Ben Hur (1959)

Ben-Hur is a 1959 American historical drama which won 11 Academy Awards and 3 Golden Globes and is rated as one of the best movies of all time. The movie is set at the time of Christ and Ben-Hur is a Jewish prince who is battling the Roman Empire. Ben-Hur is reunited with an old childhood friend, who is Roman, who returns to Jerusalem after some years away. There is an accident which results in Ben-Hur and his family being imprisoned as an example to the Jewish people. Ben-Hur swears his revenge on his old friend, Messala. Ben-Hur becomes a slave on a ship which is sunk in a great battle. Ben-Hur saves the other slaves and the Roman in charge who then adopts him in gratitude. Ben-Hur learns roman ways and becomes a champion charioteer, but still longs for his family and homeland. However, his family has contracted a disease whilst in prison, and asks for Ben-Hur to be told they have died rather than him find out, so he decides to race his chariot against his old friend in anger at this. Messala tries to cheat in the race and attempts to destroy Ben-Hur’s chariot but ends up being critically injured himself and Ben-Hur wins. Unfortunately, before he dies his friend tells him his family is not dead but at a Leper Colony. Ben-Hur takes his family to see Jesus but arrives to late and sees his crucifixion. Luckily Ben-Hur learns that forgiveness is important and they are cured. I found this movie to be long and a bit confusing. It has a cast of famous actors but the movie was made a long time ago and I don’t think many are still alive. There is talk of a re-make. Both the battle at sea and the chariot race are very exciting parts of the film which I found really enjoyable. There was high drama and tension as you didn’t know what would happen next.