Originally a novel by Lewis Lew Wallace, a Union general in the American Civil War, and the Governor of New Mexico, ‘Ben-Hur’ was published in 1880. It was later adapted for the stage, and there are at least three film versions: one classic silent film in 1925, another classic in 1959, and one remake in 2016.
The 1959 film, directed by William Wyler, starring Charlton Heston, is by far the best known version. This colourful version was the most expensive film ever made up to its time, and the most expensive film of the 50s. It took six years to prepare for the film shoot, and had over six months of on location work in Italy, with thousands of extras.
At the Academy Award ceremony in 1960, ‘Ben-Hur’ made a clean sweep. It was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and won 11, missing only Adapted Screenplay. The film won Best Picture, Wyler won Best Director, Heston won Best Actor, and Hugh Griffith took home Best Supporting Actor. The 11 Oscars set a record, since matched by ‘Titanic’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ but still not beaten.
Picture Credit : Google
