Middle-earth in film also became the most-nominated in the Academy's history, surpassing the "Godfather" series' 28 (with the release of "The Hobbit", the series currently has 36 nominations total). Its 11 Oscars at the 2004 Academy Awards tied it for most awards won for one film with "Titanic" six years earlier and the 1959 version of "Ben-Hur." It also broke the previous "sweep" record, beating "Gigi" and "The Last Emperor" (which each took 9 out of 9). "The Return of the King" also made movie history as the highest-grossing film opening on a Wednesday and was the second film after "Titanic" to earn
Judah Ben-Hur have anything more to do the Empire - and asks Pilate to return his ring to his adoptive father, Quintus Arrius. In contrast with the book, while witnessing the Crucifixion, Judah comes to realise that forgiveness is better than vengeance feeling Jesus' voice taking the sword of anger and hatred out of his hand. Heston reprised his role in the 2003 animated film. Although this version is similar to the 1959 film, some differences include Ben-Hur, his family, Balthazar and a redeemed Messala witnessing the Crucifixion. Judah Ben-Hur also appears in the "Back to the Future" animated series episode "Roman