During the first century A.D., Judah Ben-Hur is a young Hebrew prince thrown into slavery by the Romans after a tragic accident, who wins his way back to his home and a family on a heroic adventure of discovery. Judah's love for a beautiful slave girl is threatened by the bitter conflict dividing two former freinds, and his triumph is set against the backdrop of the historic struggle between a captive people and a mighty empire.
The production of BEN-HUR cost MGM $15 million dollars which was a big gamble because they were close to bankruptcy. The gamble paid off. The movie made $75 million.