Movies like Ben-Hur (1959)

Ben-Hur (1959)

United StatesG222Min

8.1 ( 260K Votes )87 %

After a Jewish prince is betrayed and sent into slavery by a Roman friend in 1st-century Jerusalem, he regains his freedom and comes back for revenge. Judah Ben-Hur, a wealthy merchant in Judea, is living under the oppressive Roman Empire. When his old friend and now Roman Tribune, Messala, asks for Judah's help in rounding up local dissenters, Judah refuses to betray his own people. In retaliation, Messala frames the Hur family for an assassination attempt. Judah is condemned to death as a slave in the galleys, while his sister and mother are imprisoned. After three years in captivity, Judah escapes and is rescued by a Roman admiral, Quintas Arrius. They return to Rome, where Judah becomes a rich and influential man. However, he cannot forget his vow of revenge against Messala. Along the road to Judea, Judah meets an Arab sheikh and an old wise man named Balthasar, who befriend him. Sheikh Ilderim, the sheikh, coaches Judah to ride his team of white horses in a chariot race against Messala. Judah agrees and prepares for the race. In the arena, Judah and Messala collide repeatedly, but Judah emerges victorious. Messala is gravely injured and reveals that Judah's mother and sister are alive, suffering from leprosy in a leper colony. Overwhelmed with grief and seeking release from his hatred, Judah witnesses the crucifixion of Jesus. Judah's mother and sister are miraculously healed, and Judah's heart is filled with love and forgiveness.

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