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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 116 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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Mildred Stockard Houston Chronicle Jun 17
It is much more than mere spectacle. It is a picture that has warmth and romance, excitement, drama, tragedy, humor and inspiration blended into one absorbing drama. Go to Full Review Philip K. Scheuer Los Angeles Times Jun 17
MGM has delivered the Ben-Hur it promised. It is, whatever the minor pros and cons that will rage over it, magnificent, inspiring, awesome, enthralling and all the other adjectives you have been reading about it. Go to Full Review Mildred Martin Philadelphia Inquirer Jun 17
This is a Ben-Hur to stir the imagination and move the heart. It has spectacle, of course. But it is spectacle which, exciting beyond words in the stunningly handled chariot race, does not overwhelm the basic truths of Wallace's story of faith. Go to Full Review W. Ward Marsh Cleveland Plain Dealer Jun 17
Perhaps the perfect picture has not yet been filmed -- any more than the perfect novel has been written or the perfect painting yet put on canvas -- but Ben-Hur will do, and will do for a long time, too. Go to Full Review Michael Kenney Hartford Courant Jun 17
The chariot race has all the impact and terror that one could imagine. For minute after minute it holds the viewer in almost sinister fascination. Go to Full Review R.H. Gardner Baltimore Sun Jun 17
One of the largest, loudest and certainly longest, Ben-Hur is also one of the best of the Hollywood spectaculars. Exclude The Bridge on the River Kwai, and it may be the best. 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)