
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ(1925)
“Amazing! Thrilling! Colossal! Mighty!”
Overview
Erstwhile childhood friends, Judah Ben-Hur and Messala meet again as adults, this time with Roman officer Messala as conqueror and Judah as a wealthy, though conquered, Israelite. A slip of a brick during a Roman parade causes Judah to be sent off as a galley slave, his property confiscated and his mother and sister imprisoned. Years later, as a result of his determination to stay alive and his willingness to aid his Roman master, Judah returns to his homeland an exalted and wealthy Roman athlete. Unable to find his mother and sister, and believing them dead, he can think of nothing else than revenge against Messala.
Director
Fred Niblo
Studio
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Budget
$4M
Revenue
$9M
Cast

Ramon Novarro
as Judah Ben-Hur

Francis X. Bushman
as Messala

May McAvoy
as Esther

Betty Bronson
as Mary

Claire McDowell
as Princess of Hur

Kathleen Key
as Tirzah

Carmel Myers
as Iras

Nigel De Brulier
as Simonides

Mitchell Lewis
as Sheik Ilderim

Leo White
as Sanballat

Frank Currier
as Quintus Arrius

Charles Belcher
as Balthazar
Where to Watch
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Movie Facts
Release Year
1925
Runtime
2h 23m
Language
No Language
Rating
7.3 / 10
Budget
$4M
Box Office
$9M
Production Companies
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ?▼
Check the "Where to Watch" section above for current streaming platforms, rental options, and purchase links for Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925).
What is Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ about?▼
Erstwhile childhood friends, Judah Ben-Hur and Messala meet again as adults, this time with Roman officer Messala as conqueror and Judah as a wealthy, though conquered, Israelite. A slip of a brick during a Roman parade causes Judah to be sent off as a galley slave, his property confiscated and his mother and sister imprisoned. Years later, as a result of his determination to stay alive and his willingness to aid his Roman master, Judah returns to his homeland an exalted and wealthy Roman athlete. Unable to find his mother and sister, and believing them dead, he can think of nothing else than revenge against Messala.
Who directed Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ?▼
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ was directed by Fred Niblo and released in 1925. It is a adventure, drama, romance, action film.
How long is Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ?▼
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ has a runtime of 2 hours and 23 minutes (143 minutes total).
Who stars in Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ?▼
The cast of Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ includes Ramon Novarro as Judah Ben-Hur, Francis X. Bushman as Messala, May McAvoy as Esther, Betty Bronson as Mary, Claire McDowell as Princess of Hur and more.
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