Judah Ben-Hur lives like a wealthy Jewish prince and trade in Jerusalem at the outset of the first century. Together with the new governor his old companion Messala appears as commanding official of the Roman legions. At first they're pleased to meet right after a long time however their different diplomatic views separate them. Through the welcome parade a top tile falls down from Judah's house and injures the governor. Though Messala knows they're simple, he send Judah to the galleys then throws his sister and mother into prison. But Judah swears to return and take revenge.
The numbers speak volumes: 8,000 extras, 100,000 costumes, 300 sets and a stunning budget in its day the biggest in film history. Ben-Hur's makers made it the best, the best Biblical-era classic forever. Charlton Heston brought a muscular moral and physical presence to the role of Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish nobleman in Palestine whose heroic odyssey includes dependence by the Romans, a brave escape from a plagued slave galley, revenge against his tormentors throughout a furious arena fateful encounters and chariot race with Jesus Christ. Heston's charismatic performance gives him the Best Actor Oscar; the winner as 1959's Best Picture using the famous William Wyler earned the third Best Director award, the film won an overall 11 Academy Awards - a tally unequaled till 1997's Titanic set sail.
