Ben-Hur (1959)

Cathy O'Donnell: Tirzah

Photos 

Quotes 

• Miriam : [speaking of Christ]  As though he were carrying that cross the pain of the world.

  [she whispers] 

  Miriam : So fearful.

  Tirzah : And yet why is it... I'm not afraid anymore?

  [thunder rumbles] 

  Esther : The shadow of a storm.

  [they go inside a nearby cave; the sky goes dark outside] 

  Esther : A strange darkness, but still day.

  [a violent storm begins] 

  Miriam : His life is over.

  [lightning cracks] 

  Tirzah : He's here. It's tearing... I feel the pain!

  Miriam : I feel it too.

  [They seem to faint] 

  Esther : [concerned]  Miriam?

  [Miriam presses Esther's hand] 

  Esther : I thought that... Miriam! Do you see your hand?

  [They look; Tirzah sits up, healed] 

  Esther : Tirzah! Miriam!

  [They touch each other's faces, feel their hands, embrace as they realize they've been healed] 

• [Christ passes, bearing the cross] 

  Esther : How can this be?

  Judah Ben-Hur : [shocked]  I *know* this man!

  [Jesus stumbles and is whipped by the centurions] 

  Miriam : [pleading]  Won't someone help him?

  [Jesus is whipped again] 

  Tirzah : Pity on him!

  Miriam : [wonderingly]  In his pain... there's a look of peace.

  Judah Ben-Hur : Watch over them, Esther.

  [he goes after Jesus] 

  Miriam : We must go back.

  Esther : [sadly]  I brought you here to this... when I hoped...

  Miriam : [looking after Christ]  You haven't failed, Esther.

• Tirzah : [mouthing silently to the sky after being healed of leprosy]  Thank you. Thank you.