The entertainment experience of a lifetime.|Nov. 18, 1959|United States|222 Min.|G
Genre: Action;Drama;History
Description: Ben-Hur, released in 1959, is a classic film available for download in English at 720p and 480p resolutions.
The story begins with the birth of a baby in Bethlehem, visited by shepherds and Magi. Set in A.D. 26, the narrative follows Judah Ben-Hur, a wealthy Jewish prince and merchant living in Jerusalem with his mother, Miriam, and sister, Tirzah. Simonides, a loyal family slave, and his daughter, Esther, visit the family. Judah and Esther, meeting after years apart, develop feelings for each other, though Esther is already betrothed to another.
Judah’s childhood friend, Messala, returns to Jerusalem as the commander of the Fortress of Antonia. Their friendship is strained by their differing beliefs—Messala is devoted to Roman imperialism, while Judah is committed to his faith and the freedom of the Jewish people. Their conflict deepens when Messala demands that Judah identify potential rebels to the Roman authorities.
During a parade for the new governor of Judea, Valerius Gratus, loose tiles fall from Judah’s house, nearly killing Gratus. Despite knowing it was an accident, Messala sentences Judah to the galleys and imprisons Miriam and Tirzah. Simonides, who confronts Messala, is also jailed. Judah vows revenge. While being marched to the galleys, he is denied water by Roman soldiers but is revived by Jesus, who offers him water.
After three years as a galley slave, Judah is assigned to the flagship of Roman Consul Quintus Arrius, tasked with battling Macedonian pirates. Arrius admires Judah’s resilience and offers to train him as a gladiator or charioteer, but Judah declines.
The film explores themes of faith, revenge, and freedom, making it a timeless masterpiece.
Cast director: William Wyler
Cast actor: Charlton Heston, Haya Harareet, Stephen Boyd, Martha Scott, Cathy O’Donnell, Jack Hawkins, Sam Jaffe, Hugh Griffith, Finlay Currie, Frank Thring
Original name: Ben-Hur