(1959 212 mins)
A historical drama set against the backdrop of Jesus Christ's final years. Two childhood friends, Juda Ben Hur, a Jewish nobleman and Messala, a Roman tribune, second in command to the Roman governor of Judaea, meet after many years. However, Ben Hur is not willing to betray members of his own race to the Romans so Messala exiles Juda as a galley slave and throws Juda's mother and sister into prison. During a sea battle, Juda saves the life of a Roman consul, Quintus Arius, who repays Juda by adopting him a s a son. As a free man, Juda returns to Judaea to take his revenge on Messala. An opportunity arises in a chariot race depicted in one of Hollywood's most famous scenes. Juda wins the race after Messla suffers a fatal crash, but Messala as he dies reveals that Juda's mother and sister live in a leper colony. The final scenes are ingeniously interwoven with the crucifixion of Christ.
Cast
Charlton Heston as Juda Ben Hur, Steven Boyd as Messala, Jack Hawkins as Quintus Arius, Hugh Griffith as Sheikh Ildrin, Haya Harareet as Esther, Martha Scott as Miriam, Cathy O'Donnell as Juda's mother, Sam Jaffe as Balthazar
Director
William Wyler
Questions
1. When did the Roman empire exist and how far did it extend?
2. What other life story is interwoven with that of Ben Hur?
3. In what year does the story of Ben Hur begin and end?
4. What events in Jesus Christ's life are shown?
5. At what points so Ben Hur's and Jesus Christ's lives cross?
6. What other films focus on dilemmas posed by friendship?
7. What is unique in the way the nativity and the crucifixion scenes are depicted in the film?
8. Why is this film often referred to as an epic?
9. What similarities did you see in the way Charlton Heston portrayed Moses and Ben Hur?
10. Identify any parallels between ethnic minorities or sufferers of illnesses in those times and the present day.
Back to Film Page