Ben Hur (1959)

1959 • 222 minutes
4.8
683 reviews
69%
Tomatometer
G
Rating
Eligible
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About this movie

Record-breaking winner of 11 Oscars, including Best Picture, Director, Actor, Supporting Actor, and Score, this epic masterpiece stars Charlton Heston ("The Ten Commandments," "Touch of Evil") in the title role of a rebellious Israelite Jew who takes on the Roman Empire during the time of Christ. Featuring one of the most famous action sequences of all time -- the breathtaking chariot race. Directed by Oscar-winner William Wyler ("Mrs. Miniver," "The Best Years of Our Lives"). Recently selected as one of the top 100 American films of all time by the prestigious American Film Institute.
MPAA Rating: NOTRATED "BEN HUR and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and ©
Rating
G

Ratings and reviews

4.8
683 reviews
Bryant Arms
October 4, 2013
Its a long movie with a gilded quality. But its epic effects are ho-hum when compared to the atmosphere created by special effects of more modern movies. Unfortunately I needed to pause the movie for too long. I couldn't finish it and I will be charged double to continue the movie. I don't feel it is worth that price. Instead I will probably forever relate it to my feeling of disappointment caused by not being able to continue the movie without being ripped off. Don't bother starting this movie unless you are certain you will not be interrupted. I won't use Google Play anymore either. Netflix offers a better service.
31 people found this review helpful
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Dorothee
October 7, 2021
Mittlerweile bin ich 63 Jahre alt. Ich sah diesen epischen Film, der m.E. doch nah am Roman liegt zum 1. mal mit 13 Jahren. Damals wie auch heute noch bin ich einfach überzeugt, dass dies der beste Film aller Zeiten ist. Ich nannte unsere Tochter, die ich 1999 zur Welt brachte nach der Sklavin Esther. Diese Geschichte hat mich derart berührt, dass ich selbst auch sogar wieder zum Glauben fand! Mega, super!
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T. Randall
April 12, 2019
Hands down, the best version of the novel on which it is based. The silent version done decades earlier was a masterpiece, and the 1959 version is very close to it in rendition, but dialog and color really are necessary to appreciate the grand scale of the epic story, and the acting by Heston et al is excellent. One of the best films ever made and a must-see. You have to be blown away by the chariot race - there never was and has never since been anything like it, and w/o special effects!
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