At a whopping 3 hours and 32 minutes it’s no surprise this film gave rise to the phrase “bigger than Ben-Hur”.
Not only is the film a long watch but it was also a massive undertaking, costing US$15 million making it the biggest-budget film ever made at the time.
The historical drama tells the story of Judah Ben-Hur, a nobleman sentenced to years of slavery after being accused of treason by his adopted brother Messala. But he returns to seek revege by competing with him in a race.
Hollywood legend Charlton Heston starred as the title character (pictured).
One of the most recognisable scenes of the film is the of course, the chariot race. Long before the time of computer generated imagery, Heston shot the scene in real time though thankfully he was a trained horse rider.
Sadly, according to film historians, it is estimated that over 100 horses died during the filming of the 1959 film due to the intense pace and lack of veterinary care.
