Ben-Hur

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The movie set for “Ben-Hur” (1959) was one of the largest and most elaborate ever constructed for a film at the time. The most notable aspect of the set was the replica of the Circus Maximus in Rome, where the iconic chariot race sequence took place. The set covered 18 acres of land and was built in the backlot of Cinecittà Studios in Rome, Italy. It featured a massive arena with seating for thousands of spectators, as well as elaborate structures and decorations to recreate the grandeur of ancient Rome. In addition to the Circus Maximus set, other parts of the film were shot on location in Italy, including scenes set in Jerusalem and other ancient cities. These locations were meticulously designed and constructed to accurately portray the settings of the story. The scale and detail of the sets in “Ben-Hur” played a crucial role in bringing the epic story to life on the big screen, contributing to the film’s reputation as one of the most visually impressive and ambitious productions in cinema history.