65 Years of Ben Hur

In 1880, Lew Wallace wrote a contemporary Christian novel that centers around a Jewish prince who would eventually be adopted by the Roman crown. This great charioteer would go on a long path that would include the themes of faith and forgiveness.

The movie would be adapted for the screen first in 1925 during the silent film era. It would score big with a remake featuring an all-star cast in 1959. The remake would win eleven Oscars and be preserved by the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.

The movie follows Judah Ben Hur, a Jewish prince and merchant from Jerusalem. He is imprisoned by his friend Messala, a Roman soldier for the Republic during the Republic's occupation under Herod the Great. Ben Hur was part of a revolt to overtake the Romans. He nearly dies of dehydration when a carpenter (Jesus) gives him a drink of water.

Ben Hur would be a galley slave for the Roman navy. After three years, Ben Hur was watched by Roman Consul Quintus Arrius, who took him on his flagship. Ben Hur rescues Arrius from going overboard and saves him from taking his life. Ben Hur would go to Rome and develop his skills as a charioteer.

When Ben Hur confronts Messala and finds the whereabouts of his family, who are stricken by leprosy. He learns that they are dead and seeks revenge by competing in a chariot race. Ben Hur would win, yet he learns that his family is alive. He rejects his Roman citizenship and patrimony while taking his family to find Jesus Christ who gave him water before a Roman soldier intervened.

Ben Hur tries to help him get water when he falls while carrying his cross, but a Roman soldier prevents him from doing so. His family was cured of leprosy, and they were all rejoicing at this miracle.

The movie has a great deal of faith and forgiveness. While this movie is not fact-based, it provides some authentic historical context. The family relied on faith to be cured of leprosy.

This is a must-watch classic for all. It is timeless. It teaches us to have faith in trying times and never stop believing in miracles. It is three and a half hours, but it is worth the watch with a good flow and extraordinary cinematic moments of the film.