Filming commenced on May 18, 1958, and wrapped on January 7, 1959, with shooting lasting for 12 to 14 hours a day and six days a week. Pre-production began in Italy at Cinecittà around October 1957, and post-production took six months. Under cinematographer Robert L. Surtees, executives at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer made the decision to produce the film in a widescreen format, which Wyler strongly disliked. Over 200 camels and 2,500 horses were used in the shooting of the film, with some 10,000 extras.
Scenes
Overture
Ben-Hur Meets Jesus
Ramming Speed
Chariot Race
Several actors were offered the role of Judah Ben-Hur before it was accepted by Charlton Heston. Burt Lancaster stated he turned down the role because he found the script boring and belittling to Christianity. Paul Newman turned it down because he said he didn't have the legs to wear a tunic. Marlon Brando, Rock Hudson, Geoffrey Horne, and Leslie Nielsen were also offered the role, as were a number of muscular, handsome Italian actors (many of whom did not speak English). Kirk Douglas was interested in the role, but was turned down in favor of Heston
Harareet, who played Judah Ben-Hur’s love interest in the film, seemed to be at the start of a glittering Hollywood career, but despite her MGM contract she failed to retain her stardom. She appeared in a few more films but none reproduced a shred of the success of “Ben Hur.” Her credits include “The Secret Partner” (1961), “Journey Beneath the Desert” (1961) with Jean-Luis Trintignant, “The Interns” (1962), directed by David Swift, and “The Last Charge” (1962).
Stephen Boyd was a Northern Irish actor. He appeared in some 60 films, most notably as the villainous Messala in Ben-Hur, a role that earned him the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture. He received his second Golden Globe Award nomination for Billy Rose's Jumbo
John Edward Hawkins, CBE (14 September 1910 – 18 July 1973) was an English actor who worked on stage and in film from the 1930s until the 1970s. One of the most popular British film stars of the 1950s, he was best known for his portrayal of military men in films like Angels One Five (1951), The Cruel Sea (1953), Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), Ben Hur (1959) and Lawrence of Arabia (1962).
Hugh Emrys Griffith was a Welsh film, stage, and television actor. He is best remembered for his role in the film Ben-Hur, which earned him critical acclaim and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Some of his other notable credits include Exodus, Mutiny on the Bounty, Tom Jones, and Oliver!
Etc.
Messala: "Judah, either you help me or you oppose me, you have no other choice. You're either for me or against me!"
Judah Ben-Hur: "If that is the choice, then I am against you.”
“By condemning without hesitation an old friend, I shall be feared.”
“One God, that I can understand; but one wife? That is not civilized. It is not generous!”
“Your eyes are full of hate, forty-one. That's good. Hate keeps a man alive. It gives him strength.”
“- Messala: By what magic do you bear the name of a Consul of Rome?
- Judah Ben-Hur: You were the magician, Messala. When my ship was sunk, I saved the Consul's life.”
"We keep you alive to serve this ship, row well
and live."