Trivia: The scene where 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 and directed the race scene, that was flipped over the chariot after refusing 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 edited in later.
raywest
9th Oct 2011