Ben-Hur

Ben-Hur is the fictional story of Judah Ben-Hur, a Judean aristocrat who, during the reign of the Roman Emperor Tiberius, is enslaved through the betrayal of his Roman friend Messala. Embittered and vengeful after regaining his freedom, he is redeemed after encountering Jesus and witnessing his crucifixion. Originally a Lew Wallace novel of 1880, the story has been adapted for stage, screen and radio numerous times.

Book, play, musicals and films:
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ is an 1880 book by Lew Wallace
Ben-Hur is an 1899 Broadway play
Ben Hur (1907 film) is a 1907 silent film
Ben-Hur (1925 film) is a 1925 silent film
Ben-Hur (1959 film) is a 1959 film starring Charlton Heston, and the best-known version
Ben-Hur, the Musical is a 1999 stage musical that premiered in Orlando, Florida
Judah Ben-Hur is a 2001 Broadway bound musical that premiered in Singapore
Ben Hur (2003 film) is a 2003 animated film in which Charlton Heston reprises the voice of Judah Ben-Hur

There is also a BBC radio serialisation in four episodes, originally broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1995 and subsequently rerun on BBC 7. The series featured Jamie Glover in the title role and Samuel West as Messala. The cast also includes Freddie Jones, Michael Hordern, Phyllis Calvert, Bernard Hepton and Michael Gambon.

Ben Hur is also the name of a number of Argentine sports clubs, the most important being the one located in Rafaela.