Ben-Hur
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) | Release Date: November 18, 1959 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
90
METASCORE
Universal acclaim based on 9 Critic Reviews
Positive:
9
Mixed:
0
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
VarietyRonald Holloway
Ben-Hur is a majestic achievement, representing a superb blending of the motion picture arts by master craftsmen. Read full review
100
The Hollywood ReporterJack Harrison
An extraordinary motion picture, greater in dimension and significance than any similar film of our time, Ben-Hur is more spectacular than any of the previous spectacles. More importantly, it is at the same time a highly rewarding dramatic experience, rich and complex in human values: a great adventure, full of excitement, visual beauty, thrills and unsurpassed cinema artistry. Read full review
100
The TelegraphMartin Chilton
Although it is a spectacle film, the story of how a man takes on the tyranny of the Romans, with all sorts of horrible consequences to himself and his family, is powerful and gripping. Read full review
100
EmpireWilliam Thomas
Little can come close to captivating the grandeur and epic quality of William Wyler's magnificent bum numb-er. Read full review
90
The New York TimesBosley Crowther
The artistic quality and taste of Mr. Wyler have prevailed to make this a rich and glowing drama that far transcends the bounds of spectacle. His big scenes are brilliant and dramatic—that is unquestionable. There has seldom been anything in movies to compare with this picture's chariot race. Read full review
90
TV Guide MagazineStaff (Not Credited)
Predictable but magnificent and satisfying. Read full review
80
TimeStaff (Not Credited)
What matters most and comes off best in the picture is the great scenes of spectacle, particularly the chariot race, a superbly handled crescendo of violence that ranks as one of the finest action sequences ever shot. All by itself it would be worth the price of admission. Read full review
80
New York Daily NewsKate Cameron
The race alone is well worth the price of admission. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesPeter Rainer
A movie like Ben-Hur, while almost never stirring or imaginative in the way that the true epics of Griffith or Gance or Kurosawa are, nevertheless has a basic appeal. Read full review
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