TABLET MAG
The Miracle of ‘Ben-Hur,’ Hollywood’s Tastiest Christo-Zionist Epic
Thomas Doherty
March 28, 2024

In the American Masters documentary Directed by William Wyler (1986), Charlton Heston tells the kind of story that gives actors night terrors. He is starring in the title role of MGM’s $15 million epic Ben-Hur. The dailies are coming back and director William Wyler is not happy. Heston can take criticism, he can work with a director, he appreciates guidance. What do you need? he asks “Better,” snaps Wyler. Heston got better of course. Ben-Hur went on to win 11 Academy Awards, save MGM from insolvency, and imprint itself on the popular imagination. READ MORE