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Ben Hur

Judah Ben Hur and Messala are best friends, growing up together in Roman-occupied Jerusalem. Messala is torn from the Hur family by his estranged father and taken to Rome for military training but returns to Jerusalem years later in charge of the Roman garrison. When Ben Hur's family is blamed for an uprising during Pontius Pilate's arrival, Messala makes an example of them, sending Ben Hur to the galleys and his sister and mother to prison. After three years in the torturous galleys as a slave rower, his desire for revenge growing by the day, Ben Hur returns to Jerusalem to settle the score between him and Messala in a tense and exhilarating chariot race that tests their characters to the maximum.

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Cast & Crew See All

Joseph Morgan
Ben Hur
Stephen Campbell Moore
Messala
Emily VanCamp
Esther

Season 1 Episode Guide See All

Episode 1

Part 1

Sun, Mar 31, 2013

Judah Ben-Hur lives in Jerusalem with his mother Ruth,sister Tirzah and his friend Messala,illegitimate son of the patrician Roman Marcellus who has virtually disowned the boy. On reaching manhood Messala becomes an officer in the Roman army and is part of a parade headed by governor Pontius Pilate which will march in triumph through Jerusalem to show Roman power. Judah's family watch but accidentally dislodge a tile from the roof which hits Pilate. The family steward David,a Zealot,exploits the accident to start a riot. Seeking to show the governor his power Messala has the family arrested. The women are imprisoned and Simonides,father of Judah's betrothed Esther,crucified - though he survives. Judah is sent as a galley slave in chains and on his way to the ship encounters Jesus. After three years as a galley slave Judah's intelligence impresses the admiral,wealthy Roman Quintus Arrius,and when the ship is involved in a battle with pirates Arrius has Judah's chains unlocked. Ony Judah and Arrius survive the attack,the young slave saving the older man's life and when they are ultimately rescued Arrius makes Judah his son,renaming him Sextus Arrius.

Where to Watch
Ben Hur, Season 1 Episode 1 image

Awards

  • 2010 - Gemini - Best Sound in a Dramatic Program - nominated
  • 2011 - CSC Award - Best Cinematography in TV Drama - winner
  • 2010 - Gemini - Best Visual Effects - winner
  • 2011 - ACTRA Montreal Award - Oustanding Performance - Female - winner

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