Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
by Lew Wallaceliterary work· published 1880
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Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ is a novel by Lew Wallace, published by Harper and Brothers on November 12, 1880, and considered "the most influential Christian book of the nineteenth century". It became a best-selling American novel, surpassing Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852) in sales. The book also inspired other novels with biblical settings and was adapted for the stage and motion picture productions. Ben-Hur remained at the top of the U.S. all-time bestseller list until the 1936 publication of Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind.
Adaptations (5)
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ has been adapted 5 times, across film and television film, from 1925 to 2016. The most recent is Ben-Hur (2016).
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ1925 · film · 143 min · dir. Fred Niblo, Charles Brabin, Christy Cabanne · IMDb ↗IMDb7.896%Erstwhile childhood friends, Judah Ben-Hur and Messala meet again as adults, this time with Roman officer Messala as conqueror and Judah as a wealthy, though conquered, Israelite. A slip of a brick during a Roman parade causes Judah to be sent off as a galley slave, his property confiscated and his mother and sister imprisoned. Years later, as a result of his determination to stay alive and his willingness to aid his Roman master, Judah returns to his homeland an exalted and wealthy Roman athlete. Unable to find his mother and sister, and believing them dead, he can think of nothing else than revenge against Messala.
Ben-Hur1959 · film · 212 min · dir. William Wyler · IMDb ↗In ancient Judea, a Jewish aristocrat opposing Roman occupation of his homeland reunites with his childhood friend, now a Roman commander — setting in motion a saga of betrayal, adventure, tragedy, revenge, and faith.
Ben Hur2003 · film · 80 min · dir. William R. Kowalchuk Jr. · IMDb ↗IMDb7.0During the first century A.D., Judah Ben-Hur is a young Hebrew prince who is thrown into slavery by the Romans after a tragic accident. He sets out to win his way back to his home on a heroic journey of discovery. Judah's love for a beautiful slave girl is threatened by the bitter conflict dividing two former friends, and his triumph is set against the backdrop of the historic struggle between a captive people and a mighty empire.
Ben-Hur2016 · film · 123 min · dir. Timur Bekmambetov · IMDb ↗A falsely accused nobleman survives years of slavery to take vengeance on his best friend who betrayed him.
