BEN-HUR COMPLETE ROMAN SOLDIER COSTUME - (MGM, 1959) Costume designer Elizabeth Haffenden was required to create many hundreds of authentic Roman Empire costumes in dozens of variations, and this complete ensemble for a Roman soldier is a classic example. Comprised of crème wool tunic with hem stripe (original tangerine of stripe faded to coral); hand-hammered metal expandable-leaf cuirass; button-studded tassel belt; hand-hammered metal helmet with brush top; cast aluminum and forged-steel hero sword with leather-covered decorated sheath and long shoulder and waist belt; calf-length hand-made leather sandals; and burgundy wool cape. Seen prominently throughout the film on Roman foot soldiers, especially near beginning where Stephen Boyd arrests his childhood friend Charlton Heston. Tunic bears internal unassigned MGM wardrobe label. Staining and losses starting in tunic, and finish on cuirass is uneven from age, yet overall its completeness offsets these relatively minor condition issues.