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Theodore Roberts, Charles De Roche, Estelle Taylor, Richard Dix, Julia Faye ... see more see more... , Rod La Rocque , James Neill , Edythe Chapman , Lawson Butt , Clarence Burton , Noble Johnson , Leatrice Joy , Nita Naldi , Robert Edeson , Charles Ogle , Agnes Ayres , Wilson Benge , Terrence Moore , Charles de Rochefort

Cecil B. DeMille's first screen version of The Ten Commandments is only peripherally a Biblical story. The film's first 45 minutes recaps the struggle between Moses (Theodore Roberts) and Rameses (Cha... read more read more...rles de Roche) over the liberation of the Hebrews. Only after the Lord has imposed a series of plagues upon Egypt does Rameses relent and permit the Exodus to take place--only to go back on his word a few moments later. The scenes of thousands of Hebrews trekking across the desert, the parting of the Red Sea (an effect accomplished in part by splitting a bowl of gelatin down the middle) and the pre-Commandments revelries before the Golden Calf--complete with a fetchingly undressed Estelle Taylor as Miriam--are produced on a spectacular scale...but this is only the beginning. Just as Moses is invoking the Wrath of God upon the ungrateful Hebrews, the film dissolves to the present day (1923, that is). We are introduced to the MacTavish Family: pious, Bible-thumping Martha McTavish (Edythe Chapman) and her sons, straight-arrow John (Richard Dix) and hedonistic Dan (Rod LaRocque). Both sons love Mary Leigh (Leatrice Joy), but the roguish Dan wins out. While John continues honoring the Ten Commandments, Dan breaks as many as he can get his hands on, especially after falling under the spell of Eurasian adventuress Sally Lung (Nita Naldi). Before the uplifting climax, wherein John and Mary finally get together with (it is implied) the blessings of Heaven, we are treated to a series of disastrous plot turns, including the death of mother McTavish in a collapsing church, Sally Lung's revelation that she has leprosy, and a wild speedboat chase. All that's missing is the kitchen sink. Partially filmed in Technicolor at a then-astronomical cost of $1.2 million (a sum that caused a decade-long rift between Cecil B. DeMille and Paramount Pictures), The Ten Commandments grossed several times that amount. DeMille's 1956 Ten Commandments dispenses with the modern story to concentrate on the life of Moses. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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80% liked it

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Critics

80% liked it

5 critics

Unrated, 2 hr. 26 min.

Directed by: Cecil B. DeMille

Release Date: January 1, 1923

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DVD Release Date: March 21, 2006

Stats: 231 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (231)

  • ajv2688
    December 7, 2010
    ajv2688
    This movie is extremely long, so I only saw the first half, but I want to rent it again and see the second half. The special effects are spectacular, the story is brilliant, realistic, and historic, I loved this movie, it's better than the 50s remake.
  • puffchunk
    November 22, 2007
    puffchunk
    This has got to be the most over played film on TV in the world. It's okay, but it certainly feels like I'm at a play, not a movie.
  • merlynsprankling
    June 10, 2008
    merlynsprankling
    Be inspired, persecuted and be saved.
  • gatoroll
    March 21, 2008
    gatoroll
    The Cecil B. DeMille
    masterpiece. As epics go, so is the path of this one of biblical proportions. As stories put to screen come and go, this one is second to none.
  • ambybeebee
    December 17, 2007
    ambybeebee
    can not celebrate eater until i watch this movie it has been a tradition from as far back as i remember i use to love staying up late with my mom and watching this with her
  • shagadelic807
    November 1, 2007
    shagadelic807
    Everybody has to follow the Ten Commandments because its the Lords request for us to worship him and what he has to say to obey.
  • redneckchickhiyall
    August 23, 2007
    redneckchickhiyall
    I have loved this movie since I was a kid and watched it every year around Easter with my Grandmother.
  • Doppleganger
    March 27, 2007
    Doppleganger
    Though lacking in some points of accuracy with the scripture, this is an epic film to be enjoyed through the ages.

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Critic Reviews

Sean Axmaker
April 1, 2011
Sean Axmaker, Parallax View

DeMille's trademark sensibility aside, the two sections illustrate what the director gave up in his transformation into epic moviemaker. Full Review

Rich Cline
September 19, 2004
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

pure spectacle

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

March 25, 2006
New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

January 1, 2000
Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Lori Hoffman
August 17, 2006
Lori Hoffman, Atlantic City Weekly

No review available.

Jeffrey Westhoff
April 4, 2006
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

No review available.

Emanuel Levy
July 21, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

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The Ten Commandments Trivia

  • 1980s. a conteporary take on the ten commandments. it is about 10 hours long.  Answer »
  • From the movie "The Ten commandments" the name Moses means:  Answer »
  • "Have the days of darkness helped you see the light?", is from what movie?  Answer »
  • What 1956 film has this tag line : It would take more then a man to lead the slaves from bondage . It would take a God ?  Answer »
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