SNMR 3.1: "The Ten Commandments"

We'll begin the third series of SNMR with a classic film, which is highly appropriate for this time of year. To commemorate the end of Passover Week (culminating with Easter tomorrow), tonight's SNMR feature is "The Ten Commandments" (1956, NR, 220 minutes), starring Charlton Heston, Yul Brenner, Anne Baxter, Edward G. Robinson, Yvonne DeCarlo, Debra Paget, John Derek, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Nina Foch, Martha Scott, Judith Anderson, Vincent Price, and John Carradine. The film was directed by Cecil B. DeMille. The film won the 1957 Oscar for Best Effects-Special Effects and was nominated for six other Oscars that year, including Best Picture, but did not win. Charlton Heston was nominated for the Best Actor Golden Globe Award in 1957, but also did not win.

I've watched this film many times over the years (it's actually on ABC right now) and for good reason. It has become a television staple at this time of year and at 51 years old and counting, is still going strong. And let's be honest, nowadays when you think of Moses, the imagery that likely flashes through your mind IS Charlton Heston. Did you know that the real life Moses was 40 years old when he left Egypt and 80 years old when he came back to lead Israel out of Egypt amd slavery? On a more trivial note, the title of this blog is taken from a line in this film, spoken several times - can you figure out where they are and who says them? I certainly hope so. Hang your head in shame if you can't.

From the DVD's dust case:

For sheer pageantry and spectacle, few motion pictures can claim to equal the splendor of Cecil B. DeMille's 1956 remake of his epic, The Ten Commandments. Filmed in Egypt and the Sinai with one of the biggest sets ever constructed for a motion picture, this version tells the story of the life of Moses (Charlton Heston), once favored in the Pharaoh's (Yul Brynner) household, who turned his back on a privileged life to lead his people to freedom. With a rare on-screen introduction by Cecil B. DeMille himself.

From Martin and Porter's DVD & Video Guide 2007, p. 1124:

A stylish, visually stunning, epic scale biblical study as only Cecil B. DeMille could make 'em. Charlton Heston, as Moses, in charge of "God's people", holds the lengthy film together.

This film is a bit long and in some instances loses it's steam in spurts but seems to always find it again. The cast is excellent, a seemingly who's who of mid-1950's Hollywood. The locations are superb and the sets immense. Even now, the special effects are top notch considering the era (the parting of the Red Sea effect is still cool after all these years). The biblical story, of course, is timeless. I wonder what DeMille used as the source of his material for the life of Moses in Egypt as a young adult, since the Bible doesn't say. This is a good film to own, especially now when you can buy both DeMille's 1923 silent film and this 1956 classic in the same set for under $15. This film gets 4 1/2 out of five stars.