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Ben Hur Reviews

1959

70
from 8276 members

This 1959 version of Lew Wallace's best-selling novel, which had already seen screen versions in 1907 and 1926, went on to win 11 Academy Awards. Adapted by Karl Tunberg and a raft of uncredited writers including Gore Vidal and Maxwell Anderson, the film once more recounts the tale of Jewish prince Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton .. Read more

Starring	Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd, Hugh Griffith
Director	William Wyler
Genres	Action/Adventure

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Critic's review of Ben Hur
View all (1)
- "...William Wyler's 1959 Roman drama still has a self-confidence and sheer scope that's jaw-dropping..."
- 9506
- - Variety
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58
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Most helpful member's review of Ben Hur
View all members' reviews (40)
- - 5
  - 0
  BEN HUR
  
  Ben-Hur tells the story of Judah Ben-Hur, a Jew in Judea in the time the Roman Empire Tiberius rules, the time that Pontius Pilate was ruler of Judea, the time ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 12227
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - a customer
  - Leicester, England
  - 25 Jul 2004 at 14:49
Most recent members' reviews of Ben Hur
View all members' reviews (40)
- - 0
  - 0
  A Masterpiece
  
  Nothing more to add really, this film is probably the best film ever screened and a great blueray transfer to boot.
  
  Report this review
- 1045879
- - Rasp
  - 12 reviews
  - Harlow
  - 28 Sep 2011 at 22:18
- - 0
  - 0
  Awesome Chariot Racing
  
  Breathtaking Chariot Racing. Very well shot. Gripping movie and amazed to see such a long race shot with visual grandeur way back in 1959. This shows how ahead ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1007862
- - Gopa
  - 3 reviews
  - 21 Jun 2011 at 13:20
- - 0
  - 0
  Watch it, Enough Said
  
  What an epic film. It may be three and a half hours long but the story will keeps moving quickly and the time flies by. Much more deserving of its 11 academy ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 941299
- - geeward88
  - 15 reviews
  - Manchester
  - 21 Nov 2010 at 12:01
- - 0
  - 0
  Ben Hur
  
  Even though this film is over 50 years old it was still exciting to watch. Chariot race was the best part!
  
  Report this review
- 867251
- - allypally
  - 70 reviews
  - Basingstoke
  - 28 Feb 2010 at 17:08
- - 0
  - 0
  A classic
  
  Excellent old style epic if slightly overlong. I remember the chariot race from when I was a kid and it doesn't disappoint, but, there is a good story here ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 861232
- - AlfieG
  - 23 reviews
  - Thurrock, England
  - 13 Feb 2010 at 19:13
- - 0
  - 0
  Spectacular!
  
  A classic movie in the best Hollywood tradition. Great spectacle, especially the chariot race. So many fine performances from the principals. Charlton Heston, ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 852337
- - Donensian
  - 100 reviews
  - Doncaster
  - 22 Jan 2010 at 17:45
- - 0
  - 0
  Great Film
  
  Yeah it was a bit long...I think 3 and a bit hours but was well worth it.
  
  Report this review
- 849201
- - a customer
  - London
  - 14 Jan 2010 at 17:49
- - 0
  - 0
  Ben Hur
  
  A classic, Well made (mind you the budget did not exist) Charleton heston plays up a storm. It is said 'revenge is a dish best served cold' but to ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 809021
- - plumber
  - 2 reviews
  - Livingston
  - 10 Sep 2009 at 09:41
- - 0
  - 0
  Disjointed
  
  Enjoyment of film spoiled by the 4 disc format
  
  Report this review
- 745680
- - a customer
  - belfast
  - 20 Apr 2009 at 21:58
- - 0
  - 0
  DETAILS OF BONUS FEATURES PLEASE
  
  My wish is that LoveFilm will display details of bonus features on DVDs in future advertising. If I already know a film then it may be I only want to rent it ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 725603
- - a customer
  - Harrogate
  - 13 Mar 2009 at 16:15
View all members' reviews (40)

- - 5
  - 0
  BEN HUR
  
  Ben-Hur tells the story of Judah Ben-Hur, a Jew in Judea in the time the Roman Empire Tiberius rules, the time that Pontius Pilate was ruler of Judea, the time ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 12227
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - a customer
  - Leicester, England
  - 25 Jul 2004 at 14:49
- - 5
  - 0
  What a film!
  
  I always assumed I wouldn't like this so have ignored it for many years, but with the quality of football on the box last sunday, I gave it a go.
  read more »
  
  Report this review
- 349174
- - russlough
  - Berkshire
  - 23 Sep 2005 at 17:04
- - 3
  - 0
  Not bad...
  
  ...just not quite as good as the earlier silent version, in my estimation. A bit needlessly overlong I think. Why else is there a five minute long 'overture... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 156295
- - KarlF
  - London, England
  - 03 Oct 2005 at 13:25
- - 2
  - 0
  It is long, made ...
  
  It is long, made before computer technology and heavy going at times, but it is still one of the best movies ever made... For all today's amazing effects, ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 49077
- - Hamish#2
  - LONDON
  - 07 Oct 2004 at 23:16
- - 1
  - 0
  Ben Hur (1959)
  
  You need to put aside a lot of time to watch this biblical epic from start to finish, but worth every minute.
  
  Report this review
- 59501
- - a customer
  - London
  - 17 Dec 2004 at 10:26
- - 0
  - 0
  AN EPIC MOVIE!
  
  ' Ben Hur' is based on real events. the ending is really sad with Jesus carrying the cross on his shoulders. earlier moments are also fantastic such as ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 8464
- - a customer
  - NEWCASTLE
  - 27 Jun 2004 at 17:31
- - 0
  - 0
  great
  
  great dvd. super colour, feast on the eye. Really enjoyed movie.
  
  Report this review
- 14709
- - a customer
  - derry
  - 14 Aug 2004 at 13:49
- - 0
  - 0
  found this film quite ...
  
  found this film quite laborious due to its frankly excessive length. i found that the film began quite strongly but increasingly meandered without clear ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 33957
- - hb#1
  - WAKEFIELD
  - 23 Apr 2004 at 16:03
- - 1
  - 1
  This film is a classic...
  
  This film is a classic. I didn't want to give it five stars purely due to my hatred of Charlton Heston, but this film does have everything that is needed. ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 36727
- - Nicho#1
  - FALLOWFIELD
  - 24 May 2004 at 12:11
- - 0
  - 0
  classic
  
  great movie. took 20 min to get going but enjoyed it
  
  Report this review
- 68134
- - a customer
  - england
  - 30 Jan 2005 at 14:51

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Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- Ben-Hur - Blu-ray
  
  Anno Domini: the seventh year of Augustus Caesar's reign. In the Roman province of Judea, Jews return to the city of their birth for the census. A bright star in the night over Bethlehem marks the birth of Jesus Christ. Years later, Roman commander Messala (Stephen Boyd), who was brought up in ...

- - Buy
- Ben Hur
  
  This 1959 version of Lew Wallace's best-selling novel, which had already seen screen versions in 1907 and 1926, went on to win 11 Academy Awards. Adapted by Karl Tunberg and a raft of uncredited writers including Gore Vidal and Maxwell Anderson, the film once more recounts the tale of Jewish prince ...