'Ben Hur', Part IV Trivia Quiz

Answer: Antares

'Steady Antares,' Ben Hur says, 'like a rock. You will be our anchor.' Aldebaran is the swiftest of the horses, so Ben Hur instructs her to 'wait for the others'. Rigel and Altair are given no specific instructions, but are equally adored by the Sheik and Ben Hur.

Answer: A Star of David

Sheik Ilderim provides Ben Hur with 'The Star of David. To shine out for your people and my people together, and blind the eyes of Rome!' An extraordinary show of Arab/Jewish unity, I must say.

Answer: Greek

The meaning of this becomes readily apparent when the camera focuses on the wheels, which contain a protuding set of blades, perfect for chopping up the spokes of the wheels on other chariots. One may ask, isn't this against the rules? But Sheik Ilderim has made clear that in the arena, there are no rules...

Answer: 9

The chariot teams are from: Alexandria, Messina, Carthage, Cyprus, Rome, Corinth, Athens, Phrygia and Judaea. Naturally, Ben Hur is the Judaean driver, and Messala is the Roman driver. The race begins with the dropping of a white cloth by Pontius Pilate (played by actor Frank Thring).

Answer: True

Are you kidding? This is Charlton Heston we're talking about...of course he learned to drive a chariot! Not only that, but he became quite adept at it, apparently, and much of the racing footage includes Heston himself driving the horses. According to some sources, several Hollywood personalities came to Rome for the express purpose of getting a chariot ride with Heston while the filming commenced.

Answer: Joe Canutt

This is truly one of the most spectacular moments of the film. Originally, it was not intended that Ben Hur (Canutt in this scene) would be launched completely out of the chariot, but when it happened in this manner, and Canutt was able to pull himself back into the chariot with little damage, Wyler chose to leave the scene intact. Canutt only suffered a cut chin, reportedly the only injury incurred during the incredibly dangerous chariot sequence!

Answer: 6

This is an area of discontinuity in the film. A total of six riders, including Messala, are taken out during the race. This means that only three riders should have finished the competition. Oddly enough, however, a total of four drivers are shown finishing the race. Another driver is added to the scene after the third chariot is taken out for some reason. Odd.

Answer: Yes

Of course he is! After Messala made a close pass at his chariot, followed by some intense whipping, Ben Hur's chariot is entangled with Messala's. The wheel comes off of Messala's cart and he is trampled by a trailing chariot. The scene is truly gruesome, but one cannot feel much sorrow for the traitorous Messala.

Answer: 'The race is not over.'

The cruel Messala informs Ben Hur that his mother and sister are still alive, and that they can be located in the Valley of the Lepers 'if they can still be recognized'. He then says, 'It goes on, Judah. The race is not over.' This guy is a sick puppy!

Answer: False

As mentioned just prior, Messala provides Ben Hur with the needed information to find his family. Unfortunately, it is cruel information indeed. Ben Hur's next step is to find his family, a sad task to be undertaken. Please join me in part five, when we discover if Ben Hur is able to have a happy reunion. Thank you for playing!