ben-hur: a tale of the christ (1925)
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viewing guidePress the button below to download your Viewing Guide that must be completed while viewing the film in class. If you lose your copy, or are not in class the day the film starts, you will want to get a copy to complete and turn in for a grade.
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Check out the portion of the documentary that deals with the 1925 version of "Ben-Hur". That section begins at 10:07 and ends at 21:32.
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film notes
Based on the best-selling novel of the 1800s by Indiana Civil War General Lew Wallace, this epic silent film recounts the adventures of Judah Ben-Hur, a fictional Jewish prince, who is enslaved by the Romans and becomes a charioteer and a Christian. Running in parallel with Judah’s narrative is the unfolding story of Jesus. This 1925 film adaptation is more faithful to Lew Wallace’s work than the 1959 film, and reflects themes of betrayal, conviction, and redemption, with a revenge plot that leads to a story of love and compassion. Ben-Hur is the most expensive film of the silent era and extras in the film include such stars as John Barrymore, Gary Cooper, Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, Joan Crawford, Douglas Fairbanks, and Mary Pickford.