The Ten Commandments (A or 4/4 stars)
Based on the Holy Scriptures, 'The Ten Commandments' was the last motion picture directed by the great Cecil B. DeMille. Running nearly 4(!) hours in length, the story depicts the incredible life of Moses (majestic Charlton Heston) from the time he was found in the tall weeds of the Nile River as an infant by the Pharaoh's daughter, to his long, arduous struggle to free the Israelites from slavery at the hands of the all-powerful Egyptians. Early in his life, Moses starts out well as the Pharaoh's adopted son. Life is good as an Egyptian prince (& the Pharaoh's chief architect). But when he discovers his true Hebrew heritage, he is compelled to improve the lives of "his" people. Banished into exile by his jealous 1/2-brother, Rameses (a fearful Yul Brynner), Moses returns fully bearded to the Pharaoh's court, warning that he's received a message from God above that the Egyptians should free the Hebrews immediately or else his wrath will fall upon them all.
Only after the Deadly Plagues have destroyed Egypt does Rameses finally give-in. But just as the Hebrews reach the Red Sea, they soon discover that Rameses has lied & actually has plans to have them all killed! But as most people know from the Bible, Moses is able to rescue his people with a little Divine intervention with the parting of said Red Sea. Later on, Moses is once again confronted by God on Mount Sinai, who delivers unto him the ... Ten Commandments. Meanwhile, the saved Hebrews, led by the deceitful Dathan (Edward G. Robinson), are quick to forget their grateful religious ways & start behaving like heathens; in an infamous orgy scene. Unfortunately for Dathan & the hordes of Hebrews who are terribly misbehaving ... God will impose himself again; and boy, he ain't happy.
'The Ten Commandments' is one of the biggest, grandest Hollywood epics you will ever see. Even though it's imperfect, when I think of definitive religious epics ... I think of 'The Ten Commandments'. And honestly, for me, when I think of one of the best movies of all-time ... I think of 'The Ten Commandments'. It just has that - something - that makes you feel like you're watching something substantial, wondrous, & thoroughly impressive.
Of course, the parting of the Red Sea sequence was state-of-the-art for its time, but it still amazes me today. But SO many other scenes impress, as well; such as when the Hebrew slaves erect a huge stone tower using a complex system of weights & pulleys. Another show stopping scene is the climactic "orgy" scene at the foot of Mount Sinai while Moses is collecting the Ten Commandments for 40 days & nights. During the orgy, the screen is packed with wild dancing, chanting, wine drinking, whirling, spinning, laughing, yelling, loud music; voluptuous, half-naked women, men looking for action, etc., etc.. It's something to see; and more fascinating when good 'ole Moses finally descends from the Mt. to calls them all sinners. Powerful stuff.
As Moses, Charlton Heston evolves from a young man into the old prophet he becomes; showcasing quite the array of emotions throughout. And just as he did in The King & I, Yul Brynner (Rameses) just commands the screen with a ferocity, and yet, also a sort of coolness. He's just "the man". You want to be like him, be in his presence ... even if you'll ultimately regret it {haha}. Edward G. Robinson is stellar as Dathan, the traitorous Hebrew who aimed to win favor among Rameses/the Egyptians. Vincent Price, Nina Foch, John Carradine, Debra Paget, John Derek, Cedric Hardwicke, Judith Anderson, & Yvonne De Carlo stand-out in small roles out of a cast of hundreds. And as Queen Nefretiri, the royal in love with Moses, but who stays at Rameses' side ... Anne Baxter delivers her lines of dialogue with relish, a mischievous smile, & exudes a persona that combines playful sweetness with a sexy allure, as well as a snake-like vindictiveness.
DeMille's epic may not be the most nuanced or sophisticated entertainment ever produced, but it tells this magnificent biblical story with a clarity, a visual feat, & a vitality that few films of any genre can duplicate; even now, 57 yrs. after its release. Technically, the film is a wonderment. The cinematography is exceptional; with vibrant colors, great compositions, mise-en-scene, & optimal grandeur. The production design/art direction is gargantuan, ornate, varied, & exquisite. Ditto the costumes, constructed by no less than 5 world class designers - I'm reminded of Rameses' many fascinating head pieces. The special effects are spectacular. And the music contains epic sweep. BIG. Everything is big. That's the word I think of most when pondering 'The Ten Commandments' & all it stands for. I love it.
Only after the Deadly Plagues have destroyed Egypt does Rameses finally give-in. But just as the Hebrews reach the Red Sea, they soon discover that Rameses has lied & actually has plans to have them all killed! But as most people know from the Bible, Moses is able to rescue his people with a little Divine intervention with the parting of said Red Sea. Later on, Moses is once again confronted by God on Mount Sinai, who delivers unto him the ... Ten Commandments. Meanwhile, the saved Hebrews, led by the deceitful Dathan (Edward G. Robinson), are quick to forget their grateful religious ways & start behaving like heathens; in an infamous orgy scene. Unfortunately for Dathan & the hordes of Hebrews who are terribly misbehaving ... God will impose himself again; and boy, he ain't happy.
'The Ten Commandments' is one of the biggest, grandest Hollywood epics you will ever see. Even though it's imperfect, when I think of definitive religious epics ... I think of 'The Ten Commandments'. And honestly, for me, when I think of one of the best movies of all-time ... I think of 'The Ten Commandments'. It just has that - something - that makes you feel like you're watching something substantial, wondrous, & thoroughly impressive.
Of course, the parting of the Red Sea sequence was state-of-the-art for its time, but it still amazes me today. But SO many other scenes impress, as well; such as when the Hebrew slaves erect a huge stone tower using a complex system of weights & pulleys. Another show stopping scene is the climactic "orgy" scene at the foot of Mount Sinai while Moses is collecting the Ten Commandments for 40 days & nights. During the orgy, the screen is packed with wild dancing, chanting, wine drinking, whirling, spinning, laughing, yelling, loud music; voluptuous, half-naked women, men looking for action, etc., etc.. It's something to see; and more fascinating when good 'ole Moses finally descends from the Mt. to calls them all sinners. Powerful stuff.
As Moses, Charlton Heston evolves from a young man into the old prophet he becomes; showcasing quite the array of emotions throughout. And just as he did in The King & I, Yul Brynner (Rameses) just commands the screen with a ferocity, and yet, also a sort of coolness. He's just "the man". You want to be like him, be in his presence ... even if you'll ultimately regret it {haha}. Edward G. Robinson is stellar as Dathan, the traitorous Hebrew who aimed to win favor among Rameses/the Egyptians. Vincent Price, Nina Foch, John Carradine, Debra Paget, John Derek, Cedric Hardwicke, Judith Anderson, & Yvonne De Carlo stand-out in small roles out of a cast of hundreds. And as Queen Nefretiri, the royal in love with Moses, but who stays at Rameses' side ... Anne Baxter delivers her lines of dialogue with relish, a mischievous smile, & exudes a persona that combines playful sweetness with a sexy allure, as well as a snake-like vindictiveness.
DeMille's epic may not be the most nuanced or sophisticated entertainment ever produced, but it tells this magnificent biblical story with a clarity, a visual feat, & a vitality that few films of any genre can duplicate; even now, 57 yrs. after its release. Technically, the film is a wonderment. The cinematography is exceptional; with vibrant colors, great compositions, mise-en-scene, & optimal grandeur. The production design/art direction is gargantuan, ornate, varied, & exquisite. Ditto the costumes, constructed by no less than 5 world class designers - I'm reminded of Rameses' many fascinating head pieces. The special effects are spectacular. And the music contains epic sweep. BIG. Everything is big. That's the word I think of most when pondering 'The Ten Commandments' & all it stands for. I love it.