BEN-HUR, made in 1959, was the third movie to be made from Lew Wallace's successful novel, Ben-Hur: A Tale of The Christ. The story takes place in the Holy Land just as a young carpenter from Nazareth is preaching a gospel of peace and mercy. Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston) is Jerusalem's richest and most respected Jewish citizen. He's aware that the legions of Roman soldiers who have entered the city are on their way to conquering the world for Rome's emperor, who wants to be worshipped as a god. Ruling Israel and its citizenry would be a jewel in Rome's predatory crown. Furious that Judah, his childhood best friend, will not aid him in winning the hearts and minds of his Jewish compatriots in the city, Roman tribune Messala (Stephen Boyd) sells Judah into slavery and imprisons his mother and sister. Banished to a galley ship, Judah spends years rowing under the merciless cruelty of Roman taskmasters. It is only because of his bravery in a great sea battle that Judah is set free to return to Jerusalem. There, with the support of an Arab sheik and his long-time Jewish allies, Judah searches for his family and seeks vengeance on his old Roman "friend." After Judah defeats Messala in a chariot race that symbolizes the fight between good and evil, Judah is shocked to discover the awful circumstances of his family's imprisonment. By that time, the carpenter from Nazareth has become a major spiritual force in the lives of Israel's people. Jesus's miracles, crucifixion, and the conversion of the populace to his gentle doctrine of kindness and faith finally offer peace and hope to Judah and those he loves.