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

“Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ” is a 1925 silent film directed by Fred Niblo and based on the 1880 novel “Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ” by Lew Wallace. The film is a grand-scale epic set in ancient Rome, telling the story of Judah Ben-Hur, a wealthy prince who is betrayed and imprisoned by his childhood friend Messala. After years of slavery, Ben-Hur wins his freedom and sets out to seek revenge, eventually becoming a charioteer in the famous chariot races of Rome. Along the way, he encounters Jesus of Nazareth and begins a journey of faith.

Fred Niblo was a prominent Hollywood director in the silent film era and known for his large-scale productions and epic storytelling. “Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ” was one of the most expensive films of its time, with an estimated budget of $4 million and a cast of thousands. The film was a major box office success, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of the silent era.

Today, “Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ” is considered a classic of silent film and a landmark in the history of filmmaking. Despite its age, the film remains a thrilling and visually stunning epic, showcasing Fred Niblo’s mastery of the art of filmmaking and telling a timeless story of faith, redemption, and triumph against the odds.

PLOT

The film takes place in ancient Rome and tells the story of Judah Ben-Hur, a wealthy prince and childhood friend of Messala.

At the beginning of the film, Messala returns to Rome as a powerful military commander and convinces Judah to help him politically, but Judah refuses. In retaliation, Messala accuses Judah of a crime and has him imprisoned as a galley slave. After years of slavery, Judah wins his freedom and sets out to seek revenge against Messala.

Judah eventually becomes a charioteer in the famous chariot races of Rome, where he faces off against Messala in a dangerous and thrilling race. Along the way, he encounters Jesus of Nazareth, who is arrested and sentenced to be crucified. As Judah witnesses the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, he begins a journey of faith, learning the importance of forgiveness and redemption.

In the end, Judah and Messala have a final confrontation, but instead of seeking revenge, Judah forgives Messala and helps him to find redemption. The film ends with Judah reuniting with his family and embracing his newfound faith.

CREATORS

Directed by Fred Niblo and Charles Brabin (uncredited)
Screenplay by June Mathis, Carey Wilson, Bess Meredyth, Carey Wilson, H. H. Caldwell, and Katharine Hilliker
Based on Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by General Lew Wallace
Produced by June Mathis, Louis B. Mayer, and Irving Thalberg

Restored and upscaled by moonflix.com (moonflix, LLC)

CAST

Ramon Novarro as Ben-Hur
Francis X. Bushman as Messala
May McAvoy as Esther
Betty Bronson as Mary
Claire McDowell as Princess of Hur
Kathleen Key as Tirzah
Carmel Myers as Iras
Nigel de Brulier as Simonides
Mitchell Lewis as Sheik Ilderim
Leo White as Sanballat
Frank Currier as Arrius
Charles Belcher as Balthazar
Dale Fuller as Amrah
Winter Hall as Joseph
Claude Payton as Jesus Christ (uncredited)
George Walsh (he recorded almost the entire film, but was replaced by Ramon Novarro)

Some notable crowd extras during chariot race

Reginald Barker
John Barrymore
Lionel Barrymore
Clarence Brown
Joan Crawford
Marion Davies
Douglas Fairbanks
George Fitzmaurice
Sidney Franklin
John Gilbert
Dorothy Gish
Lillian Gish
Samuel Goldwyn
Sid Grauman
Rupert Julian
Henry King
Harold Lloyd
Carole Lombard
Myrna Loy
Colleen Moore
Mary Pickford

Genres: Adventure Films, New Arrivals, Christian-Based Films, Movies, 1920's, Adventure, Drama Films, Famous Stories, Silent Films, Silent Films, American Classics, Drama Movies, Christian Films, ALL Movies