Ben-Hur (1959)
History, Drama, Adventure, Action • 3h 32m
Overview
In 25 AD, Judah Ben-Hur, a Jew in ancient Judea, opposes the occupying Roman empire. Falsely accused by a Roman childhood friend-turned-overlord of trying to kill the Roman governor, he is put into slavery and his mother and sister are taken away as prisoners.
Director: William Wyler
Cast: Charlton Heston, Stephen Boyd, Hugh Griffith, Jack Hawkins, Haya Harareet, Martha Scott, Cathy O'Donnell, Sam Jaffe, Finlay Currie, Frank Thring, George Relph, André Morell, Terence Longdon, Ady Berber, Lando Buzzanca, Giuliano Gemma, Marina Berti, Robert Brown, Liana Del Balzo, Enzo Fiermonte, Richard Hale, Duncan Lamont, John Le Mesurier, Ferdy Mayne, May McAvoy, Aldo Silvani, Ralph Truman, Claude Heater, Joe Canutt, Richard Coleman, Antonio Corevi, David Davies, Mino Doro, Michael Dugan, Franco Fantasia, José Greci, John Horsley, Howard Lang, Stevenson Lang, Tutte Lemkow, Cliff Lyons, Tiberio Mitri, Remington Olmsted, Laurence Payne, Aldo Pini, Diego Pozzetto, Stella Rho, Edwin Richfield, Hector Ross, Maxwell Shaw, Gianni Solaro, Pietro Tordi, Raimondo Van Riel, Dervis Ward, Joe Yrigoyen, Nazzareno Zamperla, Jerry Brown, Eddie Jauregui, Gianni Di Segni, Armando Fracassi, Osiride Pevarello, Renzo Pevarello, Amerigo Santarelli, Artemio Antonini, Aldo Cecconi, Mario Meniconi, Terzo Monachesi, Giorgio Ubaldi, Umberto Alivernini
Director: Orson Welles
MoC 4K Blu-ray and Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray are similar
Director: Orson Welles
MoC 4K Blu-ray and Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray are similar
Director: Robert Wise
Disney 4K Blu-ray, see caps https://slow.pics/c/hE3HUCdj
Disney 4K Atmos is great, a reference quality track. It's a very slight remix (music seems to be from a better source), but it's completely seamless and faithful to the original, better fidelity than anything since the 1994 30th Anniversary Edition LaserDisc.
All DVDs (and 2010 Blu-ray) sound far worse than the 4K Blu-ray/LaserDisc and have various missing sound cues.
Director: Robert Wise
Disney 4K Blu-ray, see caps https://slow.pics/c/hE3HUCdj
Disney 4K Atmos is great, a reference quality track. It's a very slight remix (music seems to be from a better source), but it's completely seamless and faithful to the original, better fidelity than anything since the 1994 30th Anniversary Edition LaserDisc.
All DVDs (and 2010 Blu-ray) sound far worse than the 4K Blu-ray/LaserDisc and have various missing sound cues.
Director: André de Toth
2D version: Warner Archive Blu-ray
3D version: Warner Archive 3D Blu-ray
2D version: Warner Archive Blu-ray
3D version: Warner Archive 3D Blu-ray
Director: André de Toth
2D version: Warner Archive Blu-ray
3D version: Warner Archive 3D Blu-ray
2D version: Warner Archive Blu-ray
3D version: Warner Archive 3D Blu-ray
Director: Sidney Lumet
2026 Criterion 4K Blu-ray
2011 Criterion Blu-ray is the best. Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray has heavily filtered audio
Director: Sidney Lumet
2026 Criterion 4K Blu-ray
2011 Criterion Blu-ray is the best. Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray has heavily filtered audio
Director: John McTiernan
Director: John McTiernan
Director: John Ford
Director: John Ford
1991 Warner Bros LaserDisc (for original mono track)
1996 Warner Bros 25th Anniversary LaserDisc has isolated music and effects track (incorrectly labeled "music minus vocals") not present on any other release
1991 Warner Bros LaserDisc (for original mono track)
1996 Warner Bros 25th Anniversary LaserDisc has isolated music and effects track (incorrectly labeled "music minus vocals") not present on any other release
Director: Alfred E. Green
Director: Alfred E. Green
Director: John Waters
Director: John Waters
Director: William Wyler
Kino Lorber Blu-ray/Final Cut Blu-ray
Kino Lorber Blu-ray/Final Cut Blu-ray
The Kino BD has additional extras but the Laserdisc still has exclusive extras and commentary not included on the Kino release. AVOID the MGM Blu-ray for the stretched aspect ratio error that was only finally corrected for the Kino Lorber reissue after much fan outcry.
Director: William Wyler
Kino Lorber Blu-ray/Final Cut Blu-ray
Kino Lorber Blu-ray/Final Cut Blu-ray
The Kino BD has additional extras but the Laserdisc still has exclusive extras and commentary not included on the Kino release. AVOID the MGM Blu-ray for the stretched aspect ratio error that was only finally corrected for the Kino Lorber reissue after much fan outcry.
Director: William Wyler
Kino Lorber Blu-ray 4K restoration
Director: William Wyler
Kino Lorber Blu-ray 4K restoration
Director: William Wyler
Director: William Wyler
Director: William Wyler
Director: William Wyler
Director: William Wyler
Director: William Wyler
Director: William Wyler
Italy Plaion 4K Blu-ray > Paramount 4K Blu-ray (marginally)
Director: William Wyler
Italy Plaion 4K Blu-ray > Paramount 4K Blu-ray (marginally)
Director: William Wyler
Director: William Wyler
Director: William Wyler
Director: William Wyler
Director: William Wyler
Director: William Wyler
International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray
International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray > US Paramount 4K Blu-ray for the US Cut.
International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray, is significantly better than the US Paramount 4K Blu-ray (even with FEL Baked in and Dolby Vision), with more grain retention and detail
SDR Comparisons: International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray vs US Paramount 4K Blu-ray: https://slow.pics/c/TEPHtKjl
HDR Comparisons: International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray vs US Paramount 4K Blu-ray: https://slow.pics/c/hIFe11Hx
Comparisons in SDR using L8 Trim from CM v4.0 (both UHDs can use CM v4.0): Remux vs USA UHD: https://slow.pics/c/mkrhVtpl
The International Cut, which contains alternate, more violent shots in the final act, hasn't been released on home video to date.
International Cut contains alternate, more violent shots in the final act.
International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray
International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray > US Paramount 4K Blu-ray for the US Cut.
International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray, is significantly better than the US Paramount 4K Blu-ray (even with FEL Baked in and Dolby Vision), with more grain retention and detail
SDR Comparisons: International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray vs US Paramount 4K Blu-ray: https://slow.pics/c/TEPHtKjl
HDR Comparisons: International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray vs US Paramount 4K Blu-ray: https://slow.pics/c/hIFe11Hx
Comparisons in SDR using L8 Trim from CM v4.0 (both UHDs can use CM v4.0): Remux vs USA UHD: https://slow.pics/c/mkrhVtpl
The International Cut, which contains alternate, more violent shots in the final act, hasn't been released on home video to date.
International Cut contains alternate, more violent shots in the final act.
Director: Mike Hodges
Director: Mike Hodges
Director: Nicholas Ray
Director: Nicholas Ray
Director: Bob Clark
Director: Bob Clark
Director: Martin Scorsese
2024 Second Sight 4K Blu-ray
2024 Second Sight 4K Blu-ray
Director: Martin Scorsese
2024 Second Sight 4K Blu-ray
2024 Second Sight 4K Blu-ray
Director: Chuck Russell
Director: Chuck Russell
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Like previous releases, the 4K Blu-ray was scanned from an interpositive rather than the original camera negative at Paul Thomas Anderson’s request which may explain the softness.
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Like previous releases, the 4K Blu-ray was scanned from an interpositive rather than the original camera negative at Paul Thomas Anderson’s request which may explain the softness.
WB 4K Blu-ray, caveat: mild DNR throughout the transfer, non-IMAX scenes appear soft due to being scanned from an interpositive rather than the original camera negative.
Best Buy exclusive Steelbook Blu-ray has the exclusive The Dark Knight Reborn Featurette
WB 4K Blu-ray, caveat: mild DNR throughout the transfer, non-IMAX scenes appear soft due to being scanned from an interpositive rather than the original camera negative.
Best Buy exclusive Steelbook Blu-ray has the exclusive The Dark Knight Reborn Featurette
Edit History
5/24/2026
Additional Info
From
The 50th Anniversary box set has some exclusive extras.
1991 LD is Dolby Stereo matrix encoded from the original six track master and this was later upgraded to a 5.1 Dolby Digital version prepared for the first DVD. The 5.1 version may have had some slight tweaking in the process. This was reused for the DVD CE boxset and then the 5.1 on Blu-ray seems like a slight upgrade of the DVD track. (The first pressing from the UCE boxset had audio defects rampant on the BD. These were corrected for standalone pressings.) All 5.1s sound roughly the same as the LD 2.0 in terms of the mix, but the LD PCM mastering seems like the only one that is direct without any major processing.
To
The 50th Anniversary box set has some exclusive extras.
1991 LaserDisc is Dolby Stereo matrix encoded from the original six track master and this was later upgraded to a 5.1 Dolby Digital version prepared for the first DVD. The 5.1 version may have had some slight tweaking in the process. This was reused for the DVD CE boxset and then the 5.1 on Blu-ray seems like a slight upgrade of the DVD track. (The first pressing from the UCE boxset had audio defects rampant on the Blu-ray. These were corrected for standalone pressings.) All 5.1s sound roughly the same as the LaserDisc 2.0 in terms of the mix, but the LaserDisc PCM mastering seems like the only one that is direct without any major processing.
From
The 50th Anniversary box set has some exclusive extras.
1991 LD is Dolby Stereo matrix encoded from the original six track master and this was later upgraded to a 5.1 Dolby Digital version prepared for the first DVD. The 5.1 version may have had some slight tweaking in the process. This was reused for the DVD CE boxset and then the 5.1 on Blu-ray seems like a slight upgrade of the DVD track. (The first pressing from the UCE boxset had audio defects rampant on the BD. These were corrected for standalone pressings.) All 5.1s sound roughly the same as the LD 2.0 in terms of the mix, but the LD PCM mastering seems like the only one that is direct without any major processing.
To
The 50th Anniversary box set has some exclusive extras.
1991 LaserDisc is Dolby Stereo matrix encoded from the original six track master and this was later upgraded to a 5.1 Dolby Digital version prepared for the first DVD. The 5.1 version may have had some slight tweaking in the process. This was reused for the DVD CE boxset and then the 5.1 on Blu-ray seems like a slight upgrade of the DVD track. (The first pressing from the UCE boxset had audio defects rampant on the Blu-ray. These were corrected for standalone pressings.) All 5.1s sound roughly the same as the LaserDisc 2.0 in terms of the mix, but the LaserDisc PCM mastering seems like the only one that is direct without any major processing.
3/31/2026
Best Audio Release
From
UHD 5.0 is the original mix, but more muffled than LaserDisc and even the previous Blu-ray's gentle remix. Atmos is revisionist.
1991 LD is Dolby Stereo matrix encoded from the original six track master and this was later upgraded to a 5.1 Dolby Digital version prepared for the first DVD. The 5.1 version may have had some slight tweaking in the process. This was reused for the DVD CE boxset and then the 5.1 on Blu-ray seems like a slight upgrade of the DVD track. (The first pressing from the UCE boxset had audio defects rampant on the BD. These were corrected for standalone pressings.) All 5.1s sound roughly the same as the LD 2.0 in terms of the mix-but the LD PCM mastering seems like the only one that is direct without any major processing. Sadly it only exists in matrix stereo and not in discrete.
To
The 4K Blu-ray 5.0 is the original mix, but more muffled than LaserDisc and even the previous Blu-ray's gentle remix. The Atmos mix is revisionist.
From
UHD 5.0 is the original mix, but more muffled than LaserDisc and even the previous Blu-ray's gentle remix. Atmos is revisionist.
1991 LD is Dolby Stereo matrix encoded from the original six track master and this was later upgraded to a 5.1 Dolby Digital version prepared for the first DVD. The 5.1 version may have had some slight tweaking in the process. This was reused for the DVD CE boxset and then the 5.1 on Blu-ray seems like a slight upgrade of the DVD track. (The first pressing from the UCE boxset had audio defects rampant on the BD. These were corrected for standalone pressings.) All 5.1s sound roughly the same as the LD 2.0 in terms of the mix-but the LD PCM mastering seems like the only one that is direct without any major processing. Sadly it only exists in matrix stereo and not in discrete.
To
The 4K Blu-ray 5.0 is the original mix, but more muffled than LaserDisc and even the previous Blu-ray's gentle remix. The Atmos mix is revisionist.
Additional Info
From
The 50th Anniversary box set has some exclusive extras
To
The 50th Anniversary box set has some exclusive extras.
1991 LD is Dolby Stereo matrix encoded from the original six track master and this was later upgraded to a 5.1 Dolby Digital version prepared for the first DVD. The 5.1 version may have had some slight tweaking in the process. This was reused for the DVD CE boxset and then the 5.1 on Blu-ray seems like a slight upgrade of the DVD track. (The first pressing from the UCE boxset had audio defects rampant on the BD. These were corrected for standalone pressings.) All 5.1s sound roughly the same as the LD 2.0 in terms of the mix, but the LD PCM mastering seems like the only one that is direct without any major processing.
From
The 50th Anniversary box set has some exclusive extras
To
The 50th Anniversary box set has some exclusive extras.
1991 LD is Dolby Stereo matrix encoded from the original six track master and this was later upgraded to a 5.1 Dolby Digital version prepared for the first DVD. The 5.1 version may have had some slight tweaking in the process. This was reused for the DVD CE boxset and then the 5.1 on Blu-ray seems like a slight upgrade of the DVD track. (The first pressing from the UCE boxset had audio defects rampant on the BD. These were corrected for standalone pressings.) All 5.1s sound roughly the same as the LD 2.0 in terms of the mix, but the LD PCM mastering seems like the only one that is direct without any major processing.
3/14/2026
Best Audio Release
From
To
UHD 5.0 is the original mix, but more muffled than LaserDisc and even the previous Blu-ray's gentle remix. Atmos is revisionist.
1991 LD is Dolby Stereo matrix encoded from the original six track master and this was later upgraded to a 5.1 Dolby Digital version prepared for the first DVD. The 5.1 version may have had some slight tweaking in the process. This was reused for the DVD CE boxset and then the 5.1 on Blu-ray seems like a slight upgrade of the DVD track. (The first pressing from the UCE boxset had audio defects rampant on the BD. These were corrected for standalone pressings.) All 5.1s sound roughly the same as the LD 2.0 in terms of the mix-but the LD PCM mastering seems like the only one that is direct without any major processing. Sadly it only exists in matrix stereo and not in discrete.
From
To
UHD 5.0 is the original mix, but more muffled than LaserDisc and even the previous Blu-ray's gentle remix. Atmos is revisionist.
1991 LD is Dolby Stereo matrix encoded from the original six track master and this was later upgraded to a 5.1 Dolby Digital version prepared for the first DVD. The 5.1 version may have had some slight tweaking in the process. This was reused for the DVD CE boxset and then the 5.1 on Blu-ray seems like a slight upgrade of the DVD track. (The first pressing from the UCE boxset had audio defects rampant on the BD. These were corrected for standalone pressings.) All 5.1s sound roughly the same as the LD 2.0 in terms of the mix-but the LD PCM mastering seems like the only one that is direct without any major processing. Sadly it only exists in matrix stereo and not in discrete.
3/13/2026
Best Audio Release
From
3/8/2026
Best Audio Release
From
3/2/2026
Additional Info
Added
The 50th Anniversary box set has some exclusive extras
Added
The 50th Anniversary box set has some exclusive extras
2/9/2026
Format
From
1080p Blu-ray
To
UHD Blu-ray
From
1080p Blu-ray
To
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly Release
Upcoming Release
From
2026? Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray Steelbook
To
From
2026? Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray Steelbook
To
Best Audio Release
blah-ray
Added
https://blah-ray.blogspot.com/search/label/Ben-Hur%20(1959)
Added
https://blah-ray.blogspot.com/search/label/Ben-Hur%20(1959)
DVDBeaver
From
To
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDCompare/ben-hur.htm
From
To
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDCompare/ben-hur.htm
12/24/2025
Upcoming Release
From
2026? Warner Bros4K Blu-raySteelbook
To
2026? Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray Steelbook
From
2026? Warner Bros4K Blu-raySteelbook
To
2026? Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray Steelbook
12/15/2025
Best English-Friendly Release
2/13/2025
Best English-Friendly Release
Best Video Release
From
From
12/12/2024
Best Video Release
From
WB BD, hoping for a 4k release https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/park-circus-has-dcp-4k-ben-hur-1959-does-that-mean-we-will-get-it-on-disc-soon.379542/
From
WB BD, hoping for a 4k release https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/park-circus-has-dcp-4k-ben-hur-1959-does-that-mean-we-will-get-it-on-disc-soon.379542/
