Ben Hur, a wealthy Jewish prince, encounters an old friend seeking to become a leader of men. The would-be leader, Messala, asks Ben Hur to join him in his quest, but when the prince declines, Messala sends him to die in the gallows, while sentencing his mother and sister to rot in prison. Years pass. Ben Hur, now a slave, is put to a test of endurance with fellow slaves. When he prevails, heâ??s brought to Rome a conquering hero. Now returned to wealth and power, there was only one thing is missing in his life -- vengeance on Messala. On his journey back to Judea, Ben Hur encounters a wise old man, Balthasar, who encourages him to compete in a chariot race with his foe Messala. Both parties agree. During the race, Messala, driven by anger and a burning desire to defeat Ben Hur, causes the chariots to crash. Heâ??s dragged behind his chariot as Ben Hur rides on to victory.