Ben-Hur (1959 film) the second highest-grossing film in history at the time after "Gone with the Wind". It won a record 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director (Wyler), Best Actor in a Leading Role (Heston), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Griffith), and Best Cinematography – Color (Surtees). "Ben-Hur" also won three Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director and Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture for Stephen Boyd. Today, "Ben-Hur" is widely considered to be one of the greatest films ever made, and in 1998 the American Film Institute ranked it the 72nd best American film
1959 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes. Another important development of that year for the Festival, was that the French cinema moved away from the Ministry of Industry and became part of Ministry of Cultural Affairs. The following people were appointed as the Jury of the 1959 competition: Feature films Short films The following feature films competed for the Palme d'Or: The following short films competed for the Short Film Palme d'Or: The following films and people received the 1959 awards: Short films FIPRESCI Commission Supérieure Technique OCIC Award 1959 Cannes Film Festival The 12th Cannes Film Festival was held from 30 April to 15