Ben-Hur Page #3

Gently, as you say it now.

Yes, master.

Master?

Why, I've given you your freedom.

It's strange. I hardly felt a slave.

And now. . .

. . .I hardly feel free.

You know, in the old, wise days

of Solomon. . .

. . .if there was among his slaves. . .

. . .some girl who filled his eyes. . .

. . .he could choose her out

from the rest. . .

. . .and take her to him.

Wise days of Solomon.

Different days.

And long ago.

If you were not a bride. . .

. . .I should kiss you goodbye.

If I were not a bride. . .

. . .there would be no goodbyes

to be said.

Your slave ring.

Fair exchange.

Freedom to you. The ring to me.

You will wear it?

Until you meet the woman

you will marry?

Until then.

The gods favor my lord Gratus.

If it is the governor's pleasure,

the wreath of office.

Thank you, tribune.

I see no delegation from the city.

-There will not be one, sir.

-No?

Jerusalem's welcome will not

be a warm one.

But I pledge, my lord,

it will be a quiet one.

Let us proceed.

There's Messala.

He saw you, Judah.

The new governor.

Stand back!

-Stand back.

-You, come!

Had to be the Jews!

Open up in the name

of the divine emperor!

Judah! Tirzah! What is it?

What's happened?

Open up in the name of the law!

-I was watching the--

-A tile fell and struck the governor.

-It wasn't my fault.

-They won't believe her.

She won't have to say anything.

You hear? Tirzah, say nothing.

Open the gates!

I'll speak to them.

-Arrest him!

-Let me tell you what happened.

-Hold those women.

-Stop them!

It was an accident.

Let me tell you what happened.

It was an accident.

-This is the man, sir. We saw him.

-It was an accident.

-Accident?

-I swear it.

I put my hand on the ledge.

A tile was loose. It gave way.

Take him. Take all of them.

-He's telling the truth!

-It was me! Let them go!

Attention!

Messala.

In the name of God,

tell them it's a mistake.

I leaned on the tile,

and it broke loose.

It was an accident.

Let them go!

They had nothing to do with it!

Let the servants go.

Let them go. Return to your ranks.

Come.

Where?

Tirus.

Tirus?

I've had no trial.

I'm to die in the galleys

without even a trial?

There's no truth in the charge!

Not a word of truth!

Wait. My mother, my sister.

What happened to them?

Tie his hands.

-At least tell me if they're safe.

-I can tell you nothing.

Get along. Keep moving.

Jailer!

Guard, in there!

Up the stairs!

Jailer!

Jailer!

To the right.

-Wait!

-Send them out.

Go!

The door.

Where are my mother and sister?

Where are they?

Here, within these walls.

The governor is recovering.

They won't die.

Of course, they will be sentenced.

Is it possible?

Is it possible

you could do this to us?

To people you've known?

A family you've loved?

You will let them go.

You will gladly let them go!

I didn't try to kill the governor.

I'm not a murderer!

I know you're not.

You know?

You are evil.

No, Judah, I am not evil.

I wanted your help.

Now you've given it to me.

By making this example of you,

I discourage treason.

By condemning without hesitation

an old friend, I shall be feared.

But not my family.

Let them go.

Please.

-Messala, I beg you.

-Beg?!

Didn't I beg you?

You chose this.

There's nothing more to be said.

Kill me, and your mother

and sister will die. . .

. . .nailed to crosses in front of you!

Go on, Judah.

Kill me!

May God grant me vengeance.

I will pray that

you live till I return.

Return?

Take him.

Sentries, salute.

The tribune will see you now.

Tribune, I'm steward

of the House of Hur.

I remember you.

We were on our way to Antioch

when we heard what had happened.

Judah Ben-Hur could not have done

this thing. You knew him, tribune.

Better than you.

Then there must be no doubt in

your mind, the charge is groundless.

The prisoners have been sentenced.

-Sentenced?

-But there's no truth in it.

There was never a threat against

the governor in Judah's mind.

Surely you must know

he would never have done this.

In your heart, you must know it.

Drusus.

This man had better be kept here

until we can question him.

Hold!

Water for the soldiers.

Soldiers first!

Get away from that well.

No water for them!

Get them away from that well!

Here, you!

Come on, you! Water for the horses!

-Water. Water.

-Soldiers first!

Here.

Wait.

No water for him.

God. . .

. . .help me.

You! I said no water for him!

All right, on your feet, all of you!

Get them on their feet!

Back in line, you dog!

On your feet!

Get them going!

You there, back to your place!

Back to your place!

Forward, you dogs!

Soon, the counselor's barge

will be coming alongside.

Be ready to raise oars.

Raise oars!

Down oars!

The new commander, Quintus Arrius.

-How many rowers?

-Two hundred, consul.

-And reliefs?

-Of 30, every hour.

This man is ill. Replace him.

-Change him.

-Right, sir.

-This man's been giving you trouble?

-He's insubordinate, consul.

That will stop.

What service have you seen?

Forty-one.

A month's less a day in this ship.

You keep an exact account.

And before?

Three years in other ships.

Three years.

You have the spirit to fight back. . .

. . .but the good sense to control it.

Your eyes are full of hate, 41 .

That's good. Hate keeps a man alive.

It gives him strength.

Now, listen to me, all of you.

You are all condemned men.

We keep you alive to serve this ship.

So row well. . .

. . .and live.

-Ship ready, consul.

-Strike oars.

Strike oars!

You know a fleet

of Macedonian galleys. . .

. . .has been raiding Roman commerce.

The emperor has honored us

with the task. . .

. . .of seeking out and destroying them.

Battle speed, hortator.

Battle speed!

Attack speed.

Attack speed!

Ramming speed.

Ramming speed!

Rest.

Halt!

Rest!

Why are you here?

I was ordered to report to you

during my relief.

Oh, yes.

I'd forgotten.

You could have killed me

as I lay there.

You're a condemned man.

Why didn't you?

I'm not ready to die.

What do you think will save you?

The God of my fathers.

Your God has forsaken you.

He has no more power

than the images I pray to.

My gods will not help me.

Your God will not help you.

I might.

Does that interest you, 41 ?

I can see that it does.

I'm a fighting man by profession,

and in my leisure moments. . .

. . .it amuses me to train fighting men.

I own some of the best gladiators

and charioteers in Rome.

Would you like to become one of them?

To die as your slave?

Better than to live in chains

below these decks.

I will not be here forever.

No?

What would you do if you escaped?

Two people were condemned with me,

my mother and sister. . .

. . .though they were innocent.

I won't rest--

Do not say that you were innocent.

-Would it do any good to say it again?

-No.

Consider my offer carefully. You will

never escape while we are victorious.

If we are not, you will sink

with this ship, chained to your oar.

I cannot believe that

God has let me live these years. . .

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