Ben-Hur

In the year of our Lord...

...Judea, for nearly a century, had lain under the mastery of Rome.

In the seventh year of the reign of Augustus Caesar...

...an imperial decree ordered every Judean...

...each to return to his place of birth...

...to be counted and taxed.

The converging ways of many of them led to their capital city, Jerusalem...

...the troubled heart of their land.

The old city was dominated by the fortress of Antonia...

...the seat of Roman power...

...and by the great golden temple...

...the outward sign of an inward and imperishable faith.

Even while they obeyed the will of Caesar...

...the people clung proudly to their ancient heritage...

...always remembering the promise of their prophets...

...that one day there would be born among them a redeemer...

...to bring them salvation and perfect freedom.

You'll be counted at Hebron.

- Name? - Samuel.

- What city? - Joppa.

- What family? - Michael.

- Move on. Move on. - Yes.

- Name? - Joseph.

- What city? - Nazareth.

- What family? - David of Bethlehem.

- And the woman? - My wife.

Move on. You'll be counted at Bethlehem.

Come on, come on.

What village is this?

Nazareth.

We should arrive in Jerusalem tomorrow night.

You're not watching the soldiers, Joseph?

We've seen Romans before.

Yes...

...and we will see them again.

My table is not finished.

Where is your son?

- He's walking in the hills. - Mm-hm.

He neglects his work, Joseph.

No.

Once, I reproached him with forgetting his work. He said to me:

"I must be about my father's business."

Then why isn't he here, working?

He's working.

Trumpeters of the legion!

Welcome, Messala.

The command is yours.

Thank you.

Thank you for relieving me.

Drusus...

...when I was a boy, I dreamed of commanding this garrison.

Now the wheel has turned.

I am in command.

Attention!

Aisle one, face right!

Forward!

I'd forgotten the heat.

If it were only the heat.

I lived here until I was 14. Jerusalem was my home.

- My father was head of-- - Yes, I know.

Your father is well-remembered. Fine governor.

If there can be such a thing in this forsaken land.

If you want to rise, Sextus, do the difficult.

I asked to be sent here.

I think you'll find the people changed since you were a boy.

In what way?

Oh, won't pay their taxes, an irrational resentment of Rome...

There's nothing new in all that.

And then there's religion. I tell you, they're drunk with religion.

They smash the statues of our gods, even those of the emperor.

Punish them.

We do.

When we can find them.

Find the leaders.

Oh, you don't know. There's nothing you can put your finger on.

I tell you, there are strange forces at work here.

For instance, this "messiah" business--

I know. There was one predicted when I was a boy.

A king of the Jews, who will lead them into some sort of anti-Roman paradise.

Makes your head spin.

There's a wild man in the desert named John...

...who drowns people in water.

And a carpenter's son who does magic tricks. "Miracles" they call them.

There's always a rabble-rouser stirring up trouble.

No, no, no. This man is different.

He teaches that God is near, in every man.

It's actually quite profound, some of it.

You've been too long away from Rome.

Go back, Sextus.

Go to Capri. Bathe, rest, lie by the sea...

...and forget that God is in every man.

- There is divinity in only one man. - Yes, I know.

The emperor is displeased.

He wishes Judea made into a more obedient and disciplined province.

He has ordered me to restore order. I intend to carry out his wishes.

But how? You can break a man's skull, arrest him, throw him into a dungeon.

But how do you control what's up here? How do you fight an idea?

Especially a new idea.

There's a Jew outside. He wants to see the tribune Messala.

I assume he has a name.

- He says he's a prince, Judah Ben-Hur. - Then treat him like one!

Tell him I will join him.

Yes, tribune.

Centurion!

This was his country before it was ours.

Don't forget that.

Yes, tribune.

Very wise. This Ben-Hur is the richest man in Jerusalem.

And the head of one of the greatest families in Judea.

We were friends as boys.

We were like brothers.

Sextus...

...you ask how to fight an idea.

Well, I'll tell you how.

With another idea.

I said I'd come back.

I never thought you would.

I'm so glad.

- Look at you. - Look at you!

You've come back a tribune.

When I heard that news, I drank a toast to you.

We'll drink another now.

- Your sister and mother? - They're fine.

They've talked of you ever since we knew you were coming.

- Is Tirzah married? - No.

Suitors come and go, but she dreams.

She's been in love with you since she was 5.

I can't wait to see them.

Do you still hunt jackals and lions?

Or have you become too dignified?

- Down Eros, up Mars! - Down Eros, up Mars!

Where the beams cross?

Good.

After all these years!

Still close.

In every way.

I hope so.

I know.

You're a Roman, and I'm a Jew...

...whose life you once saved.

The best thing I ever did.

Judah...

...it will be very difficult to govern here.

I'm going to need help.

Your help. Your advice.

- You want my advice? - Yes, I do.

Withdraw your legions.

Give us our freedom.

Unfortunately, the emperor is devoted to his empire.

He's particularly fond of Judea.

And Judea's not fond of the emperor.

Is there anything so sad as unrequited love?

My quarters.

Hmm. A bit grim.

Not grim.

Austere. Virtuous.

Roman.

I'm going to be second-in-command to the new governor, Valerius Gratus.

He's arriving in a few days with two more legions.

Then the rumors are true.

The emperor does not approve of your countrymen.

There is rebellion in the wind. It will be crushed.

But you and your family need have no concern.

I'm next in authority to the governor, and you're my friend.

- I'm a Jew. - Ah, you are like a Roman!

What have you in common with the troublemaking rabble?

Rabble? They're my people. I'm one of them.

Be wise, Judah.

It's a Roman world. If you want to live in it, you must become part of it.

You've changed.

I've grown up. I've seen the world since I left Jerusalem.

I've seen Rome. It's no accident that one small village on the Tiber...

...was chosen to rule the world.

Your legions.

It wasn't just our legions.

Other countries have armies, fine armies. I know, I fought them.

Oh, no.

No, it was fate that chose us to civilize the world. And we have.

Our roads and ships connect every corner of the earth.

Roman law, architecture, literature are the glory of the human race.

I believe in the future of my people.

Of course you do. And you can help them.

How?

You're an aristocrat.

Your family's name is honored. You're a prince among your people.

You're rich and powerful. Your reputation is stainless.

They'd listen if you spoke out against rebellion.

Persuade your people that their resistance to Rome is stupid.

It is worse than stupid, futile!

For it can end in only one way, extinction for your people!

I'm against violence. Everyone knows this.

I've spoken against it. I shall do so again.

Then we're agreed!

Now, when can I come to see your family?

- We had hoped tomorrow. - Good.

And now for our toast.

It's dreadful wine, by the way.

It's especially fermented for the Roman army.

You're very cruel to your conquerors.

It's an insane world.