Gentlemen.
Officers.
Defenders of great Rome's imperium. . .
. . .may I enter?
Certainly, sheik.
You do us an unexpected honor.
The noble tribune is most gracious.
And now. . .
. . .the question you're asking:
Why am I here?
As you know, I am a gambling man.
The games approach.
I am racing my whites against the noble tribune's undefeated blacks.
I will back my own poor horses.
No limits?
-Mark me first! -And me!
-What odds? -A moment, please. . .
. . .my lords, protectors of the far flung marshes.
May I first sit down?
Sit. How much will you wager?
-Yes, let's call his game. -Give the Arab a seat.
A bench, quickly.
Thank you.
-Now. -1 000 denarii.
-2000! -Mark me!
Your spirit does you credit, but do not be impatient. There is time.
First gentlemen, the odds.
The tribune has won many times. The odds should be in the same measure.
What is your pleasure, gentlemen?
Two to one.
Noble Romans, men of the Tiber, masters of the Earth. . .
. . .where is the courage that made Rome master of the world?
I can get better odds on any street market.
Three to one.
Let us not haggle. Let us be fair.
In four years, the tribune has won four victories in the circus.
-In all truth-- -Just a moment.
We know you have good horses, but who is your driver?
Did I not tell you? How careless of me.
The Prince of Hur.
Judah Ben-Hur.
Prince of Hur?
-He was sent to the galleys years ago. -He has returned.
Returned? lmpossible.
The divine Tiberius is merciful as always.
Well?
Will no one back the noble tribune against a Jew, a galley slave?
Perhaps I made a mistake in coming here.
You, tribune. . .
. . .will you give me four to one?
Four to one.
Good.
Four to one, sheik. The difference between a Roman and a Jew.
Or an Arab.
Bravely spoken.
Now we will settle the amount of our wager. I will venture. . . .
A thousand talents?
-A thousand talents? -Yes, a thousand talents.
Of course, if it is too much. . . .
A thousand talents it will be.
Agreed.
Treat them well. They've earned it today.
You're good fellows.
If only men were this good.
Remember, Altair. . .
. . .nine times around the circus.
Aldebaran.
Rigel, did you hear?
Nine lives to live.
My swift fellow.
You must not win the race the first time around.
You win the last time around.
And you cannot win alone. You must wait for the others.
Steady Antares.
Like a rock.
You will be our anchor.
I thought they'd never love another as they love me.
They have taken me into their family.
Rest well, my stars.
Tomorrow we go up to the city.
Then if you defeat Messala and the new governor there to see it. . .
. . .the news will scorch the streets of the Roman world.
Pontius Pilate here?
Yes, and ready to grind his heel into us.
You will make him see what men are born in this land.
I only know that I race against Messala.
Look for the yoke.
Ease that strap.
God forgive me for seeking vengeance, but my path is set.
Into Your hands I commit my life. Do with me as You will.
The Star of David.
To shine out for your people and my people together. . .
. . .and blind the eyes of Rome.
They are ready.
Easy, girl, easy.
Number five.
Where is number five?
This is the day, Judah. It's between us now.
Yes, this is the day.
Look, he's driving a Greek chariot.
Judah, be careful. Don't let him near you.
Hail, Jupiter. Give me victory. 103