# Ben-Hur

> 1959 American epic historical drama film by William Wyler

**Wikidata**: [Q180098](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q180098)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben-Hur_(1959_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ben-hur

## Summary

Ben-Hur is a 1959 movie blending epic film, drama, action, sword-and-sandal, and novel-based genres . It won the Academy Award for Best Picture [1]. The film also received the Academy Award for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director, Best Cinematography (Color), and Best Film Editing, along with two additional Oscars [1].Directed by William Wyler, it remains one of the most decorated films in Academy Awards history [1]. The story adapts Lew Wallace’s 1880 novel *Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ* . Its production and performances set benchmarks for large-scale historical dramas [1].

## Summary
Ben-Hur is a 1959 American epic historical drama film directed by William Wyler. Produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the film is categorized within the epic, drama, action, and sword-and-sandal genres. It is a critically acclaimed work preserved in the National Film Registry and included in the Vatican's list of films.

## Key Facts
- Directed by William Wyler, a Swiss-German-American director and producer (1902–1981).
- Produced and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, an American media company founded on April 17, 1924.
- Country of origin is the United States.
- Publication dates include November 18, 1959; October 14, 1960; and September 20, 1962.
- Classified as an epic film, drama film, action film, and sword-and-sandal film.
- Official website is http://benhurmovie.com/.
- Awarded the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Film Editing, and Best Sound.
- Recognized by the National Board of Review: Top Ten Films.
- Included in the Vatican's list of films (inception 1995).
- Selected for preservation in the National Film Registry (inception 1988).

## FAQs
**Who directed Ben-Hur?**
William Wyler, a Swiss-German-American director and producer born in 1902, served as the director of the film.

**What company produced the film?**
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), an American film and television distribution company established in 1924, produced the movie.

**What awards did Ben-Hur receive?**
The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Film Editing, and Best Sound. It was also named to the National Board of Review: Top Ten Films.

**Is Ben-Hur preserved in any national archives?**
Yes, it is part of the National Film Registry, a selection of films chosen for preservation in the United States Library of Congress.

**What are the film's genres?**
Ben-Hur is classified as an epic film, drama film, action film, and sword-and-sandal film, the latter being a genre of largely Italian-made historical or biblical epics.

## Why It Matters
Ben-Hur represents a significant achievement in the epic and sword-and-sandal film genres, noted for its large scale and spectacle. Its selection for the National Film Registry highlights its cultural, historical, and aesthetic importance to the United States, ensuring its preservation for future generations. The film's dominance at the Academy Awards, securing top honors for Best Picture, Director, Actor, Supporting Actor, Editing, and Sound, underscores its technical and artistic excellence. Furthermore, its inclusion in the Vatican's list of films signifies its thematic resonance and value beyond standard commercial entertainment.

## Notable For
- Winning the Academy Award for Best Picture.
- Earning William Wyler the Academy Award for Best Director.
- Receiving Academy Awards for both Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor.
- Achieving technical recognition with Academy Awards for Best Film Editing and Best Sound.
- Being featured on the National Board of Review: Top Ten Films.
- Inclusion in the Vatican's list of films.
- Selection for preservation in the National Film Registry.

## Body

### Production and Direction
Ben-Hur was directed by William Wyler, a prominent figure in the industry known for his work as a director and producer. Wyler, who lived from 1902 to 1981, held citizenship in both the United States and Switzerland. The film was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), a major American organization in the film and television industry. MGM was founded on April 17, 1924, and is headquartered in the United States.

### Genre and Classification
The film is defined by its classification as an epic film, a genre characterized by large scale, sweeping scope, and spectacle. Additionally, it falls under the categories of drama film and action film. It is also specifically identified as a sword-and-sandal film, a genre largely consisting of Italian-made historical or biblical epic films.

### Release and Distribution
Ben-Hur was released in the United States, with specific publication dates recorded as November 18, 1959; October 14, 1960; and September 20, 1962. The entity is also known by the alias "Ben Hur" and maintains an official presence at http://benhurmovie.com/. The film's Wikipedia entry is titled "Ben-Hur (1959 film)" and holds a sitelink count of 77.

### Awards and Recognition
The film received extensive recognition from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. It won the Academy Award for Best Picture, an annual award established in 1929. William Wyler received the Academy Award for Best Director. The performances in the film were honored with the Academy Award for Best Actor and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Technical achievements were acknowledged with the Academy Award for Best Film Editing, established in 1935, and the Academy Award for Best Sound. Furthermore, the film was distinguished by its inclusion in the National Board of Review: Top Ten Films.

### Preservation and Legacy
Ben-Hur holds a significant place in film preservation and cultural lists. It is part of the Vatican's list of films, a list with an inception date of 1995. Additionally, the film was selected for the National Film Registry. This registry, which began in 1988, is a selection of films chosen for preservation in the United States Library of Congress.

## References

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