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Ben-Hur
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Ben-Hur

1959
Romance
Drama
3h 32m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 65.23% from 3675 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(3674)
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Rated 20 Jun 2016
100
97th
Everything about this movie is epic, including the pee I had to take when it was over.
Rated 04 Oct 2021
90
95th
Epic but it didn't feel that long, until after the chariot race was over and everything just dragged on and on. I see it's a tale of the Christ, but that whole plot could have been taken out altogether and we'd get a tighter Count of Monte Cristo. Heston, while his looks weren't leading man, had the charisma to play someone who was friends with everyone. Fav scenes: sea battle; chariot race was a spectacle of filmmaking and real feeling of guys getting trampled. Podracing has nothing on this.
Rated 14 Feb 2009
84
82nd
The chariot race was extreme.
Rated 05 Sep 2007
100
99th
This film is actually a remake of a 1925 film. Ex-General Lew Wallace wrote this during the time when he was territorial governor of NM. It's a great book and it had the potential for a great movie - which director Wyler accomplished. All the top cast, though constrained by the dialog constraints of a Biblical epic, really do their parts well. It's a great effort on many levels - drama, action, a love story and how heroism can be felt and displayed. An awesome and still impressive movie!
Rated 10 Jan 2012
62
37th
I was only really engaged with the story when Judah and Messala were interacting with each other, culminating with the great chariot race sequence. The rest of the film felt extremely trite and artificial to me. It's a well made movie, but I don't plan on watching it ever again.
Rated 23 Sep 2010
73
52nd
I can certainly appreciate the film's standout scenes. The chariot race and the naval battle are both choreographed perfectly and keep viewers on edge with suspense. But the film's ultimate message about forgiveness and salvation feels pretty hokey and hamhanded. This is especially noticeable in the final hour (after race), when the pacing drags and the conflicts the film has telegraphed for hours already unravel at a snail's pace (By the end I was almost shouting "Just give Jesus the water!")
Rated 22 Dec 2015
7
57th
A lavish epic that is ultimately weighed down by its bloated running time. While some parts are undeniably impressive to watch, others come off as long-winded and wholly unnecessary. And let's face it, the entire plot is rendered redundant, were it not for the clumsiness of Judah's sister, or the absence of a competent roof tiler. Dat chariot race, though.
Rated 14 Jun 2016
95
97th
Undoubtedly a classic. While some of the religious sentiments seem a little unnecessary in the greater course of things, this film has all the makings of an epic. Grandiose action sequences, a wonderful director with a knack for camera work, and a swashbuckling lead in front of a stellar cast. Amazing film, and one to always be remembered.
Rated 19 May 2016
95
95th
We must include a huge Hollywood production (thank you director, William Wyler) with one of the greats (Charleton Heston) authentic costumes and great scenic backdrops. This film resulted in 11 Academy awards, a feat only equaled by Titantic and The Lord of the Rings, the Return of the King. This is the Biblical epic that outdoes them all with a musical score you will have difficulty getting out of your head.
Rated 20 Jan 2011
92
97th
I envy the person watching this one for the very first time. This film is pure perfection. Dramatically, an amazing story in every single way and an acting which is as pure as it can be. 4 hours of finger licking.
Rated 02 Jun 2008
73
44th
Thus began my unnatural obsession with Charlton Heston, but upon re-watching I found that this movie is really only epic because it wastes it's time with unnecessary story. There's about an hour and a half, maybe two, of a really good movie here, but simply too much other stuff.
Rated 05 Jun 2007
90
86th
Now here's an epic for you. A better Roman Empire movie than _Gladiator_ and a better Jesus movie than _The Passion of the Christ_ at the same time
Rated 10 Feb 2009
90
94th
Remember back in the days when being betrayed and sold into slavery was a new concept? Now it seems like everyone's doing it. Way to go Heston for being the pioneer of a movement!
Rated 15 Aug 2007
88
90th
A classic. A movie lover-must see.
Rated 10 Apr 2012
90
93rd
If cinema means anything to you, this is one of the films on a very "short" list, which I would suggest is a "must see". Not only for the eipc scenes but for the lesson in how to handle emotion. Whilst Charlton Heston is not THAT brilliant an actor, he is "made of the right stuff" in this role, and he and Stephen Boyd are simply superb. I can watch the chariot race over and over again and still marvel at how it was made without killing a bus load of people. Just a wonderful film.
Rated 31 Jan 2009
90
96th
A classic. Epic in scope, vintage Heston period piece, and one of the best racing scenes ever filmed.
Rated 26 May 2015
70
71st
Unfortunately the ending turns away from an interesting and epic political story of Rome vs. Judea, which this movie does not provide any ending whatsoever for, towards a shoehorned, shallow and melodramatic story about Jezus and the mother and sister of Ben-Hur.
Rated 06 Jun 2008
100
98th
One of the best films ever shot!
Rated 23 Oct 2014
95
97th
An epic epic.
Rated 21 Nov 2010
90
91st
There has been at least four remakes of this film and NOT ONE has ever, and I don't think it will, surpass this '59 epic film. William Wyler's remake of the biblical tale changed and inspired many of Hollywood's filmmakers to create films that change our view of the world, and perhaps beyond it. It still remains as a work of historical epic cinema. Charlton Heston's performance will forever be remembered as his finest role in his career; I personally consider him the "godfather of all actors".
Rated 03 Mar 2009
97
91st
A beautiful epic about Christ and good old fashioned revenge in the arena. A paradox you say? Perhaps. Heston's performance was one of the most radiant and touching I have seen. Im also a fan of ancient Roman culture, pretty much concluding this as a top 10 all time favorite.
Rated 07 Nov 2009
80
82nd
An epic in every sense of the word, but Wyler has major contributions to cinema.
Rated 26 Aug 2007
90
86th
Ramming speed!
Rated 07 Mar 2008
80
74th
Nobody does Bible flicks like Troy McClure....I mean, Charlton Heston. Don't know if the totally dispensable overtures from the DVD were apart of the theater experience as well, but DAMN! Could this movie have been any effing longer? Not the best chariot scenes ever filmed, but pretty damned good. A surefire staple for the Jesus crowd, and a solid movie for everyone else. But don't watch it on a day when you've got other shit to do.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
74th
Sweeping Hollywood epic, made during that era when filmmakers were going all out with massive, lavish productions to lure back audiences siphoned off by TV. Good acting, great action, enjoyable story.
Rated 03 Jan 2014
89
73rd
Uneven, but in terms of epic scope and grand spectacle, Ben-Hur still ranks among Hollywood's finest examples of pure entertainment.
Rated 24 Jun 2007
73
23rd
If they lost some of the first 40 minutes, and all of the last 40, this would be a solid revenge tale. That would probably miss whatever point those 80 minutes were trying to make, though. The chariot race is impressive.
Rated 13 Aug 2007
76
47th
For the most part a good movie, but it's longer than it needs to be and at times feels muddled. The set up is interesting and the tale of revenge that comes out of it is good enough to keep your interest even through the occasional detours the film makes. The chariot race is the culmination of this and is every bit as great as expected; there's tension and excitement and it pays off greatly. Unfortunately, there's 40 minutes after it and while they're not terrible they're not very good e
Rated 24 Aug 2016
50
28th
So like, Judah Ben-Hur was Moses? I heard Moses complain about damn, dirty apes, and say something about prying a gun from his cold, dead hands. Man, the bible is so confusing.
Rated 21 Jan 2013
65
33rd
Sure it's epic, but I can't really say the expense was really worth it. There are good moments, but they are few and far between. I also didn't expect so much Jesus in the film. Not necessarily a bad thing, but it kind of took me by surprise.
Rated 14 Jan 2009
84
88th
Regardless of the absurd context, the film is incredibly epic and well done. It's been years since I saw it - probably fifteen or more, but even at such a young age it was very influential.
Rated 04 Jan 2012
75
51st
could have been great without the religious "fairy tale" stuff! should have ended after the race.
Rated 29 Jul 2012
20
30th
The lush colors and impressive sets made this moderately entertaining. The ship battle scene and the chariot race scenes were also impressively done. However, the more I think about the story the emptier it feels - especially considering the length - and the ending was pretty ridiculous Christian nonsense. Also, Charlton Heston wasn't very convincing leading man.
Rated 18 Jul 2011
65
28th
Hyped. For sure a great movie back in 1959, especially the chariot race is epic. However it's one and a half hours too long, there are some quite protracted parts. I also don't see the point of saying "It was great, because all the ideas were new back then" ... could trade my LCD for a black-and-white CRT using the same argument. Nevertheless a solid movie.
Rated 30 Nov 2012
80
90th
This is a truly epic film. It's quite long, and although I wouldn't say it was ever boring, it did feel long. I found the way in which the story and lead character were interspersed with Christian mythology quite interesting. The famous chariot race sequence was definitely the highlight and an impressive piece of filmmaking. It's really just a good, entertaining story with some nice human moments and good messages.
Rated 16 Mar 2012
90
65th
Love this film. Sweeping, Majestic, Thrilling, and with Chuck Heston at the helm you can't go wrong!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
68
8th
OK movie, but way too long
Rated 11 Mar 2023
100
82nd
Otra de las obras maestras de Wyler.Con una lluvia de -Oscars esta cinta épica ambientada en la época de la Roma imperial con reparto de lujo encabezado por Charlton Heston.Especialmente recordada la escena de la carrera de cuádrigas referente para público y critica.
Rated 14 Jan 2012
85
75th
Legendary epic is still well-wrought 50 years later, though some slow stretches in the mid-section, and overdone moments of self-importance (the pious Christ scenes are almost irredeemably goofy) detract. Heston is very good in the lead, but show is stolen by Boyd who is incredible as the cold Messala. Chariot race is an unequalled master-class in action film direction, and scenes involving the leper colony are deeply moving. A fine film, but contrary to reputation, not Wyler's best.
Rated 16 Apr 2022
80
74th
Personally, I don't think it justifies its nearly 4 hour length, like "Once Upon a Time in America", "Seven Samurai" or "The Irishman". Feels to slow, even for a 1950's epic. But it's huge scope and impact on film as a whole, especially with that magnificent chariot race, most certainly elevates the score. It's just as breath taking today as it was in 1959.
Rated 17 Oct 2011
25
4th
Truly a THUNDEROUS piece of shit.
Rated 26 Nov 2010
56
31st
Tedious.
Rated 01 Mar 2008
83
72nd
# 334
Rated 22 Feb 2012
70
40th
An epic of truly bibical proportions and perhaps the ultimate take on the usonian interpretation of christianism. Judah is a character that, thrown in a Job-esque misadventure ends up compelled not by faith but by the most pure hatred. His selfish grief comes really close to bring unfathomable suffering to those who love him but, in an almost absurd turn of events, his redemption comes only after being an eyewitness of the Passion. The sea battle and the chariot races are really cool though.
Rated 30 Jan 2016
73
20th
Went well for a few hours, until towards the end it started feeling more like some Hollywood made christian evangelism. Really, I couldn't care less about Jesus and his story. Wouldn't have bothered with this at all had I know what it's aiming at.
Rated 16 May 2011
78
79th
Naive but well-conceived.
Rated 29 Aug 2012
85
85th
So epic that even Jesus has to make do with a non speaking supporting role. The ending is a bit cheesy but that chariot race is worth all the praise.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
9
76th
For what this is, it's done extremely well.
Rated 17 Sep 2008
34
44th
selv Maximusscenerne holder ikke mere..
Rated 22 Aug 2022
74
38th
Meh
Rated 19 Jan 2013
30
6th
The chariot race is decent. The other big action scene, a seabound battle, consisted of boats firing flares up in the air, looking very dull, whilst the music swamps the film just to make sure we know quite how EPIC this is. The bland score reappears at every given moment not enhancing my emotional reactions but instead trying to make up for the utter lack of them. The script often drifts in to pure cheese and literally no one can act. Also the Christ bits that are added on feel smug. Awful.
Rated 04 Nov 2010
75
52nd
Long, incredibly dull and slow paced at times, too many Christian overtones. Some scenes are just mind blowing though and it gives an accurate moral lesson.
Rated 14 Mar 2015
40
19th
Huh?! I thought this is gonna be some epic adventure film, but it ends up being ridiculously dumb religious bullshit. What a lame ending.
Rated 11 Dec 2010
78
84th
Good film, but the part after the race is unnecessary. Also I didn't like the religiuos themes.
Rated 19 Mar 2007
91
87th
This is about as epic and as good as movies get.
Rated 17 May 2012
64
43rd
Some great scenes aren't enough to save this movie from seeming long and tedious at times. Decent, but certainly not classic writing.
Rated 22 Dec 2009
81
48th
Overlong and doesn't wear well, but there is some good stuff in here, like the sea battle and the chariot race.
Rated 07 Oct 2013
18
20th
shit
Rated 05 May 2008
70
37th
Major epic with a vast cast and massively powerful story and performances.
Rated 20 Oct 2018
60
26th
Sextus: "How do you fight an idea?"
Rated 30 Nov 2015
97
95th
A
Rated 10 Jun 2009
62
49th
Why is it a classic? The race is good.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
50th
A classic, but I wouldn't want to see it but once.
Rated 19 Dec 2008
84
68th
321
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
99th
My all time fav.
Rated 14 Apr 2021
74
30th
Much of Ben-Hur still stands up to the test of time, especially that remarkable chariot race which honestly could've lasted twice as long it was so enthralling. But the religious framing device ranges from unnecessary to intrusive, and soon it almost stops feeling like Ben-Hur's story. He hardly makes any decisions that impact the plot for the complete last act. And that last act does drag on. It's almost like sitting through a sermon. Before that, this is pretty good!
Rated 21 Mar 2010
85
83rd
Totally awesome dude (Ben) screws up and kills some dude Jack Kennedy style accidentally, and the Romans put him on a mother-f***in boat, rowing like crazy so he can get super-buff, and then he escapes the boat when it sinks with some important guy, who adopts him. Now that he's rich (and free), he goes back to pwn the guy who put him in the boat, only to find that he's turned his mom and sister into LEOPARDS! So, he does that horse and cart duel thing because he's awesome. The end.
Rated 06 Sep 2011
93
97th
A true epic. The horse race was fantastic. I didn't think Charlton Heston was all that great though. The last half hour was a bit preachy, and boring. The 3 hours leading up to it were great though. I haven't seen the original yet, but I may have to check it out. I think this is a notch above Kubrick's "Spartacus".
Rated 14 Dec 2013
55
50th
Very old-fashioned feeling, even for its time. The lengths it goes to cram Christianity into the story border on comical at times. Like getting a history lesson from a Sunday school teacher who can't give you two sentences about the Roman Empire without getting excited and trying to tie it back to Jesus somehow. That chariot scene is a marvel, though. A couple shots where I had to stop and say "HOLY SHIT".
Rated 05 Mar 2020
74
77th
A fine story, though a bit heavy on the embellishment.
Rated 02 Sep 2014
55
50th
"Lew Wallace's hectic potboiler-classic has everything - even leprosy." --Pauline Kael. Including a lot of really slo-o-o-o-ow stretches. And a rather embarrassing pseudo-pious score.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
89
80th
Tends to drag in some areas, but there's some really great spectacle scenes.
Rated 06 Apr 2007
85
85th
The chariot race scene is simple astonishing. Even with modern special effects to compare it too, you are genuinely terrified for the guys thundering around for the mear amusement of the populous. An undeniable classic.
Rated 28 Aug 2023
68
25th
Elements of the production are spectacular, but individual scenes drag terribly, and the performances honestly aren't great.
Rated 02 Feb 2021
2
31st
Another advertisement success of Hollywood. Chariot scene, ok. And what else do you remember, hmm? A complete waste of time.
Rated 23 Jul 2009
68
53rd
It's hard to say why, since the Christ appearance is only implied, but I got the feeling that this movie was trying to turn me into a Christian. In other words, it was only disguised as an adventure film. For example, when Hestons' Jewish hero speaks to the gladiator man in the beginning about oppression, I almost felt like a very lightly veiled Bible reference was going on (Moses perhaps?), I'm not sure why. It leaves a bad taste, though the chariot race is Very well done.
Rated 10 Jul 2020
95
86th
Charlton Heston will have his revenge!
Rated 07 Nov 2012
80
71st
hristiyanlık propagandalı dinsel sıçırtmalar içerdiğinden puan kırdım. yoksa teknik açıdan üstün; araba yarışı sahneleri falan şahane çekilmiş. (o sahnelerde ölen-yaralanan figüranlar olmayaymış daha iyiymiş tabii.)
Rated 12 Aug 2012
60
33rd
The chariot race scene and the score are both incredible. The rest of the movie is decent, but really nothing particularly special.
Rated 14 Mar 2019
90
77th
90.00
Rated 15 Mar 2014
86
87th
85.500
Rated 22 Jan 2020
83
93rd
Impressive. I have never seen a production design like that. I am not bored while watching a 4 hours film just Christ scenes bored me. Charlton Heston did an incridible job by acting Ben-Hur.
Rated 23 Feb 2007
79
91st
I watch this every year.
Rated 30 May 2009
84
81st
Top list epic film.
Rated 22 Jan 2009
90
91st
For me, this great film is a reminder of how modern epic films have lost a certain amount of authenticity. The Lord of the Rings trilogy, for example, is terrific but it completely relies on special effects - whereas this film's stunningly massive scale feels even more profound because it's REAL. Real stunts, real sets, real armies of extras. Sure, the acting and dialogue are less than perfect, but if you are distracted by that then you're missing the point.
Rated 28 Jan 2009
90
98th
Worldclass movie with Charlton Heston. Long watch, but worth it.
Rated 24 Oct 2007
80
58th
I saw this when I was a kid. All I remember is the chariot race and the lepers. But it's a classic epic, so see it, despite the presence of the always boring Heston.
Rated 21 Apr 2010
84
97th
ger; [Ben Hur]; ein jüdischer adelsmann wird durch seinen sandkastenfreund betrogen und in die sklaverei gezwungen, doch er erhält seine freiheit zurück und sinnt nach rache.;
Rated 18 Aug 2016
65
61st
A film always remembered more for its game-changing set piece (yes, the chariot race, of course) than for its core message -- a story of betrayal, revenge and ultimately redemption of a rich Jewish that only finds peace after meeting Jesus (we never see his face, but I'm sure it's him).
Rated 17 Oct 2020
82
98th
An extravagant movie directed by a man that knows how to tell a story using film.
Rated 28 Dec 2011
72
61st
A lot more religiously charged than I thought it would be, though I did go into it with almost no prior knowledge. The subtitle is "a tale of the christ" but that really is more of a sub-plot to this film. In fact, the whole thing is pretty unrelated to the main plot. That element seemed awkwardly handled to me, but the main story is otherwise extremely well done. Love the effects, particularly in the chariot race.
Rated 15 Jun 2012
74
62nd
yahudi soylusu, cocukluk arkadasi, romalilar, yahudiler, araplar, ilk hristyanlar, Kaza, kürek mahkumu, köle, deniz savasi, hayat kurtarmak, evlatlik, tiberius, cüzzam, atli araba yarisi, hz. isa, carmiga gerilme, mucize, sakin kahraman
Rated 08 Aug 2007
48
16th
MASSIVELY overrated
Rated 05 Oct 2008
80
84th
Pretentious but nevertheless GRAND in every sense of the word - and not just for the sake of being epic. Wyler manages to keep focus on the personal, intimate and timeless story and uses a lot of modern filmmaking techniques too - for instance with the exceptional almost expressionistic dark lighting. And, of course, the production design and special effects are, well, truly fantastic compared to today's often-crappy-CGI-standard
Rated 06 Feb 2010
95
86th
really long thats why it got -5
Rated 03 Aug 2011
75
63rd
Bit of a long slog, and Charlton Heston grimaces and sweats a lot, but still worth seeing once.
Rated 01 Mar 2010
80
70th
The definition of epic, nearly four hours long yet never boring and it never disappoints the viewer. Heston and Boyd are fantastic.
Rated 03 Jul 2021
80
78th
Epic. Bookended by a quieter religious story, most of Ben-Hur follows the escapades of a high-born Jew who becomes a slave during the Roman empire. A four-hour movie is going to have some faults, but except for the major tonal change right after that amazing chariot racing scene, it still holds up well today. (Am I the only one who idly wondered about a Ten Commandments - Ben-Hur - Spartacus triple feature?)
Rated 07 Feb 2010
98
99th
What can anyone say for Ben-Hur? It's probably the best movie ever, even if the last scene isn't what it should be. The best actors of the age made their best performance and the script was just perfect!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
60th
This goes on for a very long time, a great story.

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