1959 — Ben-Hur
MGM, on the edge of bankruptcy, gave it their all and adapted this 1880 tale of Roman dictatorship, revenge, and forgiveness in a stroke of brilliance. Unable to bear the savagery of Roman commander and former ally Messala’s cruelty, Jewish prince Judah Ben-Hur (Best Actor winner Charlton Heston) withdraws any populist support. Messala retaliates by imprisoning Judah’s family and enslaving the titular figure. Judah spends the next four years sweating with one goal in mind: vengeance. Judah’s thoughts are realized when he is given the opportunity to compete against Messala in one of cinema’s most incredible episodes ever committed to film – the Judean chariot race.
1959 — Ben-Hur
1960 — Psycho
Alfred Hitchcock crafted another classic that not only characterized the age in which it was released, but has continued to be viewed and reexamined decades later, leaving entire theaters thinking twice before entering their shower. We watch a toilet (which censors wanted to remove), Marion Crane – our major character — remove her clothing, enter a shower, and then witness that primary character slain inside the first third of the film’s running time.
1960 — Psycho