An epic story: a Jewish prince seeks to free his nation from Roman oppression, but a childhood friend and military tribune wrongly imprisons his family and condemns him to the gallows. While seeking revenge, he meets the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, who gives him a priceless gift.

Lew Wallace, a Civil War general, wrote what became the top-selling fiction story of the 1800s. The story’s prose is clear and compelling, and its elements and plot form an epic that ranks with the greats. The 1959 movie won 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The movie’s characters, music, set, and story combine to make an overwhelmingly moving experience.

I highly recommend the movie for middle and high school students.