Get the silent 1925 version! Just as exciting, art deco costumes, great naval battle and chariot race as good as the 1959 version.
It’s also shorter with less gab.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0016641/
The DVD of Ben Hur that I have around here may have that, or maybe it’s on the BluRay. For a movie I don’t ever watch, I sure have a lot of interest in it, eh? ;’)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZaHtnKbswQ
http://fan.tcm.com/_Ramn-Novarro-Ben-Hur-chariot-race-/video/847401/66470.html?createPassive=true
The 1907:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cf2DN1KEyks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCYnLs0f-Dw
Making of:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChPXI1gJ-yo