Ben-Hur (1959)

 William Wyler's "Ben-Hur"


It seems appropriate that MGM tasked William Wyler to direct their 1959 remake of the classic silent epic, 1925's "Ben-Hur." The reason it's so appropriate is that Wyler was an assistant director on the original 1925 production. Although he would go on to film pictures over the next decade, most notably 1968's "Funny Girl," "Ben-Hur" marked a full-circle moment for the iconic Hollywood director.

Starring Charleston Heston as the titular Judah Ben Hur, who is betrayed by a Roman general and sold into slavery. After spending years in the galleys of a ship, Ben Hur saves the consulate of the vessel, earning him a high-ranking position. Using his position, he competes in the chariot races against the man who originally betrayed him. All the while, Jesus Christ and his persecution by the Roman state acts as a backdrop.

"Ben-Hur" had the largest budget and largest set build of any film produced at the time. Its epic scale, its Eastman color processing, and its epic nine minute chariot race sequence would yield beneficial for such an alarming cost. The film is perhaps the defining notion of what a Hollywood epic was in the 1950s, and remains a steadfast example of the zenith of 1950s epics.



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