page_title: Judah Ben-Hur
section_title: Adaptations
hierarchical_section_title: Judah Ben-Hur / Adaptations
caption_attribution_description: English: Ramon Novarro as Ben-Hur, from the American drama film Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925), in Photoplay April 1925.
context_page_description: Judah Ben-Hur, shortened to Ben-Hur, is a fictional character, the title character and main protagonist from Lew Wallace's 1880 novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ. The book covers the character's adventures and struggle against the Roman Empire as he tries to restore honour to his family's name after being falsely accused of attacking the Roman governor. Judah encounters Jesus Christ and becomes a Christian.
context_section_description: In the 1899 Broadway play, Ben-Hur was portrayed by Edward J.Morgan who replaced Walker Whiteside at the last minute.
  In the 1925 silent film Ben-Hur was portrayed by Ramon Novarro.
  In the 1959 film directed by William Wyler, Ben-Hur was played by Charlton Heston who won the Academy Award for Best Actor. Marlon Brando, Burt Lancaster, Paul Newman and Rock Hudson turned down the role before Heston accepted it. In this version, Ben-Hur becomes a Christian at the Crucifixion of Christ; whereas in the book Ben-Hur becomes a Christian earlier. Ben-Hur is given a more bitter personality; Balthazar, one of the three wise men having witnessed the birth of Christ begs him to listen to the teachings of Jesus but Judah rebuffs him saying that he has business with Rome. Blaming Rome for destroying the once good Messala (prior to his corruption) and what has happened to his family, Judah refuses to have anything more to do the Empire – and asks Pilate to return his ring to his adoptive father, Quintus Arrius. In contrast with the book, while witnessing the Crucifixion, Judah comes to realise that forgiveness is better than vengeance feeling Jesus' voice taking the sword of anger and hatred out of his hand.
  Heston reprised his role in the 2003 animated film. Although this version is similar to the 1959 film, some differences include Ben-Hur, his family, Balthazar and a redeemed Messala witnessing the Crucifixion together.
  Judah Ben-Hur also appears in the Back to the Future animated series episode Roman Holiday.
  On stage, Ben-Hur was portrayed by Sebastian Thrun, which premiered at the O2 Arena in London in 2009.
  In the 2010 television miniseries, Ben-Hur was played by Joseph Morgan.
  The character was portrayed by Jack Huston in the 2016 film.
  In contrast with the novel most of the adaptations end with Judah being reunited with Miriam and Tirzah. The aftermath and his marriage to Esther is also not part of some of the adaptation's plot with the exception of the 2003 animated film, where Judah shares with his children his adventures and faith in Jesus.
caption: Ramon Novarro as Ben-Hur (1925)
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