Continuity: Ben-Hur places his crown on a table when he visits the fallen Messala, but upon returning the table and crown are gone.
Great sites
Quotes
Quintus Arrius: 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.
Mistakes
Right before the chariot race, Sheik Ilderim is on Judah's left side, pointing out the spikes on Messala's wheels. There's a shot of the wheels and then back to Judah, where the Sheik is now on Judah's right side. Judah holds the Sheik's forearm as the fanfare starts. Then a long shot, showing the Sheik, now on Judah's left side again, and Judah removing his hand from the Sheik's forearm. See more...
Trivia
The spectator crowd in the chariot race scene was partially made up of small wood models. See more...
Ben-Hur mistakes
Revealing: During the chariot race, where the contestants are riding towards the screen, tyre tracks from the camera vehicle are clearly visible imprinted in the sand.
Revealing: When one of the ships collides with the other, you can clearly see that the rowers being hit are dummies.
Ben-Hur trivia
The spectator crowd in the chariot race scene was partially made up of small wood models.
The 'Greek chariot' Mesalla uses in the race is based on the Persian scythed chariots which Darius III attempted to use against Alexander the Great's troops at the battle of Gaugamela, though with only insignificant success.
The scene were Judah Ben Hur is nearly tossed out of the chariot during the race was real and unplanned. However, it was Charlton Heston's stunt double, Joe Canutt, son of legendary stuntman Yakima Canutt, who choreographed the race scene, that was flipped up and over the chariot, after he refused to use a safety harness. Although he could have been killed or maimed, Canutt only suffered minor injuries to his chin. The mishap was left in the movie, and the shot of Heston climbing back into the chariot was added later.
Ben-Hur quotes
Judah Ben-Hur: If I cannot persuade them, that does not mean I will help you... *murder* them. Besides, you must understand this, Messala. I believe in the past of my people, *and* in their future.
Messala: Future? You are a conquered people!
Judah Ben-Hur: You may conquer the land; you may slaughter the people. But that is not the end. We will rise again.
Judah Ben-Hur: If you were not a bride, I would kiss you goodbye.
Esther: If I were not a bride, there would be no goodbyes to be said.
Messala: You're either for me or against me! You have no other choice.
Judah Ben-Hur: If that is the choice, then I am against you.