min)
Directed by:
William WylerScreenplay:
Karl TunbergCinematography:
Robert SurteesComposer:
Miklós RózsaCast:
Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Haya Harareet, Stephen Boyd, Hugh Griffith, Martha Scott, Cathy O'Donnell, Sam Jaffe, Finlay Currie, Frank Thring (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
After his boyhood friend Messala's (Stephen Boyd) fanatic loyalty to Rome makes him a powerful enemy, Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston) is found guilty of an attempted murder he did not commit. His family is banished and he is enslaved on a warship. Through his ferocity in a raging sea battle, he is able to escape and become a horse trainer. To exact his revenge, Ben-Hur decides to compete against Messala in the Roman chariot races. They race, locked in a battle to the death. Barely surviving, Ben-Hur forsakes the sword for Christ and finally finds redemption. (Warner Bros. AU)
(more)Awards
- Winner
- Nominations
Academy Awards
- 1960 - Best Motion Picture of the Year
- 1960 - William Wyler (Best Achievement in Directing)
- 1960 - Charlton Heston (Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role)
- 1960 - Hugh Griffith (Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role)
- 1960 - Robert Surtees (Best Cinematography (Color))
- 1960 - Best Achievement in Film Editing
- 1960 - Miklós Rózsa (Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score))
- 1960 - Best Achievement in Production Design
- 1960 - Best Achievement in Costume Design
- 1960 - Best Achievement in Visual Effects
- 1960 - Best Sound Mixing
- 1960 - Karl Tunberg (Best Adapted Screenplay)
British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)
- 1960 - Best Film
Golden Globes
- 1960 - Best Motion Picture – Drama
- 1960 - William Wyler (Best Director)
- 1960 - Stephen Boyd (Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture)
- 1960 - Charlton Heston (Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama)
New York Film Critics Circle Awards
- 1959 - Best Film
- 1959 - William Wyler (Best Director)
- 1959 - Karl Tunberg (Best Screenplay)
The Saturn Awards
- 2006 - Best DVD Classic Film Release