A Timeless Cinematic Legend: Ben-Hur

Imagine a film that has it all: love, war, friendship, betrayal, faith, and history. Not only that, but it stands as one of the most Oscar-decorated films of all time. Today, we’re diving into the 1959 masterpiece that achieved all of this: Ben-Hur.

Don’t let the release date fool you into thinking this is just some dusty relic; as the title suggests, this film is truly timeless. The visual effects hold up remarkably well even by today’s standards. Often, older action movies lose their luster because their effects feel simplistic, but Ben-Hur still commands attention. Every action sequence in the film was crafted with meticulous care—perhaps that is exactly why it remains so compelling today.

Our story begins in the year zero. I can hear you thinking, “Wait, how does that work?” Well, in the Gregorian calendar, the year zero is essentially marked by the birth of Jesus Christ, and that is exactly where our film begins. In the opening scenes, we see the Star of Bethlehem shining, followed by the sight of the infant Jesus in the manger. At this point, you might assume—just as audiences did when it was first released—that this is a strictly religious film. But in reality, that’s not quite the full picture.

The film revolves around our protagonist, a wealthy Jewish prince named Judah Ben-Hur. His life is turned upside down by the return of his childhood friend, the Roman soldier Messala. Messala seeks Ben-Hur’s help in suppressing a potential Jewish uprising and uniting against the new preacher, Jesus. However, Ben-Hur refuses to betray his own people, and in turn, faces the ultimate betrayal by his own childhood friend. We’ll skip the finer plot details to avoid spoilers; instead, let’s focus on how such a monumental masterpiece came to be. The production was staggering: it utilized 100,000 costumes, 8,000 extras, and 300 different sets. Director William Wyler spared no expense. Staying true to the epic film format of the era, the movie includes a 7-minute “Overture” at the start, along with an “Intermission” and “Entr’acte” (intermission music) halfway through, each lasting about 4 minutes. During these moments, the audience sees no visuals—sometimes just a black screen or a static image—while a grand orchestra plays in the background.

While the film is packed with significant scenes, the most gripping is undoubtedly the arena sequence. We watch this 15-minute chariot race unfold, featuring a massive number of horses. There were no computer-generated effects used here; it was filmed in a truly massive, purpose-built arena. Lead actor Charlton Heston spent six months learning to drive chariot teams before filming even began, becoming a master of the arena. Every bit of this 214-minute epic is filled with grand sets, incredible costumes, a brilliant script, and stellar performances. So much so that our lead actor took home the Oscar for Best Actor. In total, the film won 11 of the 12 Academy Awards for which it was nominated—a record that remained unbroken until Titanic arrived in 1997. In modern cinema, the only other film that rivals it in sheer scale and quality is The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003).

It’s easy to see why the film received top marks from critics. With its powerful script, incredible cast, lavish costumes, and sweeping score, it captures every element of cinema at its absolute best. But what did the audience think? Often, we see a disconnect between critics and moviegoers when a film hits theaters. Was that the case for Ben-Hur? Fortunately for the director, cast, and producers, Ben-Hur was a rare case where audiences and critics were in perfect harmony. The audience watched a man wronged, fighting for justice and his eventual return, and perhaps they found a piece of themselves in his struggle. Maybe they empathized with the injustices he suffered, or perhaps they saw themselves in the love story. Maybe the war narrative caught their attention, or perhaps they were intrigued by how this man’s life intersected with the life of Jesus Christ. Regardless of who you are or where you’re from, you’re bound to feel a deep resonance when you watch Ben-Hur.

Despite its 214-minute runtime, you’ll find the film flows as effortlessly as a river. You’ll find yourself rooting for Judah Ben-Hur as if he were a close friend. You’ll lose yourself in the action sequences, marveling at how such realistic and perfect shots were achieved back in 1959. Regardless of what you expect going in, we can guarantee one thing: you will never, ever regret watching this film. If you don’t believe us, you can watch the legendary 16-minute arena scene below:

References and Further Reading

Originally published in Turkish at Doğa Filozofu.