Ben-Hur (1959)

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→ Influenced 6 films ← Inspired by 4 films

In 25 AD, Judah Ben-Hur, a Jew in ancient Judea, opposes the occupying Roman empire. Falsely accused by a Roman childhood friend-turned-overlord of trying to kill the Roman governor, he is put into slavery and his mother and sister are taken away as prisoners.

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Connections

← Inspired By

Quo Vadis
Quo Vadis (1951)1
 The Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments (1956)2
 The Robe
The Robe (1953)3

→ Influenced

Any Given Sunday
Any Given Sunday (1999)4
 Gladiator
Gladiator (2000)5
 Hail, Caesar!
Hail, Caesar! (2016)6
 Mad Max: Fury Road
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)7
 Spartacus
Spartacus (1960)8
 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)9

Sources

Influenced By

  1. Quo Vadis (1951)
    "This epic film set in ancient Rome influenced "Ben-Hur" in terms of grandeur and scale. Notably, Miklós Rózsa composed the musical scores for both films, bringing a similar epic and dramatic tone to "Ben-Hur."" Ben-Hur %281959 film%29 Wikipedia
  2. The Ten Commandments (1956)
    "Directed by Cecil B. DeMille, this biblical epic set a precedent for large-scale religious films. William Wyler aimed to create a "thinking man's" biblical epic, potentially as a response to DeMille's work." Ben-Hur %281959 film%29 Wikipedia
  3. The Robe (1953)
    "As the first film released in CinemaScope, "The Robe" demonstrated the potential of widescreen formats for epic storytelling. This technological advancement influenced "Ben-Hur" to utilize a similar format to enhance its visual spectacle." Ben-Hur %281959 film%29 Wikipedia

Influenced

  1. Any Given Sunday (1999)
    "In *Any Given Sunday*, Coach Tony D'Amato watches *Ben-Hur*, drawing a direct comparison between football players and gladiators. This reference underscores the film's theme of athletes as modern-day warriors." Out of bounds Dallas Observer
  2. Gladiator (2000)
    "In 25 AD, Judah Ben-Hur, a Jew in ancient Judea, opposes the occupying Roman empire. Falsely accused by a Roman childhood friend-turned-overlord of trying to kill the Roman governor, he is put into slavery and his mother and sister are taken away as prisoners."
  3. Hail, Caesar! (2016)
    "The titular film within "Hail, Caesar!" mirrors the grand biblical epics of the 1950s, particularly "Ben-Hur." A notable scene in "Hail, Caesar!"—where a Roman soldier encounters Jesus, whose face remains unseen—parallels a similar moment in "Ben-Hur."" Hail, Caesar!: 5 movies to watch before the Coen brothers' latest | The Independent The Independent
  4. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
    "The iconic chariot race in this classic film influenced the high-speed chases in "Fury Road."" The Enigmatic Thrill of Mad Max: Fury Road: A High-Octane Odyssey The Writing Studio
  5. Spartacus (1960)
    "Directed by William Wyler, this epic film set a high standard for historical dramas. Kirk Douglas, who produced and starred in "Spartacus," was reportedly motivated to create his own epic after being passed over for the lead role in "Ben-Hur."" Spartacus %28film%29 Wikipedia
  6. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
    "The epic scale and detailed craftsmanship of "Ben-Hur," including its extensive use of hand-tooled armor and massive set pieces, influenced Jackson's commitment to practical effects and elaborate set designs in his trilogy." How Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Married Hollywood’s Past and Future Soham Gadre Gizmodo