On November 18, 1959 the first of Ben Hur: the Italian location

On  November 18, 1959 the first of Ben Hur: the Italian location

57 years ago in New York the world premiere of Ben Hur by William Wyler and starring Charlton Heston.

Ben-Hur is an American film based on the eponymous novel by Lew Wallace.

Besides Charlton Heston, among others interpreters Jack Hawkins, Haya Harareet, Stephen Boyd, Hugh Griffith, Martha Scott, Cathy O'Donnell, Claude Heater, Sam Jaffe, Finlay Currie, Frank Thring.

The novel by Wallace had already inspired two films. One in 1907 and another in 1925, that have become landmarks of the silent film. But surely the Wyler version is undoubtedly the most famous.

Recently it came out another adaptation of the novel directed by Timur Bekmambetov. The scenes were filmed in the Sassi of Matera and the Cinecittà Studios in Rome.

Plot

The film tells the story of the jew prince Judah Ben-Hur, betrayed by his old childhood friend, the Roman tribune Messala. Ben-Hur will find his revenge on the occasion of the great chariot race in the Circus of Jerusalem. It is one of the most spectacular action scenes in film history.

The film's subtitle is A Tale of the Christ. That because the whole story takes place at the time and places where is consumed the story of Jesus Christ. Jesus, played by Claude Heater, in the film appears three times without ever being shown in the face.

Awards

It is the award-winning film with the highest number of Oscar, as many as 11 (Sam Zimbalist Best Film, Best Director William Wyler, Best Leading Actor for Charlton Heston, Best Supporting Actor Hugh Griffith, Best Cinematography Robert Surtees, Best Art Direction William A. Horning, Edward C. Carfagno and Hugh Hunt, Best Film Editing Ralph E. Winters and John D. Dunning, Best costume Design Elizabeth Haffenden, Best sound in Franklin Milton, Best Special effects A. Arnold Gillespie, Robert MacDonald and Milo B. Lory, Best Original score to Miklós Rózsa).

He also won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor, Best Director and Best Film Drama. The BAFTA award for Best Film. The David di Donatello for Best Foreign Production and Best Actor Stranger.

Location

The film was shot mostly in Italy. In particular (sources  www.cinekolossal.com and www.imdb.com ):

Cinecittà studios in Rome

Tivoli (Rome) (bacchanal, party and dance)

Anzio (Rome) (Battleship)

Nettuno (Rome) - Ben Hur saves the life of the console; the two lying on a raft adrift

Arcinazzo Romano (Roma) - Nazareth and Roman legions marching to Jerusalem

Ancient Tuff Caves of Salon (Rome) - Valley of the Lepers

Canale Monterano (Rome) - Esther and Ben Hur meet Baldassare on the riverside

Fogliano (Latina) - Oases and palm groves where Ben Hur rests before returning