Charlton Heston portrays Judah Ben-Hur, a kind, wealthy Jew whose life is thrown into turmoil when he is betrayed and falsely accused of crimes against Rome. Judah spends three years as a galley slave before heroics restore him to high standing and a chance to exact revenge on his enemies. But will he repay evil with evil? Vital to Judah's story—and his resolution of conflicting passions—is a gentle carpenter from Nazareth who, though rarely seen, is the real Hero of this film.

Soul-stirring scenes of Christ's birth and crucifixion provide biblical bookends for MGM's action-packed epic. In between, the story exalts love, loyalty, perseverance, forgiveness, faith, nobility, healing and a sacrificial commitment to family. Parents and teen viewers may also want to discuss:

— What was conveyed through Judah and Esther's brief encounters with Jesus?

— How did Messala's ambition negatively impact his character? (Hab. 2:4-5)

— What is leprosy, and how is this disease a lot like bitterness and hatred?

— How did Judah's work with the sheik's horses illustrate how individuals' differences can make a team stronger?

— How was Judah's enslavement both physical and spiritual? (Key line: "I felt His voice take the sword out of my hand.")

Though rated G, two intense and occasionally violent scenes (a battle at sea and the famous chariot race) make PG a more appropriate label for families with young children.