Directed by: William Wyler Written by: Gore Vidal, Christopher Fry, Karl Tunberg Release date: 1959-11-18 Cast: Charlton Heston (as Judah Ben-Hur), Jack Hawkins (as Quintus Arrius), Haya Harareet (as Esther), Stephen Boyd (as Messala), Hugh Griffith (as Sheik Ilderim), Claude Heater (as Jesus), Sam Jaffe (as Simonides), Cathy O'Donnell (as Tirzah), Martha Scott (as Miriam), George Relph Genre: Remake, Epic, Religious Film, Sword and Sandal, Action, Movies About Gladiators, Roadshow theatrical release, LGBT, Christian film, Costume drama Distributor: Warner Bros. Entertainment, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Producer: William Wyler, Sam Zimbalist Editor: Ralph E. Winters Estimated Budget: US$ - 15,000,000 Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Awards: Academy Award for Best PictureAcademy Award for Actor in a Leading RoleAcademy Award for Best DirectorAcademy Award for Film EditingAcademy Award for Actor in a Supporting RoleAcademy Award for Best CinematographyGolden Globe Award for Best Drama FilmGolden Globe Award for Best Director - FilmGolden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - FilmBAFTA Award for Best Film