Ben-Hur 1959

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Ben-Hur ★★★★ 1959

The third film version of the Lew Wallace classic stars Heston in the role of a Palestinian Jew battling the Roman empire at the time of Christ. Won a record 11 Oscars. The breathtaking chariot race is still one of the best screen races today. Perhaps one of the greatest pictures of all time. Also available in letterbox format. 212m/C VHS, DVD . Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd, Haya Harareet, Hugh Griffith, Martha Scott, Sam Jaffe, Cathy O'Donnell, Finlay Currie; D: William Wyler; W: Karl Tunberg; C: Robert L. Surtees; M: Miklos Rozsa. Oscars '59: Actor (Heston), Art Dir./ Set Dec., Color, Color Cinematog., Costume Des. (C), Director (Wyler), Film Editing, Picture, Sound, Support. Actor (Griffith), Orig. Dramatic Score; AFI '98: Top 100; British Acad. '59: Film; Directors Guild '59: Director (Wyler); Golden Globes '60: Director (Wyler), Film—Drama, Support. Actor (Boyd), Natl. Film Reg. '04;; N.Y. Film Critics '59: Film.