Ben-Hur

For the first time in decades, I watched the classic 1959 movie Ben-Hur. It is close to four hours long but never gets boring. Charlton Heston just dominates the screen in a way few actors can do today.

It is one of only three movies to win 11 Academy Awards.

The plot may be unfashionable to some, but I found it a great story of friends turned enemies, redemption and forgiveness. The chariot race was thrilling of course, but the naval scenes were also well done.

The movie cost $15 million in 1959, which is $110 million in today’s dollars. Luckily for MGM, which was facing bankruptcy, it grossed $75 million – equal to $550 million.