In the year of our Lord...
...Judea, for nearly a century, had lain under the mastery of Rome.
In the seventh year of the reign of Augustus Caesar...
...an imperial decree ordered every Judean...
...each to return to his place of birth...
... to be counted and taxed.
Converging ways of many of them led to their capital city, Jerusalem...
... the troubled heart of their land.
The old city was dominated by the fortress of Antonia...
... the seat of Roman power...
...and by the great golden temple...
... the outward sign of an inward and imperishable faith.
Even while they obeyed the will of Caesar...
... the people clung proudly to their ancient heritage...
...always remembering the promise of their prophets...
... that one day there would be born among them a redeemer...
... to bring them salvation and perfect freedom.
You'll be counted at Hebron.
-Name? -Samuel.
-What city? -Joppa.
-What family? -Michael.
-Move on. Move on. -Yes.
-Name? -Joseph.
-What city? -Nazareth.
-What family? -David of Bethlehem.
And the woman?
My wife.
Move on. You'll be counted at Bethlehem.
Come on, come on.
What village is this?
Nazareth.
We should arrive in Jerusalem tomorrow night.
You're not watching the soldiers, Joseph?
We've seen Romans before.
Yes. . .
. . .and we will see them again.
My table is not finished.
Where is your son?
He's walking in the hills.
He neglects his work, Joseph.
No.
Once, I reproached him with forgetting his work. He said to me:
"I must be about my father's business. "
Then why isn't he here, working?
He's working.
Trumpeters of the legion!
Welcome, Messala.
The command is yours.
Thank you.
Thank you for relieving me.
Drusus. . .
. . .when I was a boy, I dreamed of commanding this garrison.
Now the wheel has turned.
I am in command.
Attention!
Aisle one, face right!
Forward!
I'd forgotten the heat.
If it were only the heat.
I lived here until I was 1 4. Jerusalem was my home.
-My father was head of-- -Yes, I know.
Your father is well-remembered. Fine governor.
If there can be such a thing in this forsaken land.
If you want to rise, Sextus, do the difficult.
I asked to be sent here.
You'll find the people changed since you were a boy.
In what way?
Oh, won't pay their taxes, an irrational resentment of Rome. . . .
There's nothing new in all that.
And then there's religion. I tell you, they're drunk with religion.
They smash the statues of our gods, even those of the emperor.
Punish them.
We do.
When we can find them.
Find the leaders.
You don't know. There's nothing you can put your finger on.
There are strange forces at work here.
This "messiah" business--
I know. There was one predicted when I was a boy.
A king of the Jews, who will lead them into some sort of anti-Roman paradise.
Makes your head spin.
There's a wild man in the desert named John. . .
. . .who drowns people in water.
And a carpenter's son who does magic tricks. "Miracles" they call them.
There's always a rabble-rouser stirring up trouble.
No, no, no. This man is different.
He teaches that God is near, in every man.
It's actually quite profound, some of it.
You've been too long away from Rome.
Go back, Sextus.
Go to Capri. Bathe, rest, lie by the sea. . .
. . .and forget that God is in every man.
-There is divinity in only one man. -Yes, I know.
The emperor is displeased.
He wishes Judea made into a more obedient and disciplined province.
He's ordered me to restore order. I shall carry out his wishes.
How? You can break a man's skull, arrest him, throw him into a dungeon.
But how do you control this? How do you fight an idea?
Especially a new idea.
There's a Jew outside. He wants to see the tribune Messala.
I assume he has a name.
-He says he's a prince, Judah Ben-Hur. -Then treat him like one!
Tell him I will join him.
Yes, tribune.
Centurion!
This was his country before it was ours.
Don't forget that.
Yes, tribune.
Very wise. This Ben-Hur is the richest man in Jerusalem.
And the head of one of the greatest families in Judea.
We were friends as boys.
We were like brothers.
Sextus. . .
. . .you ask how to fight an idea.
Well, I'll tell you how.
With another idea.
I said I'd come back.
I never thought you would.
I'm so glad.
-Look at you. -Look at you!
You've come back a tribune.
When I heard that news, I drank a toast to you.
We'll drink another now.
-Your sister and mother? -They're fine.
They've talked of you ever since we knew you were coming.
-Is Tirzah married? -No.
Suitors come and go, but she dreams.
She's been in love with you since she was 5.
I can't wait to see them.
Do you still hunt jackals and lions?
Or have you become too dignified?
-Down Eros, up Mars! -Down Eros, up Mars!
Where the beams cross?
Good.
After all these years!
Still close.
In every way.
I hope so.
I know.
You're a Roman, and I'm a Jew. . .
. . .whose life you once saved.
The best thing I ever did.
Judah. . .
. . .it will be very difficult to govern here.
I'm going to need help.
Your help. Your advice.
-You want my advice? -Yes, I do.
Withdraw your legions.
Give us our freedom.
Unfortunately, the emperor is devoted to his empire.
He's particularly fond of Judea.
And Judea's not fond of the emperor.
Is there anything so sad as unrequited love?
My quarters.
A bit grim.
Not grim.
Austere. Virtuous.
Roman.
I'm going to be second-in-command to the new governor, Valerius Gratus.
He's coming in a few days with more legions.
Then the rumors are true.
The emperor does not approve of your countrymen.
There is rebellion in the wind. It will be crushed.
But you and your family need have no concern.
I'm next in authority to the governor, and you're my friend.
-I'm a Jew. -Ah, you are like a Roman!
What have you in common with the troublemaking rabble?
-They're my people. I'm one of them. -Be wise, Judah.
It's a Roman world. If you want to live in it, you must become part of it.
You've changed.
I've grown up. I've seen the world since I left Jerusalem.
I've seen Rome. It's no accident that one small village on the Tiber. . .
. . .was chosen to rule the world.
Your legions.
It wasn't just our legions.
Other countries have armies, fine armies. I know, I fought them.
Oh, no.
No, it was fate that chose us to civilize the world. And we have.
Our roads and ships connect every corner of the earth.
Roman law, architecture, literature are the glory of the human race.
I believe in the future of my people.
Of course you do. And you can help them.
How?
You're an aristocrat.
Your family's name is honored. You're a prince to your people.
You're rich and powerful. Your reputation is stainless.
They'd listen if you spoke out against rebellion.
Persuade your people that their resistance to Rome is stupid.
It is worse than stupid, futile!
For it can end in only one way, extinction for your people!
I'm against violence. Everyone knows this.
I've spoken against it. I shall do so again.
Then we're agreed!
Now, when can I come to see your family?
-We had hoped tomorrow. -Good.
And now for our toast.
It's dreadful wine, by the way.
It's especially fermented for the Roman army.
You're very cruel to your conquerors.
It's an insane world.
But in it there is one sanity:
The loyalty of old friends.
Judah, we must believe in one another.
Will you drink to that?
With all my heart.
Here it is, the place I've remembered.
The court where we played at changing the guard.
The roof where we'd throw pebbles at people in the street and then hide.
-We were rascals, weren't we? -No, you were good boys.
I would have that time again.
And here it is. Nothing has changed.
Except for the fountain.
-The old well would go dry, remember? -Promptly, every summer.
A new fountain and a new Tirzah. You've grown up.
-He hasn't changed, has he, Mother? -No?
Of course he has. He was a boy when he left us, now he's a man.
With great responsibilities.
Come.
The emperor builds and builds, turning brick to marble.
Oh, I almost forgot. I brought you this.
I've never seen anything like this before. It's beautiful!
-Is it Roman? -It's Libyan. I was there last year.
A tremendous campaign.
Our armies met on the coast. After two days of fighting, they fled.
We marched on their capital. Barbaric city, but fascinating.
Or was, till we destroyed it.
Now it's nothing but ashes.
I'm boring you with soldier stories.
Come with me, there's something I want to show you.
Thank you for this.
I chose the right present for you. It's a brooch for a woman.
What do you think of it?
Magnificent.
It's Arabic.
I think he has the look of the breed. I've raised him.
Let me try him sometime.
Whenever you like. He's yours.
Do you mean you'll give me this?
Oh, Judah.
You are good. It's going to be like old times, I know it.
Judah, tell me, did you. . .
. . .think about what I said?
Yes. Talked to a number of people already.
Spoken against violence, against incidents.
Most of the men agree with me.
Most? Not all?
No, not all.
Who does not agree?
Well, the resentful, the impatient.
Who are they?
Yes, Judah. Who are they?
Would I retain your friendship if I became an informer?
Telling the names of criminals is not informing.
They're not criminals, Messala. They're patriots.
Patriots?!
Let me explain something to you. Something you may not know.
The emperor is watching us. At this moment, he watches the East.
This is my great opportunity, and yours too.
If I bring order here, I can have any post I want.
You'll rise with me, I promise. And do you know where it can end?
Rome! Yes, perhaps at the side of Caesar himself.
I mean it. It can happen and this is the moment.
I swear, this is the time.
The emperor is watching us, judging us. All I need do is serve him.
And all you need do is help me serve him.
-You speak as if he were God. -He is God. The only God.
He is power, real power on earth, not--
Not that.
Help me, Judah.
I would do anything for you, Messala. . .
. . .except betray my own people.
In the name of all the gods, what do the lives of a few Jews mean to you?
If I cannot persuade them, that does not mean I would help you murder them.
Besides, you must understand this, Messala.
I believe in the past and future of my people.
Future? You are a conquered people.
You may conquer the land. You may slaughter the people.
But that is not the end. We will rise again.
You live on dead dreams. You live on the myths of the past.
Solomon's glory is gone. You think it will return?
Joshua will not rise again to save you nor David.
There is only one reality in the world today. Look to the West.
Don't be a fool! Look to Rome!
Better a fool than a traitor or a killer.
-I am a soldier. -Who kills for Rome and Rome is evil.
-I warn you-- -No! I warn you.
Rome is an affront to God.
Rome is strangling my people and my country, the whole earth!
But not forever.
And I tell you, the day Rome falls there will be a shout of freedom. . .
. . .such as the world has never heard before.
Either you help me or you oppose me. You have no other choice.
You're either for me or against me.
If that is the choice. . .
. . .then I am against you.
There they are.
Where's Messala?
-Where's--? -He's gone.
Gone?
-But why? -He couldn't stay.
-What happened? -A new tribune must have many duties.
Come. Let us have dinner.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, our God, King of the world. . .
. . .who bringeth to us bread from the earth.
We shall never see him again, Tirzah.
He wanted to use me to betray our people.
-Master, the caravan from Antioch. -Yes, Amrah, I saw.
Simonides.
-Oh, welcome homecoming. -Master.
Simonides has brought gifts, as usual.
Amber and jade for me. Silk for Tirzah.
And for the master, lberian wine.
Not to mention the best gift of all, your presence.
You do your servant honor. I also bring good news from Antioch.
-Caravans from Petra. -Have all arrived.
-Good. -Here is the accounting.
And what of Numidia?
The trade route is ours, guaranteed by treaty with the king.
Once a year, you bring your accounting.
And once a year, I find myself wealthier.
Yeah, but my greatest treasure is my steward.
My life belongs to the House of Hur.
Nothing else exists for me, except my daughter.
-She must be a young woman by now. -Yes, and your property.
She was born the daughter of your slave.
When I inherited you, I inherited a friend, not a slave.
Still, Esther has come with me from Antioch for your permission to marry.
It's granted. I wish you the joy of many grandchildren.
If it is the Lord's will, I shall rejoice.
With your permission, Esther wishes to speak to her master.
You're eager to marry, Esther?
It is my father's wish.
Your husband will be fortunate.
What is his name?
David, son of Mathias.
Of what house?
-His own, master. -He is a freeman.
Tell me more about him.
I have seen him only once.
He is a merchant, well-thought-of in Antioch.
He will pay for Esther's freedom.
Her freedom will be my wedding gift to Esther.
You are generous, master.
Do you love this man?
I will learn to love him.
You have my permission to marry.
We'll drink to your happiness.
And a safe return to Antioch.
I disturbed you.
No.
What were you thinking?
I was saying goodbye. . .
. . .to this city. . .
. . .and this house.
You've not often been here. What do you remember of it?
My father sometimes brought me here. . .
. . .when I was little.
It was a house where I was always happy.
Except once.
When you and your friend, the Roman boy--
-Messala. -Yes.
You had been out hunting. . .
. . .and they brought you home injured.
I touched your face as you lay there. . .
. . .and prayed to God, "Don't let this boy die. "
I can hear how you said it. Gently, as you say it now.
Yes, master.
Master? Why, I've given you your freedom.
It's strange. I hardly felt a slave.
And now. . .
. . .I hardly feel free.
You know, in the old, wise days of Solomon. . .
. . .if there was among his slaves. . .
. . .some girl who filled his eyes. . .
. . .he could choose her out from the rest. . .
. . .and take her to him.
Wise days of Solomon.
Different days.
And long ago.
If you were not a bride. . .
. . .I should kiss you goodbye.
If I were not a bride. . .
. . .there would be no goodbyes to be said.
Your slave ring.
Fair exchange.
Freedom to you. The ring to me.
You will wear it?
Until you meet the woman you will marry?
Until then.
The gods favor my lord Gratus.
If it is the governor's pleasure, the wreath of office.
Thank you, tribune.
I see no delegation from the city.
-There will not be one, sir. -No?
Jerusalem's welcome will not be a warm one.
But I pledge, my lord, it will be a quiet one.
Let us proceed.
There's Messala.
He saw you, Judah.
The new governor.
Stand back!
-Stand back. -You, come!
Had to be the Jews!
Open up in the name of the divine emperor!
Judah! Tirzah! What is it? What's happened?
Open up in the name of the law!
-I was watching the-- -A tile fell and struck the governor.
-It wasn't my fault. -They won't believe her.
She won't have to say anything. You hear? Tirzah, say nothing.
Open the gates!
I'll speak to them.
-Arrest him! -Let me tell you what happened.
-Hold those women. -Stop them!
It was an accident.
Let me tell you what happened. It was an accident.
-This is the man, sir. We saw him. -It was an accident.
-Accident? -I swear it.
I put my hand on the ledge. A tile was loose. It gave way.
Take him. Take all of them.
-He's telling the truth! -It was me! Let them go!
Attention!
Messala.
In the name of God, tell them it's a mistake.
I leaned on the tile, and it broke loose.
It was an accident.
Let them go! They had nothing to do with it!
Let the servants go.
Let them go. Return to your ranks.
Come.
Where?
Tirus.
Tirus?
I've had no trial.
I'm to die in the galleys without even a trial?
There's no truth in the charge! Not a word of truth!
Wait. My mother, my sister. What happened to them?
Tie his hands.
-At least tell me if they're safe. -I can tell you nothing.
Get along. Keep moving.
Jailer!
Guard, in there!
Up the stairs!
Jailer!
To the right.
-Wait! -Send them out.
Go!
The door.
Where are my mother and sister?
Where are they?
Here, within these walls.
The governor is recovering. They won't die.
Of course, they will be sentenced.
Is it possible?
Is it possible you could do this to us?
To people you've known? A family you've loved?
You will let them go. You will gladly let them go!
I didn't try to kill the governor. I'm not a murderer!
I know you're not.
You know?
You are evil.
No, Judah, I am not evil.
I wanted your help.
Now you've given it to me.
By making this example of you, I discourage treason.
By condemning without hesitation an old friend, I shall be feared.
But not my family.
Let them go.
Please.
-Messala, I beg you. -Beg?!
Didn't I beg you?
You chose this. There's nothing more to be said.
Kill me, and your mother and sister will die. . .
. . .nailed to crosses in front of you!
Go on, Judah.
Kill me!
May God grant me vengeance.
I will pray that you live till I return.
Return?
Take him.
Sentries, salute.
The tribune will see you now.
Tribune, I'm steward of the House of Hur.
I remember you.
We were on our way to Antioch when we heard what had happened.
Judah Ben-Hur could not have done this thing. You knew him, tribune.
Better than you.
Then there must be no doubt in your mind, the charge is groundless.
The prisoners have been sentenced.
-Sentenced? -But there's no truth in it.
There was never a threat against the governor in Judah's mind.
Surely you must know he would never have done this.
In your heart, you must know it.
Drusus.
This man had better be kept here until we can question him.
Hold!
Water for the soldiers.
Soldiers first!
Get away from that well. No water for them!
Get them away from that well! Here, you!
Come on, you! Water for the horses!
-Water. Water. -Soldiers first!
Here.
Wait.
No water for him.
God. . .
. . .help me.
You! I said no water for him!
All right, on your feet, all of you!
Get them on their feet!
Back in line, you dog!
On your feet!
Get them going!
You there, back to your place! Back to your place!
Forward, you dogs!
Soon, the counselor's barge will be coming alongside.
Be ready to raise oars.
Raise oars!
Down oars!
The new commander, Quintus Arrius.
-How many rowers? -Two hundred, consul.
-And reliefs? -Of 30, every hour.
This man is ill. Replace him.
-Change him. -Right, sir.
-This man's been giving you trouble? -He's insubordinate, consul.
That will stop.
What service have you seen?
Forty-one.
A month's less a day in this ship.
You keep an exact account. And before?
Three years in other ships.
Three years.
You have the spirit to fight back. . .
. . .but the good sense to control it.
Your eyes are full of hate, 41 .
That's good. Hate keeps a man alive.
It gives him strength.
Now, listen to me, all of you.
You are all condemned men. We keep you alive to serve this ship.
So row well. . .
. . .and live.
-Ship ready, consul. -Strike oars.
Strike oars!
You know a fleet of Macedonian galleys. . .
. . .has been raiding Roman commerce.
The emperor has honored us with the task. . .
. . .of seeking out and destroying them.
Battle speed, hortator.
Battle speed!
Attack speed.
Attack speed!
Ramming speed.
Ramming speed!
Rest.
Halt!
Rest!
Why are you here?
I was ordered to report to you during my relief.
Oh, yes.
I'd forgotten.
You could have killed me as I lay there.
You're a condemned man. Why didn't you?
I'm not ready to die.
What do you think will save you?
The God of my fathers.
Your God has forsaken you.
He has no more power than the images I pray to.
My gods will not help me. Your God will not help you.
I might.
Does that interest you, 41 ?
I can see that it does.
I'm a fighting man by profession, and in my leisure moments. . .
. . .it amuses me to train fighting men.
I own some of the best gladiators and charioteers in Rome.
Would you like to become one of them?
To die as your slave?
Better than to live in chains below these decks.
I will not be here forever.
No?
What would you do if you escaped?
Two people were condemned with me, my mother and sister. . .
. . .though they were innocent. I won't rest--
Do not say that you were innocent.
-Would it do any good to say it again? -No.
Consider my offer carefully. You will never escape while we are victorious.
If we are not, you will sink with this ship, chained to your oar.
I cannot believe that God has let me live these years. . .
. . .to die chained to an oar.
It's a strange, stubborn faith you keep. . .
. . .to believe that existence has a purpose.
A sane man would have learned to lose it long before this.
As you have.
What drove it out of you?
Go back to your oar, 41 .
Consul, enemy sighted.
Signal the fleet. Prepare for battle.
All the watch to battle posts.
-Stand by to load. -Make ready to fire.
Hurry, quick!
Hurry up with that resin. Get some more ammunition.
Raise oars!
Down oars!
Chain rowers!
Guard.
Unlock 41 .
No! I don't want to die!
I don't want to die!
41 , why did he do that?
I don't know.
Once before, a man helped me.
I didn't know why then.
Normal speed!
Number 1 , flame.
Fire.
Fire!
Hold withdrawal on command.
Lift oars! Raise!
Withdraw!
Steersman, right.
Extend oars!
Fire!
-Watch out! -Fire!
Steersman, ram course! Order below!
-Ramming speed! -Ramming speed!
Consul, barge on ramming course.
We're going to be rammed! We're going to be rammed!
Why did you save me?
Why did you have me unchained?
What is your name, 41 ?
Judah Ben-Hur.
Judah Ben-Hur. . .
. . .Iet me die.
We keep you alive to serve this ship.
Row well and live.
Is the sail square?
I can't tell.
Better for us both if it's the enemy.
My death.
Your freedom.
It's a Roman sail.
Face rear!
Welcome, consul. We had given up all hope for you.
Water.
The fleet, all lost?
Five galleys.
-And the battle? -The battle was won.
You have a victory.
-It was a victory? -Complete.
In His eagerness to save you. . .
. . .your God has also saved the Roman fleet.
Hail Arrius!
Right oars!
You have cleared the seaways of a great danger, Quintus Arrius.
This baton of victory has been nobly won.
This man riding beside you, who is he?
The man who saved me, divine emperor, to return and serve you.
Is that all you know about him?
No. He was accused of an attack on the governor of Judea.
But he was innocent.
If not, there's a strange inconsistency in this man. . .
. . .who tries to kill my governor, yet saves the life of my consul.
Come tomorrow. We'll talk of it.
We have all the information on this man. . .
. . .a man of some influence in his own country.
His attack upon our governor is one upon the senate and the people of Rome.
I am convinced that no such attack was intended.
Consul, allow us to continue.
Allow us to be generous.
As a reward to you for your great victory. . .
. . .we shall not send him back to the galleys. Take him as your slave.
Such is the will of the senate. . .
. . .and the people of Rome.
Not long ago, I returned to Rome. . .
. . .with a young man who had saved my life.
You all know him as the finest charioteer in Rome.
Five times, he's driven my horses to victory.
I know him as one who stands in the place of the son I lost.
I have the love and pride in a son's achievements. . .
. . .which I thought I should never have again.
Nothing could make stronger our bond. . .
. . .but tonight I wish to share it with you all.
The formalities of adoption have been completed.
Young Arrius is now the legal bearer of my name. . .
. . .and the heir to my property.
This ring of my ancestors. . .
. . .would have gone to my son.
So now it is yours.
It's a strange destiny that brought me to a new life. . .
. . .a new home. . .
. . .a new father.
It brought me here.
It may take me away.
But wherever I may be. . .
. . .I shall always try to wear this ring as a son of Arrius should.
With gratitude and affection. . .
. . .and with honor.
My old friend Pontius Pilate, young Arrius.
Before you came to this city, my horses always won.
Magnificent horses, extremely swift.
Yes, but not swift enough to defeat you.
-Tell me, you come from Judea? -Yes, sir.
I hear that the climate is difficult to live in.
Not for Judeans.
It's a terrible prospect. I am to be made governor.
-Of Judea? -Yes.
I asked for Alexandria.
But it seems the wilderness needs my particular talents.
The scorpions and holy prophets can't get on without me.
Lay the dust of Judea, at least for this evening.
Goats and Jehovah.
You're leaving.
I must.
It's a journey I can't keep you from.
Your eyes have never left it all these months. I can recognize pain.
But still, my counsel is to wait.
Gratus is to be replaced.
The governorship goes to Pontius Pilate.
When?
Very soon.
It's very much to our purpose.
Nothing is to the purpose if, when I come back to Judea, I come too late.
That is the thought which has punished me every moment I've spent here.
Will Rome see you again?
Here is a part of my life which you have made for me.
I shall remember it.
Whoever the gods are, they take small interest in an old man's hopes.
They have their way.
Forgive me.
You're a stranger here.
Would you be from Nazareth?
Why do you ask?
I thought. . .
. . .you might be the one--
The one that I have come back from my country to find.
He would be about your age.
Who?
When I find Him. . .
. . .I shall know Him.
Oh, but forgive me. I am Balthasar of Alexandria.
I am the guest of Sheik llderim.
Sack of flesh without brains!
No! No! Not the whip!
That is my host.
Gently! Gently!
Fool! Headless toad! You know nothing of horses!
Whip my children once and I'll drain every drop of your blood.
Now, gently around the first turn, and let them run! Go on!
Keep my words in your head! Let us see some wisdom!
Beautiful horses.
Now! Now! They are ready! Let them go!
Watch. They'll never hold the turn.
No! No!
Abadon, stop him!
Stop that whip!
I'll kill him! I'll kill--!
Moonhead! Give me those reins, you fool!
You think you can treat my horses like animals?!
Drive cows and goats! That's all you're fit for!
Get off, idiot!
Drive goats, not horses!
I am doomed. You saw what happened here?
This traveler told what would happen before it happened.
Your horses are very fine, but they're not a team.
Not a team?
But one of them held steady, the one on the outside.
-Antares. -The slow one?
He should run on the inside where he can steady the others in the turns.
You have a keen eye. Where did you acquire it?
In the circus in Rome.
You have driven in the great circus?
Tell me, my friend, could you make my four run as one?
I'm on my way to Jerusalem.
Would your caravan rest until tomorrow?
We have time enough to eat, drink and talk.
Come into my tent and refresh yourself.
And let me hear how you raced in Rome.
If I had a voice to sing, I would sing you the psalm of horses.
No other animal has descended so in scale. . .
. . .from the first innocent falling of the world.
And tomorrow, I shall put Antares on the inside.
When you do, shorten the yoke. It will help them in the turns.
Judah Ben-Hur.
You're a Jew, yet you drove in the great circus.
Yes.
By a strange choice and a stranger fortune.
Your coming here was so fit, so right.
We might have achieved wonders!
You have to go.
I make a journey which will not wait.
Ah, well, then perhaps you will come back.
And when you do, bring your friends, your wives.
I have no wives.
No wives at all?
I have six, no, seven.
I've counted eight.
And that is because he is traveling. At home, he has more.
Believe me, it is a great advantage to have many wives.
-Someday, I hope to have one. -One wife!
One God, that I can understand. But one wife, that is not civilized.
It is not generous.
-Was the food not to your liking? -Indeed.
Thank you. Thank you.
And take my advice, my friend. Buy yourself some wives.
And now I must say good night to my beauties.
When ready for sleep, they get impatient and jealous.
They wait to see which one I will embrace first.
-I'll make my farewells then. -No, no, no, stay.
Stay and see them.
Come, my children. Come.
Strangers make them shy.
Come.
Come, do not be afraid. Come.
There, my children.
They are descended from the Arabians of the Pharaohs. . .
. . .and I have named them for the stars.
Come, Antares.
You are the slowest, and you can run all day without tiring.
What? Yes, yes.
Yes, I love you too. There's my good Antares.
Come, Rigel.
We've both supped well, and the world is good.
There's my good Rigel.
Yes, you are ready for sleep.
The day's work done for you, eh?
Yes, well, you can go to sleep in a minute.
Good night. Good night, my treasure.
Steady, Aldebaran. I haven't forgotten you.
No. You are the swiftest, but you must be steady.
Never seen finer horses, even in Rome.
You should see their mother, Mira.
I dare not bring her. My people couldn't bear her absence.
All right, all right.
You are their friend, and they do not give their affections readily.
Come, Antares, Rigel, it is late.
Altair, Aldebaran, go to sleep.
You must be strong and swift.
Go, my children. Go.
At Jerusalem, they'll race the world's finest teams. . .
. . .and the champion of the East, Messala, with his black devils.
He stops at nothing to win.
-Messala? ln the circus? -Yes.
You knew him?
I know him.
Perhaps without much liking.
My people are praying for a man. . .
. . .to drive their team to victory over Messala.
You could be that man, the one. . .
. . .to stamp his arrogance into the sand.
My horses need only a driver who is worthy of them. . .
. . .one who will rule them with love. For him, they'd outrace the wind.
It's not possible.
That is a pity.
Think of it. To break his pride. . .
. . .to humble this tribune before the very people he has degraded.
Just think, his defeat and humiliation at the hands of a Jew!
I know it is not possible.
Does it not delight your imagination?
Does it not answer your purpose?
I must deal with Messala in my own way.
And your way is to kill him.
I see this terrible thing in your eyes.
But no matter what this man has done, you have no right to kill him.
He will be punished inevitably.
I don't believe in miracles.
But all life is a miracle.
Why will you not accept God's judgment?
You do not believe in miracles.
Yet God once spoke to me out of the darkness. . .
. . .and a star led me to a village called Bethlehem. . .
. . .where I found a newborn child in a manger.
And God lived in this child.
By now, He is a grown man and must be ready to begin his work.
That is why I have returned here. . .
. . .so that I may be at hand when He comes among us.
He is near.
He saw the sun set this evening, as we did.
Perhaps He's standing in a doorway somewhere or on a hilltop.
Perhaps He is a shepherd. . .
. . .a merchant, a fisherman.
But He lives. . .
. . .and all our lives from now on will carry His mark.
There are many paths to God, my son.
I hope yours will not be too difficult.
I'm ready for sleep.
Balthasar is a good man. . .
. . .but until all men are like him, we must keep our swords bright.
And our intention true.
So I must leave you.
One last thought.
There is no law in the arena.
Many are killed.
I hope to see you again.
Fine Damascus silk.
Esther?
It's Judah.
You are alive.
What are you doing here? What has happened?
I'm here.
I'm with you.
Where's your father?
The day they took you away, they imprisoned him.
They tortured him.
When they were sure he was hiding nothing, they let him go.
Ever since then, we have been living here, in hiding.
You never went back to Antioch?
No.
The Romans took everything. There was nothing left for us there.
Where are my mother and sister?
Let me tell him first.
Father.
Father, something wonderful has happened.
Judah Ben-Hur is alive.
He has come home. He is here.
Judah.
Judah Ben-Hur.
My dear old friend.
Let me look at you.
Let me see you.
Yes, yes. It is true.
Praise God for His mercy.
Where are they?
Since that terrible day. . .
. . .there has been no word of them.
You should have been less loyal.
Do not pity me, Master Judah.
In fact, I'm twice the man I was.
There is Malluch, my other half. We met in the dungeons of the citadel.
We were released on the same day.
Malluch without a tongue, and I without life in my legs.
Since then, I have been his tongue. . .
. . .and he has been my legs.
Together, we make a considerable man.
Old friend.
She always said you would return.
She never gave up hope.
Though I hoped it, I didn't believe it.
I see that your one thought is to save your mother and sister.
But suppose that isn't possible.
If one purpose fails, it is good to have another.
Much of your fortune is safe, Judah.
They could not make me tell them where it is.
It is there still. . .
. . .to put power into our hands and buy death for the Romans.
That's not why I came back.
Judah, they are dead.
Four years. No one could live so long in the dungeons.
Who lives more than one year in the galleys?
Yes, it is true.
Judah Ben-Hur.
You have come back to us like a returning faith.
Judah, I should like to laugh again.
-Let us laugh. -We will.
There will be joy again in this house.
We will celebrate among the dust.
I will take him.
We stood here before.
A long while ago.
Four years.
But now it seems as if. . .
. . .only yesterday. . . .
I was saying:
"If you were not a bride, I should kiss you goodbye. "
"If I were not a bride. . .
. . .there would be no goodbyes to be said. "
I am not a bride.
Why did you never marry?
My father needed me.
And also. . . .
It's still on my finger.
I said I should wear it till I met a woman I would marry.
It's become a part of my hand.
If Messala once knew you were here. . . .
As he must.
He will know where they are.
And if you should find. . ..
-If he says they're dead-- -Messala will wish they were living.
I've seen too much of what hate can do.
My father is burned up with it.
But I've heard of a young rabbi who says that forgiveness is greater. . .
. . .and love more powerful than hatred.
I believe it.
-Esther. -Judah.
Stay alive.
Keep away from Messala.
Only if I can give up thinking and feeling.
That time isn't yet come.
The stone that fell from this roof so long ago is still falling.
Only this time you won't be sent to the galleys.
This time you will be destroyed.
You'll die.