The Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments

1956Movie220 minEnglish

Escaping death, a Hebrew infant is raised in a royal household to become a prince. Upon discovery of his true heritage, Moses embarks on a personal quest to reclaim his destiny as the leader and liberator of the Hebrew people.

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Insights

IMDb7.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes86%
Metacritic72
Google Users90%
Director: Cecil B. DeMilleGenres: Biblical, Drama, Adventure, Fantasy

Plot Summary

The epic tale of Moses, an adopted Egyptian prince who discovers his Hebrew heritage and is chosen by God to lead his people out of slavery in Egypt. He faces numerous trials, including confronting the wrathful Pharaoh Rameses, parting the Red Sea, and receiving the divine laws that would shape civilizations.

Critical Reception

A monumental achievement in filmmaking, 'The Ten Commandments' was a critical and commercial success upon its release, lauded for its grand scale, biblical accuracy (within dramatic license), and Cecil B. DeMille's signature directorial spectacle. It remains a celebrated classic of religious cinema.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its awe-inspiring spectacle and biblical storytelling.
  • Hailed as a cinematic masterpiece of its era.
  • Acknowledged for its powerful performances and grand production values.

Google audience: Audiences consistently praise the film's epic scope, its inspiring story of faith and liberation, and the memorable performances, especially Charlton Heston as Moses and Yul Brynner as Rameses. Many consider it a timeless classic that still holds up today.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for 7 Academy Awards, winning for Best Special Effects. It was also nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Film.

Fun Fact

During the filming of the Red Sea parting sequence, the water was held back by a massive cofferdam, and then released by opening gates in the dam. The footage was filmed in reverse, so when played forward, it appeared as though the sea was parting.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

4 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Until very recently, I had never actually made it all the way through this Cecil B. De Mille marathon. It is a glorious piece of cinema but no amount of beautiful colour and costumes can detract from what is really rather a staid, over-egge...
moard

moard

As good today as in 1956 This film consists of an all star cast and is an amazing movie. The special effects are incredible especially for 1956. The acting is clearly amazing in this account of Moses and the Ten Commandments. 9-10
John Chard

John Chard

His God "is" God! The Ten Commandments is at the top end of Hollywood historical epics. It was to be Cecil B. DeMille's last ever directing assignment and he bows out with a gargantuan epic that to this day stands as a testament to his b...
Cat Ellington

Cat Ellington

(The King of Egypt - with his sword drawn - and his Queen, together, converse about killing Moses, servant of the Most High God) ... Queen Nefretiri: 'Bring it back to me, stained with his blood!' Pharoah Rameses: 'I will... to mingle...