Final answer:
The 1959 version of the film 'Ben Hur,' directed by William Wyler and one of the biggest box office hits of its time, was released on November 18, 1959.
Step-by-step explanation:
The movie Ben Hur was released on November 18, 1959. It is an epic historical drama film directed by William Wyler and is one of the biggest box office successes of its time. This version of Ben Hur stands as one of the most celebrated and iconic films in the history of cinema, earning a record-breaking 11 Academy Awards.
However, it is worth noting that this is not the first adaptation of Lew Wallace's 1880 novel 'Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ.' A silent film adaptation was released in 1925, but the 1959 film is the most widely known version.