BenHur

Ben-Hur is a historical novel by American author Lew Wallace, first published in 1880 as Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ. Set in the 1st century during the late Roman Empire, the book centers on Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince of Jerusalem who is betrayed by his childhood friend Messala, now a Roman tribune. After a false accusation leads to ruin for Ben-Hur and his family, he endures slavery, seeks revenge, and undergoes a personal transformation influenced by the life of Jesus Christ, whose presence intersects the narrative.

The novel blends adventure, romance, and religious themes and helped popularize the epic story of a virtuous underdog facing oppression. It achieved enormous popular success in the United States and abroad, shaping late 19th- and early 20th-century sensational fiction and contributing to the modern historical-adventure genre.

Ben-Hur has been adapted for screen several times. The first major film was the 1925 silent Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ. The most famous adaptation is the 1959 MGM feature Ben-Hur, directed by William Wyler and starring Charlton Heston; it runs about 212 minutes and won 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. A later remake, Ben-Hur, was released in 2016, directed by Timur Bekmambetov. The story's enduring popularity is partly due to its iconic set pieces, notably the chariot race, and its themes of vengeance, endurance, and redemption.