The above 16-minute video is the full chariot race scene from the 1959 epic Ben-Hur, directed by William Wyler.
In the scene Judah Ben-Hur, played by Charlton Heston, faces off against his former friend Messala, played by Stephen Boyd, in the chariot race set in ancient Rome.
To watch the scene, click the above play button at the left of the feature image.
This iconic sequence is renowned as one of the greatest stunt achievements in film history, choreographed by Enos Edward “Yakima” Canutt and filmed by cinematographer Freddie Young.
It was filmed at Cinecittá Studios just outside of Rome, which was specially constructed to accommodate a 1,200-foot-long track complete with a grandstand for spectators.
The scene took nearly a year to complete, and more than 70 horses were brought in for the production.
The scene contributed to the film’s success at the Academy Awards, where it won a total of 11 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director.
Ben-Hur Film Adaptations
There have been several major film adaptations of Ben-Hur, all based on the novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, written by Lew Wallace, which was published in 1880.
The novel tells the story of Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince in Jerusalem who is betrayed by his childhood friend, Messala, and goes through a journey of revenge, redemption, and faith, intersecting with the life of Jesus Christ.
Outside of the above 1959 version, other adaptations include 1925’s silent film Ben-Hur and 2016’s Ben-Hur.
