 Filming started in May 1958 and wrapped in January 1959, and post-production took six months.Although the budget for "Ben-Hur" was initially $7 million, it was reported to be $10 million by February 1958, reaching $15 million by the time shooting began—making it the costliest film ever produced up to that time.When adjusted for inflation, the budget of "Ben Hur" was approximately $ in constant dollars.