History YMMV / BenHur

* SignatureScene: The chariot race. So much so that early stage versions of the novel had it as the climax, which later film versions followed suit until 1959, despite the real resolution to Ben-Hur's story being later, much later in the novel. The races in the 1925 and 1959 versions are justly remembered as among the most spectacular film sequences ever made, with only practical effects at that.

* IAmNotShazam: ''Ben-Hur'' is just a title to the character, who's name is Judah. It is a familial title, ''Ben'' translated as "Son of...". In the story, the title is rarely used as a sole reference, except when mentioned in full: Judah Ben-Hur.

** An AnimatedAdaptation that was made between the two Heston films featured Messala at one point referring to Drusus as "My Drusus." Of course, he previously refers to Drusus in the same scene as "Drusus, my friend." so whether or not there is something between them or if there are other men of that name present (and given Roman naming conventions, there likely is) that he is on less friendly terms with is up to interpretation. Likewise, early in the adaptation, Judah refers to Messala as "my Messala", when referring to him before he left for Rome.

** An AnimatedAdaptation that was made between the two Heston films featured Messala at one point referring to Drusus as "My Drusus." Of course, he previously refers to Drusus in the same scene as "Drusus, my friend." so whether or not there is something between them or if there are other men of that name present that he is on less friendly terms with is up to interpretation. Likewise, early in the adaptation, Judah refers to Messala as "my Messala", when referring to him before he left for Rome.

** An AnimatedAdaptation that was made between the two Heston films featured Messala at one point referring to Drusus as "My Drusus." Of course, he previously refers to Drusus in the same scene as "Drusus, my friend." so whether or not there is something between them or if there are other men of that name present that he is on less friendly terms with is up to interpretation.

** As impossible as it may seem, an AnimatedAdaptation that was made between the two Heston films took it a step further by Messala at one point referring to Drusus as "My Drusus." Of course, he previously refers to Drusus in the same scene as "Drusus, my friend." so whether or not there is something between them or if there are other men of that name present that he is on less friendly terms with is up to interpretation.
** The novel also hints to Messala partaking in homosexuality. There is a chapter of Messala being in a Roman orgy with no female presence. Boys are included, however.

** The guys in the bathhouse when Ilderim arrives to make book on the upcoming race.
** The Novel also hints to Messala partaking in homosexuality. There is a chapter of Messala being in a Roman Orgy with no female presence. Boys are included, however.

** Legend has it that Creator/StephenBoyd had to play his part as if Messala was a gay man when both he and Judah Ben Hur are reunited, while Creator/CharltonHeston played Judah straight. If it's true, it shows.
** There seems to be a little something between Messala and his henchman Drusus. Watch Drusus when Messala gets trampled in the race.

* ToughActToFollow: After the 1959 adaptation became one of the all-time cinema masterpieces, it was a bit eyebrow raising to hear about a new version in 2016. That one ended up critically lambasted and one of the biggest busts of the infamously BoxOfficeBomb-laden 2016 summer.

* AdaptationDisplacement: Everybody knows about the 1959 movie, few have read, or even heard about the novel, nor are they aware of the previous film adaptations. Although to be fair, it was the best-selling novel of the nineteenth century, and it was second only to, ironically enough, ''Literature/TheBible'' itself as the best-selling book in America until ''Literature/GoneWithTheWind'' dethroned it over fifty years later.
** The 1925 Silent Classic doesn't appear to get much acknowledgment since the 2016 film was released, with the 1959 version being called "the original."

* ValuesResonance: The story's conflict is just as relevant today as it was then. Judah and Messala tragically becoming enemies due to their differing ideologies is all the more applicable in the era of partisan politics. Furthermore, the argument Messala and Judah have in the 1959 film adaptation about Rome conquering the Jewish people can easily be mistaken for a modern-day debate on American involvement in UsefulNotes/TheMiddleEast.

* SignatureScene:
** The chariot race. So much so that early stage versions of the novel had it as the climax, which later film versions followed suit until 1959, despite the real resolution to Ben-Hur's story being later, much later in the novel. The races in the 1925 and 1959 versions are justly remembered as among the most spectacular film sequences ever made, with only practical effects at that.
** The most memorable scene in the 2016 version is often cited to be not the chariot race, but the Romans entering Jerusalem, singing a Latin marching song which has no equivalent in any previous version. It's based on the modern military cadence "I Hear The Choppers Coming", though it is very, very unlikely the tune is ''that'' old.
--->''O Roma, o Roma...'' (Oh Rome, oh Rome...)
--->''Legio aeterna, aeterna, victrix.'' (Legion eternal, eternal, victorious.)
--->''Sit Italica sua vis, nostrum munus patri Marti.'' (Her strength is Italian, our duty to the father Mars.)
--->''Supra terram Britannorum volat aquila legionum.'' (Above the land of the Britons flies the eagle of the legions.)
--->''A ferventi aestuosa Libya volat aquila legionum.'' (From scorching hot Libya flies the eagle of the legions.)