Ben-Hur1959Ben-Hur
1959
Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince in Roman Judea, is betrayed by his boyhood friend Messala and sent to the galleys while his mother and sister vanish into prison. Surviving slavery and war, he returns for revenge, while his path keeps crossing that of a carpenter from Nazareth.
For children old enough to talk it through: sustained intensity, or language or sexual content that Common Sense Media rates 7–9.
Why it’s here
A towering epic about a man consumed by a just-seeming desire for revenge who is finally healed by the mercy of Christ. It shows the weight of suffering without parading it, and ends at the foot of the cross.
Context notes
For parents, before you press play.
Galley whipping with bloody wounds, a violent chariot race with a fatal trampling, lepers, and the crucifixion. Judah's thirst for revenge is shown poisoning him until Christ's death washes it away, which is a natural talk about forgiveness; nearly four hours with an intermission.
Ben-Hur (1959)
Discussion questions
When the credits end, go around the room. Each person gives the film a score out of ten and says why.
- What did Judah want most after Messala betrayed him? Did getting it satisfy him?
- Who gave Judah water in the desert, and why did that moment matter?
- What took away Judah's hatred at the end?
- Was Messala ever really Judah's friend?
Content advisory
Common Sense Media 13+: slavery, whipping, and bloody injuries; a brutal chariot race; the crucifixion; occasional drinking.
Trailer
Best edition
The disc comes first.
Ben-Hur 4K Blu-ray (4K Ultra HD + Digital 4K)
4K · February 17, 2026
Edition link coming soon.
Listing on Blu-ray.com (opens in a new tab)Coming later
Where to stream
Streaming services are not listed yet. When they are, this note stays secondary to the disc.