Director: William Wyler
Music by Miklos Rozsa
Cast: Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Haya Harareet, Stephen Boyd, Sam Jaffe
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 birth of Jesus Christ.
Many years later a new Tribune comes to Jerusalem known as Messala (Stephen Boyd). On arrival he is greeted by his childhood friend Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston) and they converse over old times. While Messala visits Judah at his estate they quarrel as a result of Messala asking him to betray Judea for the good of Rome. Judah refuses and Messala leaves angrily. One of Ben-Hur's loyal servants Simonides (Sam Jaffe) comes back from a trade journey bearing gifts and his daughter Esther (Haya Harareet) who is to be married to a merchant. Ben Hur falls in love with her but does allow her to marry. While the new governor marches in a parade through the streets of Jerusalem Judah and his sister watch.
Just then a tile loosens and falls causing the governor to fall off his horse. Messala arrests Judah, his mother and sister as well as Simonides.
He knows that it was an accident but does this so that the people will fear and obey him. Judah is sent to the galleys and is expected to die. On the forced march to Tyris they stop for water but Judah is refused any. Just then a mysterious man appears and gives him water while the guards stare in amazement. Judah spends three years in the galleys and is adopted by Quintus Aerius (Jack Hawkins) after he rescues him. Judah soon becomes the greatest charioteer in Rome and wins fame and glory, however he returns to Jerusalem to settle an old score with Messala. Judah's mother and sister have leprosy and are sent to a cave where lepers are allowed to live. Judah believes they are dead after Esther convinces him of this. Judah then enters the chariot race against Messala and is victorious. Messala is fatally wounded in a crash and dies soon after.
Judah follows Esther one day and discovers his family are alive. Esther wishes to take them to Jesus so they may be healed, however as they arrive he is carrying his cross and about to be crucified.
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