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The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Entertaining, but not a masterpiece
Review: The TEN COMMANDMENTS is a most entertaining film for sure, but is in no league with William Wylers BEN HUR or even Stanley Kubricks' SPARTACUS. The film almost looks as if it were entirely shot in a studio sound stage. The acting is at best inspired and at the worst it is almost camp. The script is full of anachronisms, (Example:Pharoah to Moses, "Moses, Moses, you come here to perform tricks and make rabbits appear", There are NO rabbits in Egypt!!) And who could forget the immortal love scene, "Moses, Moses, you delightful, adorable , splendid fool"!! Not exactly the prose of Christopher Fry in his BEN HUR script or of Dalton Trumbos for SPARTACUS. But it is still a fun movie to watch. Kind of like a childrens' version of the old testament.Almost comic book like, in its' superficial telling of the story. Cecil B. DeMille was a fine director for this kind of film making, but he was surpassed by the genius of men like William Wyler and Stanley Kubrick. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS is still a very entertaining film none the less. By the way...when it is on network TV every spring, it is NOT on for Easter, it is on for the Passover! And the Jews exodus from Egypt. The Easter story is that of the passion,crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, which BEN HUR and KING OF KINGS and THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD are about!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excelente Pelicula
Review: Esta es una pelicula clásica, que he visto varias veces a lo largo de mi vida, cada vez que se la veo descubro nuevos detalles, la forma en que se cuenta la historia es bastante amena. Pienso que para la época sin disponer de CGI, es decir, casi con las uñas lograr efectos de tal calidad fue un reto, solo suponer la potencia necesaria para hacer el efecto de la apertura del mar rojo debe ser un reto, según lei en una revista especializada en turbinas a gas se usaron ventiladores, movidos por turbinas. Es simplemente magnifica y la recomiendo, esto independientemente que sea o no vista como un tema religoso.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Undoubtably One Of The BEST Historical Dramas EVER!!!!
Review: Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter and John Derek star in this classic tale of Moses' life. This picture is SPECTACULARLY acted, SUPERBLY directed by Oscar winner Cecil B. DeMille and LOADED with TERRIFIC costumes. One question, why isn't this classic on one cassete? The animated version of the movie is good for kids. Charlton Heston delivers another MAGNIFICENT performance. It's movies like THESE we should appreciate NOT crap like The Matrix. Grab some freshly microwaved popcorn and watch this 4 hour classic. You'll LOVE it. Rated G.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Heston is Moses!
Review: Having a great affinity for epics (movies that have actors and plots that are in themselves larger then life); this, i.e., The Ten Commandments - 40th Anniversary Collector's Edition VHS ~ Charlton Heston was a logical selection. Heston is amazing in his portrayal of Moses and his conviction in his role is spell binding. Yull Brynner does by no means play second fiddle (he is by no means a slouch when it comes to the art and craft of acting) and by doing so also gives a very moving, engaging and extremely intense interpretation of that of the role of Ramses, the "true" son of the Pharaoh. The music and the costumes in the movie are magnificently, finely and delicately made to give an authentic, historical and ultimately genuine feel to the entire production. There are two scenes in the movie, i.e., The Ten Commandments - 40th Anniversary Collector's Edition VHS ~ Charlton Heston that really stand out in this movie; the first one is the parting of the sea (which in itself leaves the viewer feeling bedazzled, a bit confused, but ultimately overwhelmed); the other being when God carves the ten commandments into the rock with the aid of fire and lightning. Therefore, how does one finally conclude and finish a review of such a great and marvelous movie. One ends, finishes and concludes this review by stating and writing the following; through my years of movie watching and viewing, there are few biblical movies that can be compared to this one and I foresee that many generations of people will watch, appreciate and admire this movie.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Deliriously entertaining
Review: happydogpotatohead's review sure got it right, except I give it five stars. This is the masterpiece of the over-the-top Biblical epic genre. Ann Baxter is in an outrageous class of her own, but what else can you do with the lines she has? Actually, Yvonne DeCarlo provides some dignity, pretty amazing considering the ludicrous pseudo-Biblical dialogue she has. But in addition to singling out Edward G. Robinson's Brooklyn gangster in old Egypt, and all the other wild performances that others have cited, can we forget Martha Scott, Nina Foch, John Derek and Debra Paget? Hardly. For such perfection in casting, bringing together so many actors who work in different styles and giving them the freedom to make a glorious over-the-top mishmash, all credit to Cecil B. DeMille, who always knew that mixing sin and sex in with the Bible was a sure way to bring in the crowds. And the design of this film adds another layer of perfection. Finally, DeMille's portentous, self-important opening speech in front of the curtain offers a crowning touch at the very beginning of the film. They don't show that part on TV! They don't make movies like this one anymore, and we are all the poorer for that. But then they must know that nothing could ever equal, much less surpass, this one.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: High Camp and Ripe Corn
Review: My wife and I watch "The Ten Commandments" on TV every year, but not because we're religious. This has to be one of the most inadvertently funny movies ever made. Charlton Heston is at his most biliously histrionic. Yul Brynner manages to be cool even though he's stuck wearing a miniskirt. But they're not the ones you should watch for.

Watch out for the details. In the beginning of the film when a well-oiled, buff Moses brings the spoils of Africa, he introduces the very black and very hot "Princess Therbis" who is introduced to the Pharoah. She cuts her eyes at Heston and states in a low, sexy purr, "He is wise...and strong." The way she says it, sounds like Moses conquered more than territory. This bit of unexpected innuendo is especially hilarious considering Heston's current standing as Mr. Super Conservative White Guy.

Look out for Anne Baxter as Nefretiri. She's the only one in the movie who "gets it." It's obvious she can't take this hokum seriously, so she turns Nefretiri into a Bettie Page-like sex kitten, a hoochie girl of ancient Egypt. She lounges lasciviously. She undulates snakily. She purrs and growls her lines mercilessly. She oozes RAW SEX. And boy, does she have some lines. "Oh Moses, Moses, you stubborn, splendid, adorable fool!" is just one. When Moses returns from the mountain all gray and done up like Wolfman Jack, Baxter/Nefretiri pulls him aside and slathers herself all over him for old times' sake. "Your wife...does she smell of myrrh as I do, or does she have the odor of...sheep?" Baxter is outrageous, one reason to watch this camp classic.

Other reasons? Count how many times Heston says "BONDAGE." Count how many times you see shirtless buff male slaves being whipped by equally buff male Egyptians and wonder... Watch Vincent Price ogle and leer his way across the screen. Edward G. Robinson in blackface, his New York gangster accent as out of place as a pork roast at Passover. Of course Yul Brynner saying "So it is written...So It Shall Be Done!"

The special effects and sets are extremely spiffy for the '50s and still look pretty good today. But the real fun of "The Ten Commandments" is to watch it as though it were a Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode. It's hilarious. And one final thought: is it just me, or is it slightly weird that DeMille supplied the voice of God?

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A VERY HUMAN FILM...DISPLAYING THE POWER OF SPIRIT
Review: I love THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. It is a great film. A film that you can really sit down to and enjoy. You can feel the epicness through each scene, through each actors portrayal. You can journey with Moses through his spiritual progression: from CHILD to MAN to SPIRITUAL MAN. Born of a slave mother, guided and protected by the Divine One, led to the royal family he would eventually dethrone, he would later be cast out into the sand and dust, given his mother's HEBREW ROBE and a staff... to be stripped of every material worth, only to realize that his real treasure awaited him in a new land. Humbled and inspired by the "burning bush", realizing that the living God has no shape or form but is, as quoted, "eternal mind". A true "wickedness" versus "righteousness" movie. Charleton Heston (Moses), as well as the rest of the cast ignited real human emotions. I gave this film 5 stars because I believe the intent of Cecil B. Demille was to portray as real as possible the story of Moses, according to biblical scripture and other valuable texts. The depiction (skin tone and ethnicity)of the actual Egyptians and Hebrews could be argued, but I choose to find my meaning not in the "flesh" of the actors but in the power of the story and what Moses divine conversion meant to me. Buy The Ten Commandments on DVD or VHS, it's an epic film...you will treasure for a lifetime.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Striking film with cartoonish special effects! Hooray!
Review: Hooray for Charlton Heston, I say! Three cheers for Chuck. The special effects in this film are laughable, but that is their charm. I always enjoy Charlton Heston, but his over-the-top performance and silly hair make the film a campy joy to watch. Convulse with laughter as he parts the Red Sea!

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: POOR FILM
Review: One of the worst films ever made. i cant believe filth like this can get made. first off: its historical incorrect, like , okay charlton heston wasnt even born when this was suppose to have happened. and what the hell was that damn vile robot from "westworld" doing there? where the hell is barbara's son.... james and that skinny dude with the mustache when ya need them? horrible , horrible film.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Enjoyable if long biblical epic
Review: What you ultimately think of this Hollywood epic depends on your tastes of bible stories made into cinema features. However I think that few will argue that this is one of classic efforts of modern (sound movie) times.

Casting for the story is excellent. The 'heroes' are dignified and are feeling, even if not fully aware, people. Charleton Heston makes an excellent Moses. The villians lend a palitable sense of underhandedness and backstabbing to their characters. Yul Bryner is suberbly cast as Ramses, son of Pharoh and flawlessly acts out the part of an aloof and callous tyrant.

Some parts or roles are somewhat overacted at times when viewed from today's standards, but one should remember that this is an older film made when roles tended to be played more like the silent era films.

The special effects achieved are amazing for the time period and I doubt that anyone who has seen the 'parting of the Red Sea' scene will quickly forget it. A supporting cast of hundreds give the feel of an actual event. Certainly no corners were cut in making the story as real as possible for the theater. Some scenes raise a lump in one's throat because of the grandeur of the production.

The visual transfer to DVD is well done and captures the vibrant colors of the original film. Sound is also good, however some vocals seem a bit muted. For instance, the voice of "God" is very difficult to hear at normal volume and I find myself turning up the sound during the couple of times that God talks to Moses.

The DVD version comes on two disks complete with and intermission. The movie is some 3 hours long and may be a bit difficult for younger audiences to get through. Those over the age of ten or so should not have any problem however. There are several versions of the theatrical trailer included on the disk and a monologue from Cecil Demille.

Looking for an evening of family entertainment (and religious education)? This film is hard to beat. Most will probably view it over and over during the years. For a movie that is approaching 50 years old it remains very popular -- and the 'message' within is timeless.

** Highly Recommended **

~P~


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