Granted 1959 was not a steller year for great movies but this movie would have fared well in any year. The drop to last place on your list is not warranted. One of films finest directors, William Wyler, managed to bring to the screen the life of a Jewish Prince in the time of Christ on two levels: a sweeping epic featuring all the might of Rome on land and sea and also a very human tale of suffering and betrayal. Performances of all the major actors were heartfelt and I truly was touched many times even though there were literally thousands of extras and lavish sets to fill the senses. Miklos Rosas’ score was outstanding.