By evaluating the 1959 film Ben-Hur, William Wyler sheds light on how the Jewish and Roman traditions are unified into the new religion of Christianity. William Wyler shows the impact of Christianity on both the Jews and the Romans by the actions that take place between two people on two different paths. Judah Ben-Hur, a rich Jewish prince, clashes with his old friend Messala. With Messala’s newly appointed role of Tribune, he is now set on ensuring that the Roman empire remains the most powerful empire on earth. While on the other hand, Judah’s focus is on his faith and to see that the Jewish people are given the liberties that they deserve. With neither Messala nor Judah being on the same wavelength, Judah is left with an ultimatum to join Messala and to help track down local
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Just before Judah’s escape, he saved the Roman Consul Quintus Arrius from death. Arrius then freed and adopted Judah for saving him. After a few years, Judah returns to Judea to continue on his journey to free his family and seek revenge on Messala. Judah now has the power he needs to confront Messala. Judah told Messala that he has one day to find his mother and sister. Judah told that his family had been killed, as Judah’s mother and sister did not want him to see them in such bad shape.
Just before Messala dies, he informs Judah that his mother and sister are actually alive living as lepers. In Messala’s famous quote, “The game goes on Judah!”
The theme can be correlation to Messala and to Jesus. Both of them die, but both of them win as a result. Messala does not allow Judah to seek his ultimate mission of saving his family, and Jesus rose from the dead to save Christians from their original sin. There may also be a message of perseverance in the film, as there were many times that Judah could have given up. Judah’s persistence and faith gave him what he ultimately desired: justice and his family
Just before Judah’s escape, he saved the Roman Consul Quintus Arrius from death. Arrius then freed and adopted Judah for saving him. After a few years, Judah returns to Judea to continue on his journey to free his family and seek revenge on Messala. Judah now has the power he needs to confront Messala. Judah told Messala that he has one day to find his mother and sister. Judah told that his family had been killed, as Judah’s mother and sister did not want him to see them in such bad shape.
Just before Messala dies, he informs Judah that his mother and sister are actually alive living as lepers. In Messala’s famous quote, “The game goes on Judah!”
The theme can be correlation to Messala and to Jesus. Both of them die, but both of them win as a result. Messala does not allow Judah to seek his ultimate mission of saving his family, and Jesus rose from the dead to save Christians from their original sin. There may also be a message of perseverance in the film, as there were many times that Judah could have given up. Judah’s persistence and faith gave him what he ultimately desired: justice and his family