The movie finally premiered on November 18, 1959, almost seven years after it was first announced.ģ. The shoot took nine months, with another six months of post-production. The cameras finally began rolling in May 1958. Pre-production began at Rome's fabled Cinecittà Studios in October 1957. But development didn't kick into gear until 1956, when Paramount's ' The Ten Commandments' proved the profitability of a massive Biblical epic.Ģ. Over the next few years, the studio continued to float possible versions of the project, with such leading men as Stewart Granger, Robert Taylor, and Marlon Brando supposedly attached to star. MGM first announced it was planning a remake of the 1925 silent classic 'Ben-Hur' (based, in turn, on Lew Wallace's best-selling 1880 novel) in late 1952.

Plus, it contained that 11-minute chariot race, perhaps the most celebrated action sequence of all time.īefore you see the new version, here are the behind-the-scenes details of this epic classic.ġ. Not only was the 3-hour, 32-minute film the most expensive movie made up to that time, but it also won a record 11 Academy Awards. After all, the beloved 1959 version starring Charlton Heston as the title character was one of the most lavish epics in movie history. Each has everything to lose.Īfter the prince's victory in the chariot race, news arrives of his mother and sister.The new ' Ben-Hur' (opening August 19) has mighty big sandals to fill. The biggest day of Ben Hur 's life dawns -the chariot race with Messala.Įach has staked his fortune on the outcome. He now returns in search of his mother and sister. Judah Ben Hur has been falsely accused of attempted murder, sent to the galleys and rescued by Arrius of Rome. The other is known as 'He that was born to be King of the Jews.' One is a prince of Jerusalem, Judah Ben Hur. That day changes Ben-Hur’s life forever, for that is the day he becomes a believer. On the road to find them, Ben-Hur meets the Christ as he is on the road to Golgotha to be crucified. As Messala is dying from being crushed in a chariot race, he reveals where Ben-Hur’s family is. Because of an unfortunate accident, Ben-Hur is sent as a slave in the mines, while his family is sent to leprosy caves.

His old friend, Messala, arrives as commanding officer of the Roman legions. Judah Ben-Hur lives as a rich Jewish prince and merchant in Jerusalem at the beginning of the first century. Lew Wallace's epic tale, first published in 1880.ĭramatised in four parts by Catherine Czerkawska.įirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1995.

Leo wallace ben hur