85 of 1001 Movies: Ben-Hur (1959)

Ben-Hur is one of the earliest epic films. It's the beginning of a long of epic tales to follow it, and it beautifully weaves in the story of Christ through the story of Ben-Hur. The subtle messages, and the very likable Charlton Heston make it a great watch. Though I'm still wondering why in the 6th grade this was apart of the curriculum to be shown to us. They had a day set aside each year for 6th graders to watch. While entertaining at that age the message, and beauty of the movie was missed on me.

Judah Ben-Hur and Messala are long time friends, but when they are reunited there is an instant riff between them as Messala has changed. He is now a Roman soldier, and has some deep set feelings against the Jews, which is Ben-Hur's heritage. When Messala recognizes his friend's defense of his people a barrier is made between them, and he sets him up for plotting a murder. Ben-Hur is sentenced into slavery, and his family taken away to prison. A turn of events has him regaining his freedom, and seeking revenge on the man that betrayed leading up to a grand finale of redemption and loss.


Ben-Hur is one of those movies you should go back and view again every once and awhile. I believe you will find something different each time you do. The chariot race is such a memorable scene too, so for two hours at least you are anxiously waiting to either rewatch it or see what everyone is talking about the first time they mention it.

Charlton Heston is a very likable Ben-Hur. Though it may bother you the whole time that none of these people look Roman or Jewish that were cast, nor do they even have the accent of someone speaking from that region. You're always rooting for the guy despite the fact he seems too good to be true as a person. He fights for his family, trusts his faith in God, and even when a ship is sinking he stops to unchain the other slaves, and rescues his captor. Of course these acts of kindness lead him home to where he can finally seek revenge. Even during the chariot race Ben-Hur is the only racer not using a whip to force his horses along, but instead chooses a more gentle approach. All these attentions to detail as far as the type of person he was make him more real.

William Wyler crafted a really beautiful movie to look at as well that still upholds with time. The colors are beautiful, and the backdrops are well put together to create the scenes. You feel you are in that area of the world. The fact he was able to capture that much action on screen in the 50s was so progressive as well. You will be intrigued watching the movie just analyzing the attention to detail.

Ben-Hur has a lot of action, and good acting, though at times it does feel a little over the top. I admit though, the running time is killer. It isn't a movie that is the easiest to sit straight through. What truly is beautiful though is how it shows my faith. A man unknowingly has Christ working in his life at the time of his life, and it all leads up to him being there to witness the death of Christ. I'm still thinking about the scenes where Christ gave Ben-Hur water, and the ending when Ben-Hur tried to do the same for Christ before his final moment. Those are some of the most heartbreaking and beautiful parts of the movie. The fact that Wyler always chooses to not show Christ's face is also an intriguing move as a director. If the movie had been shortened a little bit it would make a perfect film.

Rating 9 of 10.