Hand-tinted footage of the Exodus and Parting of the Red Sea Sequence from the 1923 Silent Film. Making of the trailer from 1956 as well as Theatrical Trailers for subsequent re-releases of the film. Newsreel footage from the 1956 World Premiere in New York. DeMille’s Epic, The Ten Commandments” on both the 1956 Feature Film and the 1923 Silent Film. Commentary by Katherine Orrison, author of “Written in Stone: Making Cecil B. Making of documentary: The Ten Commandments, “Making Miracles.”
Copy of 1923 (silent version) of The Ten Commandments (136 min) in HD Copy of 1956 movie: The Ten Commandments (Blu-ray and DVD) This 6-disc set is similar to the Limited Edition version releases in 2011. The Ten Commandments re-releases to home video in an Ultimate Collectors Edition.
Home Video Notes: The Ten Commandments: Ultimate Collectors Edition The most recent home video release of The Ten Commandments movie is September 3, 2013. Starring Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Cecil B. Using all the special effects available in 1956, the parting of the Red Sea and other ambitious recreations still make this film look quite miraculous. Yet even though it breaks a few commandments, the monumental nature of this motion picture stands as a fitting tribute to an equally significant scriptural figure. Those familiar with the Bible will find some blatant errors. It’s just too bad DeMille wasn’t as careful about preserving scriptural facts. The film also boasts wonderful set design, with incredible attention paid to reconstructing ancient Egypt. Nor does it portray the lasciviousness of the royal court or the erring Hebrews with more than verbal illusions and some scanty costumes. Although many of these elements are violent, such as the slaughter of the Israelite infants, the turning of the Nile waters into blood, and the death of the first-born Egyptians, the film is careful not to wallow in their goriness. With DeMille’s characteristic melodrama, The Ten Commandments brings the details of Moses’ life to the big screen. The answer to that question comes from the burning bush, when the Lord commands him to return to the land of his nativity and tell Pharaoh, “Let my people go.” Still, he cannot understand why any Deity would allow one nation to oppress another. While dwelling in the tents of these simple shepherds, Moses learns of their common ancestor and the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The exiled stranger wanders in the hot sand until the family of Jethro rescues him. But the Egyptians interpret his actions as treason and banish him to the desert. When sympathy moves Moses to kill an abusive taskmaster, the Israelites are convinced he is the deliverer promised by their God. After a taste of his forebears’ bitter bondage, his sense of injustice is awakened. Driven by his personal integrity, the would-be ruler seeks out the Hebrew slave who gave him life. Just when it appears Moses has won the kingdom and the maiden’s heart, he discovers the truth about his lineage. They are also competing for the affections of Nefretiri (Anne Baxter), the beautiful crown princess appointed to marry the next king. Because the aging Pharaoh favors Moses’ leadership potential above that of his own son, the two cousins are now vying for the throne of Egypt. Adopted by a daughter of the royal household and raised as a prince, he has been a constant rival to Rameses (Yul Brynner), the heir apparent. Painted as wise beyond his years, the young man has no memory of his birth mother or the death sentence he narrowly escaped in a basket set afloat the Nile. He simply applies artistic license-with a sense of relish.ĭeMille’s portrait made Charlton Heston the definitive Moses. However, that doesn’t deter the Hollywood veteran from tackling the challenge of retelling the Biblical story. By the director’s own admittance during his on-screen introduction to the movie, much of the prophet’s early life is undocumented. DeMille’s epic production, The Ten Commandments. “Moses, Moses…” is perhaps the most uttered line in Cecil B.