The movie Ben-Hur won 11 Oscar awards in the year 1959 in different categories. Directed by William Wyler and produced by Sam Zimbalist Ben Hur was an epic historical drama which starred Charlton Heston as the lead character. It was a remake of the 1925 silent movie and it was adapted from Lew Wallace's 1980 novel Ben-Hur.
It was one of the largest budget movie of that era as it was been made up with the huge budget of $15.175 million and the sets of the movie were largest among the movie which were been made at that time. It took around a whole year to complete the whole movie. Around 200 camels and 2500 horses were been used while shooting the film.
Here is the list of category for which this movie won 11 Oscar Awards:
- Best Picture – Sam Zimbalist (posthumous award)
- Best Director – William Wyler
- For the best actor in a Leading Role – Charlton Heston
- For the best actor in a Supporting Role – Hugh Griffith
- For best Art Direction-Set Decoration – Color – Edward C. Carfagno and William A. Horning(posthumous award) (art direction); Hugh Hunt (set decoration)
- Academy Award for best Cinematography – Color – Robert L. Surtees
- Award for the best Costume Design – Color – Elizabeth Haffenden
- For the best special Effects – A. Arnold Gillespie, Robert MacDonald, and Milo Lory
- Best Film Editing – John D. Dunning and Ralph E. Winters
- For the best Music – Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture – Miklós Rózsa
- For the best Sound Recording – Franklin Milton, MGM Studio Sound Department