Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language

1925 · 143 mins

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Directed by

Fred Niblo

Starring

Myrna Loy, Clark Gable, Gary Cooper, John Gilbert, Carole Lombard, Janet Gaynor

Budget

$4M

Former childhood friends Judah Ben‑Hur and Messala reunite as adult adversaries—Messala a Roman officer, Judah a prosperous Israelite. A brick‑throwing incident during a parade condemns Judah to the galley slave decks, his wealth seized and his mother and sister imprisoned. Through determination and service to his Roman masters he rises to become a celebrated chariot racer. Believing his family dead, he returns home consumed by a desire for revenge against Messala.