Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ

Critics Consensus

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Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ Photos

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Movie Info

This renowned silent epic was one of the most expensive features of its day, and easily stands up to the later, technically superior version. Juda Ben-Hur, a Judean Prince forced to become a galley slave, saves the life of a Roman nobleman. He is adopted by the Roman and becomes a respected citizen and a famed chariot racer. Upon his return to Judea, Ben-Hur witnesses the crucifixion of Jesus and is inspired to convert to Christianity. Hold on tight during the sea battle and chariot race.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Action & Adventure, Classics, Drama, Faith & Spirituality
Directed By:

Fred Niblo
Written By:

June Mathis, Carey Wilson, Bess Meredyth
In Theaters:

Jan 1, 1926 wide
Runtime:

141 minutes
Studio:

WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES

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Cast

Ramon Novarro
as Judah Ben-Hur

Francis X. Bushman
as Messala

May McAvoy
as Esther

Claire McDowell
as Princess of Hur

Betty Bronson
as Mary

Kathleen Key
as Tirzah

Carmel Myers
as Iras

Nigel De Brulier
as Simonides

Mitchell Lewis
as Sheik Ilderim

Leo White
as Sanballat

Frank Currier
as Arrius

Charles Belcher
as Balthazar

Dale Fuller
as Amrah

Winter Hall
as Joseph

Harry Greenberg
as Centurion

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Critic Reviews for Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ

All Critics (7) | DVD (1)

Best enjoyed as a sample of the state of the art circa 1925, not as a timeless masterpiece.

Sep 15, 2008 | Rating: 7/10 | Full Review…

Tim Brayton
Antagony & Ecstasy
At nearly 2½ hours long, the 1925 version is still an hour shorter than the 1959 version, yet the story is essentially the same, and the scale similarly impressive.

Oct 17, 2005 | Rating: A | Full Review…

Steven D. Greydanus
Decent Films Guide
Yes, you'll also find the chariot race in here, and you may even find it as exciting or more exciting than the one Heston enacted.

Aug 30, 2005 | Rating: 7/10 | Full Review…

John J. Puccio
Movie Metropolis
Hokey by today's standards, but one of the greatest silent film spectacles.

Apr 8, 2005 | Rating: 3/5

Bob Bloom
Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
Novelist Lew Wallace's 'Tale of Christ' got the silent Hollywood treatment, and how, in M-G-M's elephantine costume epic.

Aug 6, 2004 | Full Review…

Thomas Delapa
Boulder Weekly
Has merits not found in William Wyler's Oscar-laden 1959 remake.

Dec 1, 2002 | Rating: 4.5/5 | Full Review…

Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

View All Critic Reviews (7)

Audience Reviews for Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ

Sep 24, 2011

I think I ought to re-watch this movie. I did just watch it last week, but it was so long I got bored and wasn't paying attention. I do remember a few good scenes, and the epic landscapes and enormous cast are really cool looking, but it's just so long. It really looks like an expensive picture, and the main cast does a good job, so I think it deserves a re-watch.

Aj V Super Reviewer
Aug 16, 2011

Subjectively speaking, the remake is obviously superior to the original silent classic technically. That's just like saying that The Matrix (1999) is superior to Metropolis (1927) also technically. However, this masterpiece outdoes the epic remake in a more objective way in basically every single aspect. What is funny, though, is that pretentious critics nowadays show harshness towards Wyler's version because of its popularity, when deep inside they know they fought against themselves quite strongly so they could rate it below 4 stars. They have no solid arguments whatsoever. The ones that criticize the silent version and put the remake over the original also lack solid reasons. Can't all of us be objective, then? Cinema is a serious game. And about Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ, it is the best version of the story for a good number of reasons, almost reaching the scope of Griffith's Intolerance, below Abel Gance's Napoleon, but representing a longstanding legend for the Golden Age of US moviemaking. 99/100

Edgar C Super Reviewer