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, l reproached him with forgetting his work. He said to me:
''l 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 l was a boy, l dreamed of commanding this garrison.
Now the wheel has turned.
l am in command.
Attention!
Aisle one, face right!
Forward!
l'd forgotten the heat.
lf it were only the heat.
l lived here until l was 14. Jerusalem was my home.
- My father was head of... - Yes, l know.
Your father is well-remembered. Fine governor.
lf there can be such a thing in this forsaken land.
lf you want to rise, Sextus, do the difficult.
l asked to be sent here.
You'll find the people changed since you were a boy.
ln 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. l 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...
l know. There was one predicted when l 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.
lt'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, l know.
The emperor is displeased.
He wishes Judea made into a more obedient and disciplined province.
He's ordered me to restore order. l 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.
l assume he has a name.
- He says he's a prince, Judah Ben-Hur. - Then treat him like one!
Tell him l 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, l'll tell you how.
With another idea.
l said l'd come back.
l never thought you would.
l'm so glad.
- Look at you. - Look at you!
You've come back a tribune.
When l heard that news, l 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.
- ls Tirzah married? - No.
Suitors come and go, but she dreams.
She's been in love with you since she was 5.
l 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.
ln every way.
l hope so.
l know.
You're a Roman, and l'm a Jew...
...whose life you once saved.
The best thing l ever did.
Judah...
...it will be very difficult to govern here.
l'm going to need help.
Your help. Your advice.
- You want my advice? - Yes, l 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.
My quarters.
A bit grim.
Not grim.
Austere. Virtuous.
Roman.
l'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. lt will be crushed.
But you and your family need have no concern.
l'm next in authority to the governor, and you're my friend.
- l'm a Jew. - Ah, you are like a Roman!
What have you in common with the troublemaking rabble?
- They're my people. l'm one of them. - Be wise, Judah.
lt's a Roman world. lf you want to live in it, you must become part of it.
You've changed.
l've grown up. l've seen the world since l left Jerusalem.
l've seen Rome. lt's no accident that one small village on the Tiber...
...was chosen to rule the world.
Your legions.
lt wasn't just our legions.
Other countries have armies, fine armies. l know, l 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.
l 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.
lt is worse than stupid, futile!
For it can end in only one way, extinction for your people!
l'm against violence. Everyone knows this.
l've spoken against it. l shall do so again.
Then we're agreed!
Now, when can l come to see your family?
- We had hoped tomorrow. - Good.
And now for our toast.
lt's dreadful wine, by the way.
lt's especially fermented for the Roman army.
You're very cruel to your conquerors.
lt'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 l'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.
l 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, l almost forgot. l brought you this.
l've never seen anything like this before. lt's beautiful!
- ls it Roman? - lt's Libyan. l 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.
l'm boring you with soldier stories.
Come with me, there's something l want to show you.
Thank you for this.
l chose the right present for you. lt's a brooch for a woman.
What do you think of it?
Magnificent.
lt's Arabic.
l think he has the look of the breed. l'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. lt's going to be like old times, l know it.
Judah, tell me, did you...
...think about what l 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 resenttul, the impatient.
Who are they?
Yes, Judah. Who are they?
Would l retain your friendship if l 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.
lf l bring order here, l can have any post l want.
You'll rise with me, l promise. And do you know where it can end?
Rome! Yes, perhaps at the side of Caesar himself.
l mean it. lt can happen and this is the moment.
l swear, this is the time.
The emperor is watching us, judging us. All l 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.
l would do anything for you, Messala...
...except betray my own people.
ln the name of all the gods, what do the lives of a few Jews mean to you?
lf l cannot persuade them, that does not mean l would help you murder them.
Besides, you must understand this, Messala.
l 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.
- l am a soldier. - Who kills for Rome and Rome is evil.
- l warn you... - No! l warn you.
Rome is an affront to God.
Rome is strangling my people and my country, the whole earth!
But not forever.
And l 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.
lf that is the choice...
...then l 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, lKing 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, l saw.
Simonides.
Welcome.
- 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. l 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, l 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 l inherited you, l inherited a friend, not a slave.
Still, Esther has come with me from Antioch for your permission to marry.
lt's granted. l wish you the joy of many grandchildren.
lf it is the Lord's will, l shall rejoice.
With your permission, Esther wishes to speak to her master.
You're eager to marry, Esther?
lt 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.
l 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?
l will learn to love him.
You have my permission to marry.
We'll drink to your happiness.
And a safe return to Antioch.
l disturbed you.
No.
What were you thinking?
l 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 l was little.
lt was a house where l 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.
l touched your face as you lay there...
...and prayed to God, ''Don't let this boy die.''
l can hear how you said it. Gently, as you say it now.
Yes, master.
Master? Why, l've given you your freedom.
lt's strange. l hardly felt a slave.
And now...
...l 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.
lf you were not a bride...
...l should kiss you goodbye.
lf l 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?
Yes.
Until then.
The gods favor my lord Gratus.
lf it is the governor's pleasure, the wreath of office.
Thank you, tribune.
l see no delegation from the city.
- There will not be one, sir. - No?
Jerusalem's welcome will not be a warm one.
But l 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!
- l was watching the... - A tile fell and struck the governor.
- lt wasn't my fault. - They won't believe her.
She won't have to say anything. You hear? Tirzah, say nothing.
Open the gates!
l'll speak to them.
- Arrest him! - Let me tell you what happened.
- Hold those women. - Stop them!
lt was an accident.
Let me tell you what happened. lt was an accident.
- This is the man, sir. We saw him. - lt was an accident.
- Accident? - l swear it.
l put my hand on the ledge. A tile was loose. lt gave way.
Take him. Take all of them.
- He's telling the truth! - lt was me! Let them go!
Attention!
Messala.
ln the name of God, tell them it's a mistake.
l leaned on the tile, and it broke loose.
lt 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?
l've had no trial.
l'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. - l can tell you nothing.
Get along. lKeep moving.
Jailer!
Guard, in there!
Up the stairs!
Jailer!
To the right.