"Ben-Hur" (1959)

Wyler directed this expensive epic based on the novel by Gen. Lew Wallace, which the director referred to as "Hollywood's first intimate spectacle." The film earned 11 Oscars, including lead actor for Heston, best film and director, and held the title as the single film with the most Oscars for nearly 40 years until "Titanic" tied it 10 years ago. The religious drama is Heston's greatest screen triumph, but when the lead actor Oscar nominations were announced, apparently many in Hollywood were surprised because they didn't think his earnest, noble turn was on par with other nominees such as Jack Lemmon from "Some Like It Hot" and James Stewart in "Anatomy of a Murder." (Cinecitta Studios / Associated Press)