Critic Reviews

Ben-Hur (1959) Rank 3 Reviews

Expert Review Summary

Movie critics combined give Ben-Hur (1959) a score of 3.6107 out of 4

based on (84) reviews

Click on the numbers to the right of the graph to see reviews of that rating

Excellent

(67)

Very Good

(14)

Good

(3)

Fair

(0)

Poor

(0)

Reviews by Score:

DVD MovieGuide

Ben-Hur is formally subtitled â��A Story of the Christâ��, but thatâ��s a bit of an exaggeration. Frankly, I want to know who Jesusâ�� agent is; the guy only makes a few bit appearances in the flick and he gets top billing! Well, he plays a bigger role ...read the complete Ben-Hur movie review at DVD MovieGuide

The Rewind Forums - 4 disc CE DVD review

There are few films that are etched into peopleâ��s consciousness, films that transcend time and culture that break boundaries and are an experience to be shared by all. â��Ben-Hurâ�� is one such film, a film that when released in 1959 was greeted with ...read the complete Ben-Hur movie review at The Rewind Forums - 4 disc CE DVD review

The DVD Report (Britt Gillette)

Charlton Heston plays the title role of Judah Ben-Hur, an Israelite prince during the reign of Tiberius. Young and wealthy, Ben-Hur enjoys the finer aspects of life in the era of Pax Romana. When his old friend Messala (Stephen Boyd) arrives in Jerusalem ...read the complete Ben-Hur movie review at The DVD Report (Britt Gillette)

The Digital Bits

During the late 50s, MGM and the other Hollywood studios were faced with a problem - people simply weren't going to the movies like they had in the past. The average Hollywood movie was making less from box office receipts, and only big, epic pictures ...read the complete Ben-Hur movie review at The Digital Bits

DVD Authority.com ("Fusion3600")

Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston) has a very comfortable lifestyle, as he is a Jewish price who makes a nice living as a merchant. In addition to his work, Judah loves to spend time with his mother and sister, whom he loves very much and is very close with. ...read the complete Ben-Hur movie review at DVD Authority.com ("Fusion3600")

Plugged In

Charlton Heston portrays Judah Ben-Hur, a kind, wealthy Jew whose life is thrown into turmoil when he is betrayed and falsely accused of crimes against Rome. Judah spends three years as a galley slave before heroics restore him to high standing and a ...read the complete Ben-Hur movie review at Plugged In

MediaScreen.com

"Ben-Hur" is the story of Jewish nobleman, Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston), who is imprisoned by his one-time boyhood friend, now the Roman tribune, Messala (Stephen Boyd). Judah's path to God and Messala's road to ruin parallel the Christ story. ...read the complete Ben-Hur movie review at MediaScreen.com

Films on Disc (Stuart J. Kobak)

The great chariot race, the climax of Ben Hur, is a stirring achievement. It's filmed with spectacular vitality by the second unit directors Yakima Canutt and Andrew Marton. The earlier action sequence is less dynamic. The Roman/Macedonian sea battle ...read the complete Ben-Hur movie review at Films on Disc (Stuart J. Kobak)

Film Values/Family Values (H. Arthur Taussig)

The themes of family, freedom, and belief are beautifully developed in an exciting and gripping story. Parents will probably have to explain about leprosy. ...read the complete Ben-Hur movie review at Film Values/Family Values (H. Arthur Taussig)

TV Guide's Movie Guide (--)

Predictable but magnificent and satisfying. ...read the complete Ben-Hur movie review at TV Guide's Movie Guide (--)

DVDnett.no

PÃ¥ tross av den eksplosive veksten i DVD-utgivelser verden over, sÃ¥ er det etter undertegnedes mening relativt sjelden at eldre filmer underkastes en sÃ¥kalt kongelig behandling. Med det mener jeg at eldre filmer stort sett lanseres/relanseres med mer ...read the complete Ben-Hur movie review at DVDnett.no

filmsgraded.com (Brian Koller)

Charlton Heston stars as the title character. Ben-Hur begins the film as a wealthy Judean prince. He is the childhood friend of the new Roman precept Messala (Stephen Boyd), but politics soon makes them enemies. Boyd finds a good excuse to imprison ...read the complete Ben-Hur movie review at filmsgraded.com (Brian Koller)

Oscar Guy (Wesley Lovell)

The kind of sweeping pseudo-biblical epic that Hollywood was famous for. If not for Charlton Heston's weak performance and Stephen Boyd's laughably ludcirous one, the film might have been better. ...read the complete Ben-Hur movie review at Oscar Guy (Wesley Lovell)

Zap2it.com (Michael Szymanski)

One of the most exciting action epics ever made, blustery "Ben-Hur" is filled with over-the-top performances, but memorable scenes. ...read the complete Ben-Hur movie review at Zap2it.com (Michael Szymanski)