Moses

Rating:
Summary: Good, but the complete miniseries is what I'm waiting for.
Review: I remember watching this program during the mid-1970's, when it was broadcast under the title "Moses: The Lawgiver," produced by Vincenzo Labella, who would later produce Franco Zeffirelli's miniseries "Jesus of Nazareth." What we have on this DVD is a portion of that miniseries edited down from 6 hours to 141 minutes. Why? This would have made a great 2-DVD set with the complete, uncut miniseries, just as the "Jesus of Nazareth" DVD set was. What you do get to see here is a great performance by Burt Lancaster as Moses. Anthony Quale also shines as Moses' brother Aaron. This program follows Moses from his birth and upbringing in the Egyptian court to his exile in Midian where he meets his wife Zipporah (Irene Papas). Then after he is called by God at the burning bush, Moses returns to Egypt to demand the release of his people. We then witness the ten plagues, the Exodus (although the parting of the Red Sea doesn't quite look as "majestic" as the effect in "The Ten Commandments"), and the Ten Commandments and the Golden Calf. If this had been the complete miniseries, I would have been willing to give 5 stars. But with this edit, three will have to do.

Rating:
Summary: from mediocre to bad to worse
Review: Originally a 6 hour TV production by ITC/RAI and filmed in Italy and Israel, this film makes strange viewing even cut back to 141 minutes. It starts out with some hope, but slides progressively downhill; it has many awkward, stilted passages, and Burt Lancaster bravely manages to be interesting despite a script laden with "psychological insight". He also gets to talk to himself a lot, as his voice is used as the voice of God. Other excellent actors caught in this production are Anthony Quayle as Aaron the priest and brother of Moses (it is interesting to note the origins of the Mr. Spock "live long and prosper" Vulcan hand signals from "Star Trek" as Aaron recites the "Shema" however), and Irene Papas as Zipporah, looking beautiful as always.

The "golden calf incident" is so excruciating it is laughable; rather like an erotic "Night of the Living Dead", and the special effects are feeble, the parting of the sea being especially pathetic. Some of the cinematography however is nice (by Marcello Gatti) as is the rather spacey soundtrack by Ennio Morricone, with additional songs by Dov Seltzer.
Many unpleasant scenes, from animal sacrifices to the fatal stoning of a man, make this film not recommended for children.
For Lancaster fans, and those of us who like to watch Bible epics, no matter how twisted and badly done, this is good for a single serving, no reruns.

Rating:
Summary: Lancaster is superb as the bearer of the DIVINE TEN!
Review: Originally aired as a CBS miniseries, this Italian-British-American production features a subdued Burt Lancaster as a man struggling with the heavenly responsibility of liberator of the children of Israel.

Backed by an international cast and a magnificent Ennio Morricone score, this is a rarity as a Biblical epic, one devoid of the big-budgeted special effects and over-the-top acting so characteristic of the genre. It tells one of the most important and essential stories of all time in a poignant and challenging way.

A great film for fans of the actor and great storytelling, "Moses" transcends over all others.

Rating:
Summary: I Would Like To See This On DVD!
Review: The Ten Commandments starring Charlton Heston is an excellent movie but this lesser known movie about Moses starring Burt Lancaster is also good and he also was very good as Moses and I also liked the actor who played Moses's brother Aaron. The Ten Commandments is more glossy and has a huge cast of well known popular Hollywood actors and this movie called Moses is more low-key and simple, just more down to earth and I think a lot of people prefer the more glossy version but I think the down to earth subdued filming and acting of Moses is part of it's charm. This movie was I think originally a mini series so I think that they might have edited it and I would like to see Moses made availalable on DVD and if they did edit it from it's original length I hope they can add it back. I recommend that people Give this under appreciated movie about Moses a chance!