Ben-Hur (1959)

Actors: Ady Berber (actor), Hugh Billingsley (actor), Stephen Boyd (actor), Jerry Brown (actor), Robert Brown (actor), Lando Buzzanca (actor), Joe Canutt (actor), Otello Capanna (actor), Emile Carrer (actor), Richard Coleman (actor), Antonio Corevi (actor), Michael Cosmo (actor), Finlay Currie (actor), Finlay Currie (actor), Les Ballets Africains (actor),

Plot: Judah Ben-Hur lives as a rich Jewish prince and merchant in Jerusalem at the beginning of the 1st century. Together with the new governor his old friend Messala arrives as commanding officer of the Roman legions. At first they are happy to meet after a long time but their different politic views separate them. During the welcome parade a roof tile falls down from Judah's house and injures the governor. Although Messala knows they are not guilty, he sends Judah to the galleys and throws his mother and sister into prison. But Judah swears to come back and take revenge.

Keywords: 1st-century, 70mm-film, adopted-son, adoption, adoptive-father-adopted-son-relationship, adrift, adult-adoption, amputation, amputee, ancient-rome
Genres: Adventure, Drama,
Taglines: A Tale of the Christ It's an insane world, but still there's one sanity that remains; the LOYALTY of old friends!! The World's Most Honored Motion Picture The Entertainment Experience of a Lifetime!

Quotes:

Judah Ben-Hur: If you were not a bride, I would kiss you goodbye.::Esther: If I were not a bride, there would be no goodbyes to be said.

1st Jailer: [looking in records] Miriam, wife... Tirzah, daughter.::Drusus: Yes, they're the ones. Are they alive?::1st Jailer: [examining the records, he is pessimistic] East section... lower level. Cell two. The jailer in that wing will know.::[Drusus is led down various passages into the lower dungeons]::Drusus: How long since you've seen them?::2nd Jailer: Never - and I've been here three years. But they're alive, all right.::2nd Jailer: [after demonstrating a slot in the bottom of the cell door] The food disappears.

Simonides: Judah-Ben Hur! You've come back to us like a returning faith! Oh Judah, I should like to laugh again. Let us laugh!::Judah Ben-Hur: We will laugh.::Simonides: There will be joy again in this house! We will celebrate! Among the dust and cobwebs...::[Simonides sobs]

Sheik Ilderim: Balthasar is a good man. But until all men are like him, we must keep our swords bright!::Judah Ben-Hur: And our intentions true! So I must leave you.::Sheik Ilderim: One last thought: There is no law in the arena; many are killed... I hope to see you again, Judah Ben-Hur.

Judah Ben-Hur: [dipping a hand in a stream] When the Romans were marching me to the galleys, thirst had almost killed me. A man gave me water to drink, and I went on living. I should have done better if I'd poured it into the sand!::Balthasar: No.::Judah Ben-Hur: I'm thirsty still.

Pontius Pilate: A grown man knows the world he lives in. For the moment, that world is Rome.

Quintus Arrius: In his eagerness to save you, your God has also saved the Roman fleet.

Quintus Arrius: Now listen to me, all of you. You are all condemned men. We keep you alive to serve this ship. So row well, and live.

Messala: By condemning without hesitation an old friend, I shall be feared.

Sextus: You can break a man's skull, you can arrest him, you can throw him into a dungeon. But how do you control what's up here? [taps his head] How do you fight an idea?