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Ben-Hur (1959) is a depiction of the traditional story of the Nativity of Jesus Christ. With this article, know the plot and summary of this movie.

Ben-Hur (1959)

Directed by William Wyler, Ben-Hur or Benhur is an epic film based on the 1880 novel 'Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ', written by former Civil War General Lew Wallace. The movie stars Charlton Heston, Stephen Boyd, Martha Scott and Cathy O'Donnell in the lead roles. One of the most honored and an award-winning film of all times, Ben-Hur is a perfect and exciting piece of depiction of the Nativity of Jesus Christ. Tune into this flick to make your Easter celebrations truly festive and religious. Read through the following lines to check out the plot and summary of Ben-Hur.

Story
Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston) is a rich Jewish prince and merchant residing in Jerusalem in AD 26. Childhood friend and now a military tribune, Messala (Stephen Boyd) enters as the commanding officer of the Roman garrison. Though happy to be re-united, their political views keep them at a distance. Ben-Hur, along with mother Miriam (Martha Scott) and sister Tirzah (Cathy O'Donnell), welcome their slave Simonides (Sam Jaffe) and his daughter Esther (Haya Harareet). Simonides is preparing for his daughter's wedding and Ben-Hur gifts freedom to Esther as her wedding present. Soon, both get attracted to each other.

During the welcome parade for new governor of Judea Valerius Gratus, a tile accidentally falls off from Ben-Hur's house, thereby nearly killing the governor. Despite of knowing the fact that it was an accident, Messala sends Ben-Hur to the galleys and imprisons his mother and sister. Ben-Hur promises to return and take revenge. The film continues with Ben-Hur and his slave gang reaching Nazareth where he collapses, but is saved by a local carpenter named Jesus. Three years later, Ben-Hur is assigned to the flagship of Consul Quintus Arrius (Jack Hawkins) and asked to destroy a fleet of Macedonian pirates. His self-discipline and resolve gives him an opportunity to be trained as a gladiator under the commander.

However, Ben-Hur denies the offer stating that God will help him. While preparing for the battle, all rowers, but Ben-Hur, are chained. While Arrius's galley is ramming and sinking, Ben-Hur unchains other rowers and saves his and Arrius's life. All charges against Ben-Hur are dropped and Arrius adopts him as his son. He learns Roman ways and becomes a champion charioteer. He returns to Judea and comes to know about the upcoming race and Messala's participation in the same. He also learns the fact that Ether was still waiting for him. He visits Messala enquiring about his mother and sister, but comes to know that since both had contracted leprosy, they were expelled from the city.

The race begins. While attempting to tear apart competing chariots, Messala ends up destroying his own chariot and Ben-Hur wins the race. Just before dying, Messala informs that Ben-Hur's mother and sister are in the Valley of the Lepers. The movie returns back to Jesus at this point. Ben-Hur takes his ailing mother and sister to Jesus on the hope of getting them healed. But, Jesus is already been tried and crucified. Miriam and Tirzah are healed and so are Ben-Hur's heart and soul.