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Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock, Jeff Goldblum ... see more see more... , Danny Glover , Patrick Stewart , Helen Mirren , Steve Martin , Martin Short , Natalie Portman , Mel Brooks , Rick Steves

Dreamworks Pictures has taken the biblical story of Exodus, put it into cartoon form, and released it on the big screen as an epic animated feature. The Prince of Egypt tells the story of Moses releas... read more read more...ing the Jews from Egyptian slavery under the hand of the evil pharaoh Rameses. Think of The Ten Commandments with songs and an all-star cast doing the voices. In the Charlton Heston role of Moses is Val Kilmer. Moses' brother Rameses, previously played by Yul Brynner, is now voiced by Ralph Fiennes. The story revolves around these two close brothers, Moses and Rameses. While Rameses is groomed to take over the land, his beloved brother Moses is a carefree prankster, until he learns the true secret of his past. His secret, of course, is that he is really a Jew and as a child was floated down the river to escape mass genocide. The pharaoh Seti (Patrick Stewart) raised Moses as his son. Upon learning the truth of his past from a burning bush, Moses returns to Egypt with God on his side and demands that the pharaoh (now his brother Rameses) must "Let my people go." With songs written by Oscar-winner Stephen Schwartz and sung by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey, The Prince of Egypt covers all the classic story points of the story of Moses, including the ten plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. ~ Arthur Borman, Rovi

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67% liked it

178,332 ratings

Critics

79% liked it

84 critics

PG, 1 hr. 37 min.

Directed by: Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner, Danny Glover, Helen Mirren, Jeff Goldblum, Martin Short, Mel Brooks, Michelle Pfeiffer, Patrick Stewart, Ralph Fiennes, Sandra Bullock, Simon Wells, Val Kilmer

Release Date: December 18, 1998

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DVD Release Date: September 14, 1999

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Stats: 5,668 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (5,668)

  • fb1038944442
    April 11, 2012
    fb1038944442
    The Prince of Egypt has a lot going for it, first and foremost, stunning distinctive art direction and animation. It also has excellent voice performances, solid songs, and of course an iconic story. BUT this slice of biblical iconography is almost insurmountably difficult to pu... read morell off, both in avoiding religious offence and making a film that will appeal to kids (and their worried parents) with all the death and wrathful messages contained in its plot points.

    Katzenberg and his vast team pulled it off (I rescreened it this Passover with a room with half adults and half kids) and it held everyone's attention throughout. If there is anything disappointing about it, it's the extreme care taken not to offend, resulting in a film that can leave a bland taste at many pivotal moments. To its credit, it's not remotely triumphalist (like most Haggadahs) and portrays all its Egyptian antogonists as sympathetic human beings, caught in an inexorable grand design.

    The story does borrow an non-bibilcal embellishment from the DeMille epic, which is making Moses and Ramses 'brothers' who are torn apart by their adversarial roles. This choice provides the thurst of most of the drama in the story, so that we relate to the story on a basic human level. The script also takes a big liberty, revealing Moses' Hebrew roots much later than in the bible (in early adulthood), causing a much more wrenching decision and reaction than if he were a child, as in the orgiinal story.

    As for the voice actors, Ralph Fiennes gives the most complex and indelible performance as the unfortunate Pharoah who is caught in a tragic conundrum with his daddy issues and his tragic, fated role. Jeff Goldblum amusingly plays Aaron as a whiny, often spineless brother, and Sandra Bullock gives a sassy sincerity to sister Miriam. Steve Martin and Martin Short get a few chuckles as the comic relief as a pair of pompuous pagan priests, but the film holds back the yucks so they don't overwhelm the serious intent of the bigger enterprise. Makes sense, but it does feel like a wasted opportunity.

    When the film was released, I was unimpressed by Val Kilmer's decidedly mortal and apparently colorless take on Moses (and God!). He's low key and very inwardly tortured, but upon further screenings, Kilmer's take is apt. Interestingly, MOSES is the audience's surrogate in the story, we experience the story through his emotions and his revelations. As for his 'voice of god', Kilmer makes no attempt to take on another voice, so God's words appear to be expressed directly on Moses' brain - as his concience. This is an effective strategy and is not as jarring as a big booming basso 'GOD' voice as in Demille's Ten Commandments.

    I am a fan of the Stephen Schwartz songs, they are tuneful and advance the plot nicely. Schwartz is a unappreciated talent, and has written a bunch of hit Broadway shows (Godspell, Wicked) and animated movie tunes that will be long remembered both for earworm catchy melodies and deft lyrics. That said, as evidenced by the Whitney/Mariah duet of 'When You Believe' the songs have the dated melisma style of nineties Disney style pop (a la Mencken) and their production style is already starting to sound dated. I should also mention I appreciate the original Hebrew, right out of the bible, retained in the English version, especially during the song of the sea at the film's climax, they are an fitting and reverent way to give honor to this deeply spiritual moment.

    As for the plagues and the gore, they're handled with taste and creativity. The execution of the first born scene is brilliant, and doesn't skirt the point. There's no angel of death, but a ghostlike travelling light. An Egytian child goes in the doorway, out of frame, the light passes through him, then we hear his body drop and his lifeless hand flops into the shot. It's an unforgettable moment for what it doesn't show.

    The main reason to see P of E is the spectacular animation, with stunning lighting and colour effects inspired by Egypt itself and a distinctive, psuedo-Modigliani style line drawing effect on the human characters that gives the film a pleasing and majestic look and feel. Despite its flaws and shortcomings, it's hard to imagine a more successful take on a pivotal, primal story that means so much to so many. The delicate balance of all the various senistive aspects of this challenge has been met. Highly recommended.
  • theunknownhobo
    October 5, 2011
    theunknownhobo
    An amazingly accurate portrayal of the Biblical story of Moses and the Pharoah, all played out in stunning animation. Although I feel it is a little too long for children to fully appreciate, as someone with a keen interest (although no belief) in this arena I found it compelling... read more to watch. We see Moses literally go from the baby in the bullrushes to the hero in the promised lands, without ever once remembering that it is the same boring story you have heard a million times through out your life. It is refreshing and revitalising and if it does anything, puts a little more credibility into faith. Moses - the first superhero.
  • 3niR
    August 25, 2011
    3niR
    Moses was not called by this name in Quran. He was called Musa.
    The song at the beginning was mind blowing. It was very touching.
    I did liked the cartoon a bit.
  • spielberg00
    August 12, 2011
    spielberg00
    OK+
  • skeletonking101
    November 19, 2010
    skeletonking101
    This is by far the best rendition of the story in the bible (may i add, my favorite chapter in the bible)the actors were perfect choices for every character and this is probably the only movie where i know literally every actor and actresses that played the main characters and su... read morepporting characters. Along with the songs in the film, in my mind this movie has the best songs in all of the films in dream works animation history.
  • bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb1
    July 29, 2010
    bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb1
    F
  • smith44
    March 15, 2010
    smith44
    Propaganda, but quite well done.
  • TomBowler
    August 2, 2009
    TomBowler
    an amazing adaptation of a bible story with some of the most amazing songs in film to date.
  • LoughnerWasLucid
    June 10, 2009
    LoughnerWasLucid
    i hate these corny bible cartoons
  • rezpatriot
    January 11, 2008
    rezpatriot
    I was expecting more from this story, the central character is Moses, the animation is great, but the voice overs are too over bearing and unkind for a childrens movie which doesn't really present itself much of a bible story anyway.

View All The Prince of Egypt Reviews

Critic Reviews

Stephen Hunter
March 19, 2008
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post

The movie's proudest accomplishment is that it revises our version of Moses toward something more immediate and believable, more humanly knowable. Full Review

David Edelstein
March 19, 2008
David Edelstein, Slate

This is sensational cinema: crowds swarming among pyramids in eye-popping 3-D, camerawork that's distinctly Spielbergian in its fluidity. Full Review

Lisa Alspector
March 19, 2008
Lisa Alspector, Chicago Reader

The blend of animation techniques somehow demonstrates mastery modestly, while the special effects are nothing short of magnificent. Full Review

Jeff Millar
July 21, 2005
Jeff Millar, Houston Chronicle

The handsomely animated Prince of Egypt is an amalgam of Hollywood biblical epic, Broadway supermusical and nice Sunday school lesson. Full Review

Liam Lacey
July 12, 2002
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

Takes itself too seriously. Full Review

Peter Stack
June 18, 2002
Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle

An inspiring translation of biblical grandeur, turning the story of one of history's greatest heroes into an entertaining, visually dazzling cartoon. Full Review

Kenneth Turan
February 14, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

The 400-member-strong Prince of Egypt team (led by directors Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner and Simon Wells and ramrodded by executive producer Jeffrey Katzenberg) have created a succession of visual w... Full Review

Glenn Lovell
January 1, 2000
Glenn Lovell, Variety

Sometimes out-DeMilles DeMille's 1956 live-action epic, THE TEN COMMANDMENTS! Full Review

Charles Taylor
January 1, 2000
Charles Taylor, Salon.com

The Prince of Egypt is middlebrow kitsch, but kitsch straining for respectability and therefore without the energy that can make kitsch entertaining. Full Review

Cody Clark
January 1, 2000
Cody Clark, Mr. Showbiz

A visually breathtaking film!

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Facts

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    • Moses / God: Rameses, your stubbornness is bringing this misery upon Egypt. It would cease if only you would let the Hebrews go.
    • Rameses: I will not be dictated to. I will not be threatened. I am the morning and the evening star. I am Pharaoh.
    • Moses / God: But something else is coming, something much worse than anything before. Please. Let go of your contempt for life before you destroy everything you all dear. Think of your son.
    • Rameses: I do. You Hebrews have been nothing but trouble. My father had the right idea about how to deal with your people.
    • Moses / God: Rameses.
    • Rameses: And I think it's time I finished the job.
    • Moses / God: Rameses.
    • Rameses: And there shall be a great cry in all of Egypt, such as never has been or ever will be again.
    • Moses / God: Rameses you bring this upon yourself.
    • Moses / God: Well that went well.
    • Rameses: Just go away.
    • Moses / God: It could have been worse.
    • Rameses: 'The weak link in the chain.' That's what he called me.
    • Moses / God: *jokingly* Well, you are rather pathetic.
    • Rameses: Irresponsible, ignorant of the traditions. He practically accused me of bringing down the dynasty.
    • Moses / God: *jokingly* Yeah I can see it now: there go the pyramids.
    • Rameses: You can laugh about it.
    • Moses / God: *jokingly*Statues cracking and toppling over, the Nile drying up. Single-handedly, you will manage to bring the greatest kingdom on earth to ruin.
    • Rameses: Still gnawing away on that bone, are we?
    • Moses / God: Rameses, let my people go!
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The Prince of Egypt Trivia

  • Steve martin voiced the character,   Answer »
  • "When You Believe"(performed by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston) is the soundtrack of...  Answer »
  • 'Two brothers united by friendship, divided by destiny.'  Answer »
  • I played Queen Charlotte in The Madness of King George, was the voice for the Queen in The Prince of Egypt and have also played the current Queen of England. Who am I?   Answer »
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