<P> Judah returns to Judea . Along the way , he meets Balthasar ( Finlay Currie ) and an Arab , Sheik Ilderim ( Hugh Griffith ) . After noting Judah 's prowess as a charioteer , the sheik asks him to drive his quadriga in a race before the new Judean governor Pontius Pilate ( Frank Thring ) . Judah declines , even after he learns that Messala will also compete . </P>
<P> Judah returns to Judea . Along the way , he meets Balthasar ( Finlay Currie ) and an Arab , Sheik Ilderim ( Hugh Griffith ) . After noting Judah 's prowess as a charioteer , the sheik asks him to drive his quadriga in a race before the new Judean governor Pontius Pilate ( Frank Thring ) . Judah declines , even after he learns that Messala will also compete . </P>
who played pontius pilate in ben hur 1959
who played pontius pilate in ben hur 1959
( Frank Thring )
( Frank Thring )