Ben-Hur (1959)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:33
Fresh:30
Rotten:3
Average Rating:7.8/10
Consensus: Uneven, but in terms of epic scope and grand spectacle, Ben-Hur still ranks among Hollywood's finest examples of pure entertainment.
Theatrical Release:Dec 10, 1959 Wide
Synopsis: Anno Domini: the seventh year of Augustus Caesar's reign. In the Roman province of Judea, Jews return to the city of their birth for the census. A bright star in the night over Bethlehem marks the... [More]
Starring: Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd, Haya Harareet
Director: William Wyler
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Reviews for Ben-Hur
| Tomatometer | Critic | Review | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
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The biggest and the best of Hollywood's super-spectacles. Full Review |
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 C |
Mostly tedious Sunday school tale. Full Review |
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It's very much of its time, overblown and overlong -- but Ben-Hur is rightfully lodged at the forefront of Hollywood history. Full Review |
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Entire new frontiers in boredom were opened up by this MGM whopper from 1959. Full Review |
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3/4 |
The kind of sweeping pseudo-biblical epic that Hollywood was famous for. If not for Heston's weak performance and Boyd's ludicrous one, the film might have been better. Full Review |
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B+ |
In the lead, Heston is stiff, and the writing is uneven, but overall, it's rousing epic done on a massive scale with hundreds of sets and extras a priceless race scene. Full Review |
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4/4 |
The film moves with an assurance and majesty hardly seen in modern movies. Full Review |
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The movie could be trying to say that for some people religion is an escape from their sexuality, but it seems unlikely. Full Review |
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A |
A movie that has come to define Biblical epic. Full Review |
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4/5 |
No review available.
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4/5 |
No review available.
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5/5 |
An absolute classic Hollywood epic!
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5/5 |
Awesome spectacle, unforgettable story, Heston's best
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A |
The grandest of Hollywood's classic biblical epics… doesn't transcend its genre, with its spectacle and melodrama, but it does these things about as well as possible. Full Review |
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3/5 |
No review available.
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4/5 |
No review available.
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4.5/5 |
Predictable but magnificent and satisfying. Full Review |
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5/5 |
Mr. Wyler and his money-free producers have smartly and effectively laid stress on the powerful and meaningful personal conflicts that are strong in this old heroic tale. Full Review |
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3/5 |
No review available.
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3.5/4 |
One of the most exciting action epics ever made, blustery "Ben-Hur" is filled with over-the-top performances, but memorable scenes. Full Review |
CommentLatest News for Ben-Hur
April 07, 2008:
Charlton Heston's Most Memorable Performances
With his classically chiseled looks and basso profundo speaking voice, Charlton Heston was an icon of old-school Hollywood. In remembrance of Heston, Rotten Tomatoes has... More...
April 07, 2008:
Charlton Heston: 1924-2008
Charlton Heston has passed away at the age of 84. More...
June 22, 2007:
AFI Announces Top 100 Movies of All Time ... Again
Ten years ago the AFI gave us a list of the Top 100 American Films Ever Made -- and when that was done they churned out 15 other lists every few years. And then last night they... More...
November 30, 2006:
Critical Consensus: "Nativity" Is Too Safe; "Turistas" Not Worth Trip
This week at the movies, we've got a new take on the first Noel ("The Nativity Story," starring Keisha Castle-Hughes), endangered Americans in Brazil... More...
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