I've always liked the short, but significant character arc that the Egyptian adoptive mother of Moses goes through. When the Israelites leave Egypt, she's riding on a fancy royal litter, carried by her servants, and takes an old man on as another passenger. Later, when they are passing through the Red Sea, she's on foot, carrying a child. When a wagon is having trouble moving forward, she gives the child to another person, and helps push the wagon, like any other commoner. When they're through the Red Sea, she's huddled there side by side with the Israelites at the foot of the rock Moses is standing on. All of her royalty and privilege has been swept away, and she's now part of the Israelites.
Bithia is an English version/translation of the Hebrew name Batya/Basya. Batya means daughter of God. The Hebrew Bible (old testament) only calls her by the name Batya. We are never given her Egyptian name. The sages explain that because the daughter of Pharoah, saved Moses' life, God therefore rewarded her and called her daughter. A daughter to the king of kings.
Don... You know I never actually noticed all of those little things and I've seen this movie quite a few times. I noticed a part with the cart but I missed her carrying the child. Sharp eye and that is a great character Arc
That's true and a lot of other races were saved too.. That where slave to the Egyptian government. And also the Egyptian people who helped God's people went out of Egypt to be with them..
I read Charleston Heston’s autobiography. In it, he mentioned a funny incident during filming. Between takes after the golden calf scene, a dancing girl in costume walked up to him and bumping her hip with his, called him a “party pooper”. He said, “It wasn’t easy being the messenger of God”. Lol
This was DeMille's last work. You gotta admit he went out on top! The acting was more theatrical like in a play but it still makes an impact. Brynner's Ramses is so iconic in the depiction of evil. For 1956, this was an epic work of art considering the tech that was available. I'm so happy you shared this with us, Cassie. God bless! 🙏
The fact that you are sincerely baffled by Nefertiri's motivations and actions tickles me, and restores a little faith in my heart. You're such a sweet person. Love your reactions!
She's a sweet lady but rather clueless as to what's going on in a movie at times. Maybe it's because movies today are so dumbed down that people can't recognize nuance and hidden motivations.
Dathan is a composite character who says all the dumber things that many of the Hebrews said in the Bible during the exodus. He’s played by Edward G. Robinson, who played a lot of mobsters in the 30s and 40s. Robinson was actually a very kind-hearted man who helped out other actors when they fell on hard times.
@@rbrtck Robinson also did the 'proof of concept' screen tests with Heston for 'Planet of the Apes'. He decided he wouldn't be able to endure the makeup process, so bowed out of doing the movie. Hard to know if Robinson would have made a better Zaius than Maurice Evans.
Dathan, Ibiram, and On were swallowed up alive into Sheol when they and Korah rebelled against Moses while wandering in the wilderness. He tried to warn them that it was really God that they were rebelling against. Comeuppance. Korah and those who were with him standing before the Tabernacle waiting for a sign from God were just straight up smote on the spot. So many exciting stories in the Bible. Way better than any movie could portray.
"How many times they forget the power of God?" Short answer: a lot, and very frequently. A common topic in the Bible is that humankind forgets quickly of divine power when things either go too well or are pretty bad. Yes, Aaron made the golden idol and the Ten Commandments were written twice. Fun fact: the final reference that Moses could not cross the river Jordan is partially a reference to the humanity of Moses, because over time he also had doubts over God's words sometimes (and he was punished by that). The film, of course, being an epic play decided to present Moses most of the times as "above the average individual", specially after he turned into a prophet (with many lines and incidents created to underline that he was just "too good"). "Why is Nefertiti taking pleasure from her own plotting?" First of all, Nefertiti is a created character (in the Bible Ramses' wife is not that prominent). Accoridng to the Bible, all the stubborness and change of opinion was Ramses' own fault. But, for the film, we can argue this: in a world domimated by men (Nefertiti is reminded several times she can't choose who to marry or what to do), she has discovered she can influence the thoughts and emotions of men. With the right words she can make the pharao create or destroy things (while he thinks all was his own idea). In her first display, Nefertiti takes pleasure in showing Moses she (partially) holds the key for the liberation of Hebrews (even when Moses claims to speak for a superior power, Nefertiti still wants to prove she is above any power proclaimed by men); on the second display, after her son's death, she wants revenge; but she can't take the army and ride to have her own revenge. Her husband must do this for her. And how will he do that? By having his pride stung; and Nefertiti knows very well what buttons to push. She always thinks she is outsmarting men in their own game (something that she would have done, if God hadn't a personal interest in the issue). "The curious acting style" True, the acting style is partially influenced by theather, but the "odd" phrasing and words come from the idea that, to represent the Bible, things have to feel "outerwordly", "superior" "perfect" and "divine". Almost every epic Bible film does this (Ben Hur is set around the Bible, but is not exactly making the characters quote all the events in those passages). It's a relatively recent thing that biblical stories use less "formal" english and "elevated" performances. And that would be it; nice reaction and see you in the next one :).
An excellent summarization, I say! And, herewith, some supportive assertions for the three major points, taken in order: Thought goes to the line spoken by Merlin (Nicol Williamson) in John Boorman's *Excalibur* : "... it is the Doom of Men, that they forget." And the compression of time by filmic convention helps US forget that days and weeks separated each plague, time enough for doubt to stealthily come into people's minds as it always does, until they start asking themselves, "Did it *really* all happen just that way?" and be willing to heed a demagogue like Dathan when he offers convincing alternatives. Nefretiri (who ought not to be confused with Akhenaten's queen Nefertiti, who lived centuries earlier) is perhaps the most sympathetic character in the movie. She loved Moses heart and soul, was devastated when loutish Rameses won out, and having learned of Moses' survival never ceased to contrive to get back into his arms. Her tragedy is, as Moses perceived, that she allows that love to blind her to everything else in life. She is not willing to share Moses with the alien people who come to depend upon him, and cannot really grasp the deeper notions such as that love of God can and does surmount that which exists between a man and a woman. Only after the death of her son (the sole person she loved as much as Moses himself) is she ready and willing to have him - quite literally - cut out of her life. Cecil B. De Mille was born in the 19th century, a time when Americans took their Bible even more seriously than they do now, and the acting style purposefully harks back to the days of oratory and declamations staged in tableau format in the theater, a time when Bible characters were required to fulfill audience expectations to be seen and heard as larger and louder than life - people that, to quote Mozart (Tom Hulce) in *Amadeus,* are "so lofty they sound as if they sh*t marble!" Mr. De Mille evidently thought that this was necessary to ensure that his ultimate epic spoke not only from and for his time, but all time. And, you know - it's rather hard to argue with that conclusion. 😎
@@Shan_Dalamani Oh, but Nefretiri was indeed historical herself - said to have been the favorite wife of Rameses II. (In accounts I have seen her name rendered as "Nofertiri".) But your input is still welcome anyway! 🤓
One thing from the Biblical narrative that you don't see in the movie is the role of Moses as an intercessor for the people of Israel. Because they were such a stiff-necked people, Moses frequently asked God for mercy on their behalf.
The acting style is theater. They turn to face the audience when they speak even though there was no audience. It was the style they chose. That's why it's different from Ben Hur.
@MoMoMyPuP10 But all of the acting is not in this style. 12 Angry Men, Psycho, Its A Wonderful Life etc. had a different style. But even so, human social/ behavioral norms are different now from what they were then, and the behavioral norms usually depicted on old films were the high society norms of the time. There basically is no high society anymore, even the wealthy today display "crude" working class sensibilities and behavioral norms
@@periechontology yes, there are exceptions but it's frequently kept me from wanting to watch many that I might actually like, if I could get started watching
The full story of Moses (especially the 40 year wandering in the wilderness that the movie skips over) shows a lot more the compassion of Moses - how he had to deal with the unceasing complaints from the Israelites and how he had to intervene for them with God on more than one occasion.
I remember watching this as a kid in the 80s, and thinking it was a real shame that the movie didn't cover the events that happened after Mt. Sinai - God providing food and water in the desert, the making of the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle, the various events (not too many) during the 40 year desert trip, the fight with the Amalekites, and some other peoples east of the Jordan.
I would love to see a decent film that told the many different stories that unfold after the story of "The Ten Commandments". A Ridley Scott or Peter Jackson directed series from the stories of the Bible would be EPIC!
As dated as most of the visual effects are, I still find them effective. But the image of the angel of death comes down from the sky in a fog shaped like a hand with the moon as a backdrop is on a whole different level. It gives me chills to this day even since I was a kid.
Yeah I’d have to say it still cringes my bones watching the Angle of Death come down from the sky. People have to remember that though God is good, do we really understand what good is? He’s Almighty and All Powerful. Our God is an Awesome God!
@@Cheepchipsable God only commanded genocide upon peoples that weren't fully human. These people also were evil offering their children as sacrifices to their gods, etc.
Now you see the tie from "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and what was in the box - they were expecting the tablets. Ben Hur, Ten Commandments and Greatest Story ever told...the kinds of movies they don't make anymore. Epic
Did you know there were supposed to be FIFTEEN commandments! Please review "History of the World - Part 1" to see what happened to 11-15. You will also find out why its good to be the king
Yes - I think she'd like that movie. The nice thing about skits is if one didn't like one just move to the next. If she liked Saddles and Frankenstein I think she'd like History
No lie. The Lord wrote the Commandments a second time and those tablets (along with the fragments of the broken tablets AND the Pentateuch (to which Joshua would add the account of Moses' death) were all in the Ark of the Covenant at one time or another. That does not mean all of those things were stored there forever. But we don't actually know the disposition of all those items once Jerusalem was taken by David, the hereditary King of all Israel (You have to be descended from Judah, the son of Jacob (Israel) who was the ancestor of the Tribe that bears his name. "Any of you guys ever go to Sunday School?" And once the Temple was built by his son, Solomon, who became King on David's death and then did a Michael Corleone on everybody who had ever insulted his pa. (First Book of Kings Second Chapter) Moses and Aaron are descended from Levi, the son of Jacob who is the ancestor of the hereditary PRIESTS of Israel (not to be confused with rabbis who are teachers and can be from ANY tribe but only LEVITES could serve in the Temple (if there was one). All of this is clearly set out in the 49th Chapter of Genesis.
14:42: Yul Brynner: "Better to die in battle with a God than live in shame".......Cassie: "Arguable"......gave me a chuckle. Cassie, after all that Moses had done, he was denied entry into the the Promised Land for disobedience to God. When the Israelites were wandering in the desert, they needed water. God told Moses to gather them around and speak to a rock and water would flow forth. Instead of speaking to the rock, Moses struck the rock. Water did flow, but the fact Moses did what he wanted instead of what God wanted angered God. That act of disobedience cost Moses dearly.
@@CassandrashadowcassMorrison He didn't enter the Promised Land while he was alive. His presence on the Mount of Transfiguration would indicate that he entered Heaven after his death.
There are some theologians who believe that Moses and Elijah will be the two witnesses who will preach for 3.5 years during the Tribulation. That because of their message proclaiming Jesus as Messiah many who would be the Remnant of Israel that will survive the Tribulation and Antichrist's murderous persecution of both Jews and Christians, and that it will be under their teachings that the 144,000 missionaries to the world according to scripture will be raised up. Elijah was the first person to be raptured, as the Bible says that he "walked with God, and then he was not." indicating the he vanished. Moses may have been similarly taken. Though I am not clear on his fate. Whomever the two witnesses will be, they will be powerful messengers. And one of the things that makes Elijah a strong candidate for the role is that he did not die, but was taken by God. The Bible is clear, "And it is appointed unto man once to die, and after this, the judgment." Elijah must die, and the two witnesses will be killed by Antichrist half-way through the Tribulation, only to be resurrected three days later to return to Heaven. So whether or not the theory of the two witnesses being Moses and Elijah is as good a theory as any, but who the two once may have been is nowhere near as important as the message they will bring in the dark days yet to come. One thing I feel obligated to point out is that when asked about his return, Jesus told his disciples the signs to look for that His return would be eminent. Many rightly state that examples of those signs have been present ever since biblical days. But the fact is that they are ALL happening at the same time in present day, and they are increasing in regularity and intensity. Jesus said that when we see these things start to happen, to look up for our redemption draweth nigh. There is a reason he listed all the signs to specifically look for. But the fact that some of them have always been going on suggests that when he said "when you see these things start to happen" He was referring to all of them, not just some of them. Sorry to go off on a tangent, but it's hard to make a reference to the two witnesses without the context of the tribulation, and it is hard to refer to the tribulation without the context of the signs and event that will herald its beginning. Taking it all together, allows us to know the season of these events, though Jesus was clear that we will not know the day or the hour. We don't need to. All we need to understand is what the Bible says the world will be like during the Tribulation, and then compare that with what the world is like today. And right now, the world is like what the Bible says it will be in that season. So many things in my parents time that had yet to come to pass have been realized in my own time, and there is not really a single thing left that needs to happen before the season Jesus referred to is upon us. We will each make of these things what we will. But that's what I make of them, and how old and new testament scripture ties them together. On that note, may you all have a blessed day.
@@CassandrashadowcassMorrisonExcellent Biblical knowledge and understanding - yes Moses 1st stood in the promised land with Elijah and Jesus at the Transfiguration account. The question I've always had is: How did Peter, James, and John recognize Moses and Elijah?
One of the small things in this movie is that there's a small character Arc for Joshua you can see his leadership skills. When Moses does die eventually before they enter into Israel it's Joshua that takes up the leadership of the Israelites.
5:20 Her arc is an interesting part of the movie. For almost all of it, she loved Moses and hated Ramses. She wanted Moses to win. Maybe even seize the Throne, with her as his Queen. *But:* 12:19 She blames Moses for the death of her son. She goads her husband into attacking. She blamed them both for all of it, and she wanted them to wipe each other out.
The 2nd part is truly EPIC when Moses parted the Red Sea and received the Ten Commandments from Mount Sinai. 😄 Once again I really admire how awesome that Charlton Heston were as Moses, who inspired me so much with The Ten Commandments film.
You did all five Rockies, The Fugitive, and now the Ten Commandments? You are unbelievable and you just gained a patreon subscriber. You have such a precious and tender heart and I absolutely adore your sister as well when she visits. You are flat out the best Channel on RU-vid hands down!
That reminds me of my high school English class years ago. We were reading Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. One side assignment was learning Mark Antony's famous speech "Friends, Romans, Countrymen--lend me your ears. . ." We all had to memorize it and then go up to our teacher's desk to recite it to her. The best part was a school field trip to our local theater where they were running the 1970 adaptation of Julius Caesar starring Charleton Heston as Mark Antony. So when it came to that moment Heston went into the famous speech, the students were reciting it with him. It was such a fun moment!
Epic Hollywood making at its best. DeMille's lavish remake of his silent classic set the bar for grandiose, cast of of thousands story telling and yes the visuals were indeed state-of-the-art. Great reactions.
The last quarter they really collapsed things. The movie pretty much got them to the commandment part, but then skipped 40 years to get to the end. You'll have to read Exodus to get all the details that were missed.
They also skipped a lot of the other stuff... you know, all the rules about when it's either mandatory or merely okay to beat or even kill your own children and enslave people and treat women like chattel.
The movie was already close to 4 hours, almost 5 on ABC when it aired it every Easter (pretty much 1 hour of commercials). If every detail was put into the movie, who knows how long the film could've been.
Another classic epic film you might want to react to is Spartacus starring Kirk Douglas. It came out a year after Ben-Hur and 4 years after The Ten Commandments.
Good observation of the style difference between The Ten Commandments and Ben-Hur. There’s only a three year difference between the two movies but they’re miles apart. I attribute this to the two movie director’s. Cecil B. DeMille, who directed the Ten Commandments, was from Hollywood’s silent film era. Actors from this era used a lot of facial expressions and big body movements to convey their emotions. DeMille continued this style through his direction well after the silent era ended. William Wyler, who directed Ben-Hur, was a WWII veteran. His director style was more human and realistic….
Yeah, in terms of acting they seem more like 20 years apart than 3. Wyler got fantastic performances from his actors, but he was also known for being quite punishing on set bc of how many retakes he wanted. I guess nobody complained at Oscars time tho! 😆
Acting on a stage required exaggerated body movements so the people in the back of the theatre get whats happening. Since you can get close with a camera and everyone is seeing the same thing, it's not needed.
Dathan was played by Edward G. Robinson, one of the greatest actors of old Hollywood. He played villains and heroes equally well. My guess is that you'll eventually react to Double Indemnity and find out just how much he can make you like his character.
For some reason, the image of Edward G. Robinson wearing an apron in the movie 'Scarlet Street' will not leave my brain. He was also an excellent villian opposite Bogart in 'Key Largo'.
There's an old story I was heard that after the big epic Exodus shot of all the people and animals moving out of the City Cecil B. Demille yelled up to a cameraman "Did you get it?" who yelled down, "Ready when you are CB!"
I've heard that story also but it I think it might have related to the original silent version. Anyway, it's a great story and if it isn't actually true it should be!
Well unless I'm mistaken, wasn't he blacklisted in Hollywood before this? Having trouble getting roles, and work. And Demille offered this part and he jumped at it, giving him a 2nd chance with his career ?
Edward G. Robinson co-starred again with Heston in the movie "Soylent Green", ironically set in the then far distant year 2022. It was his last role. He was ill when filming, and died shortly after. The emotion Heston's character shows while watching Robinson's character dying is probably as much genuine heartfelt grieving for his real life friend as it was acting.
The mother of a friend wouldn't watch movies with Victor Mature, because she said she didn't like films where the male actors had bigger boobs than she did.
Yes, i remember i watched that with my Dad, so 1971 or so in cinema...that was the time when these movies were re-released in my hometown. My dad was/is a big fan from this big Hollywood "History" movies. But Samson is some years earlyer made and that is to see...cool stuff and the first big Monumental movies but its cheaper and more "staged"
I remember one Easter Sunday when I watched this movie with my parents, and I shared with them a Metallica song called "Creeping Death" because the lyrics are from the perspective of the tenth plague that killed the first-born sons of Egypt. My mom found it interesting enough to read the lyrics from the cd insert aloud to my dad. Slaves, Hebrews born to to serve To the Pharoah Heed to his every word Live in fear Faith of the unknown one The Deliverer Wait, Something must be done Four hundred years (chorus) So let it be written, so let it be done I'm sent here by the chosen one So let it be written, so let it be done To kill the first-born pharaoh son I'm creeping death Now, let my people go Land of Goshen Go, I will be with thee Bush of fire Blood, running red and strong Down the Nile Plague, darkness three-days long Hail to fire (chorus) Die by my hand I creep across the land Killing first-born man I rule the midnight air The destroyer Born, I shall soon be there Deadly mass I creep the steps and floor Final darkness Blood, lambs blood painted door I shall pass (chorus)
if you enjoy these big budget Golden Age epics from the 50's & 60's, you might want to check out "Spartacus" and "Cleopatra". You'll definitely seen in Spartacus where it influenced later films like Braveheart
Quo Vadis as well. But personally I can't wait to see her watch the 4-hour 1939 "adjusted for inflation most successful film ever made" classic Gone With The Wind. That film is clearly right up her alley.
@@Johnadams20760 well actually I've got bad news for you. The second most successful inflation adjusted film of all time isn't Star Wars anymore. It's been pushed down to fourth spot by the 2 James Cameron films that came out in 2009 and 1997 respectively. Avatar is the second most successful film ever made and Titanic is third.
according to IMDB gone with the wind is highest at 1.6 billion. star wars 1.4 billion sound of musi 1.13 billion ET 1.126 billion titanic 1.075 billion
my mother took me to see this in the theater in the mid 60's - i was about 10 years old - and it seemed bigger than life - i have never forgoten it to this day
For being nearly 70 years old, this movie still feels surprising modern and easily watchable. Not to mention the scale of it is astounding. You really cannot recreate thousands of people with CGI, there’s just no impact.
No miss 0:12 mo apologies easter my grandmother's favorite time. He has risen he has risen indeed. Favorite time of year. O may not like Chuck Heston politics cause guns just kill.. he was a good actor and I love movies that share love life and god. Should watch kingdom of heaven extended. I'm a farmer and I'd donate but also need to fix wifes car but you always get my likes and comment I understand the algorithm. I was threatening microsoft when windows 93 was made building 23 and when hydra was made first communication from one computer to another washington state. I was going to central Washington u. But I helped tou have your channel your cell phone ect worked for machinima and sad day we lost rooster teeth. Look that up
I'm always struck by the line that Moses' wife Zipporah says to Neferteri when they first meet. When Neferteri assures Zipporah that Moses no longer cares for her, Zipporah tells her that they both lost the Moses they once knew--that Neferteri lost him when he was seeking his god, and that she lost Moses when he found his god. Moses had become an epic leader and was no longer an Egyptian prince or a humble shepherd. So I understand Cassie wanting to see more of the human side of Moses. He can no longer show that side of himself. Zipporah accepts the change in Moses but is human enough to acknowledge it.
My mom still laughs about how my sisters and I as kids would dig a giant hole in the backyard and fill it with water to pretend to be the princess's handmaids, then when it got all muddy we'd switch and play like we were in the mud pits and throw in dry grass to make bricks. 😂 Then there were the hours dressed up as Nefretiri and Zephra. This movie was such a huge part of my childhood. Thanks for reacting to it!
I have got to say; I love to watch you experience a movie. This one took the cake. You were like in Sunday School learning it for the first time. Excited, full of questions, sad, yet happy. You are such a blessing. Godspeed
Cassie, I think you have to understand that "Ben Hur" could take more liberties as a story since it was made up. However, "The Ten Commandments" had to follow a more rigid story since the tale of Moses is one of the most famous stories told in every church, every concave, every Sinogague where Christianity and Judaism are practiced. Plus you have to put in many of the actual texts from the bible or you will be demonized and villainized by every religious leader and practitioner of the faith. SO give the Charlton Heston, Cecil B. de Mille, and the scriptwriters some slack.
The Movie Ben Hur is just big different than the book, the book is much more boring and more filled with Ben Hur as a follower of Jesus. Less action, more religion.
Hi Cassie, I`m glad you enjoyed it. In the U.K. this is one of the films shown on alternate Easter`s or on alternate tv channels. Other`s are El Cid 1961, (Ben Hur 1959), Spartacus 1960, Easter Parade 1948, Cleopatra 1963, The Fall of the Roman Empire 1964. All are considered classics & contained Hollywood star line ups, some were advertised as having a cast of thousands.
Another great Charlton Heston film is The Agony and The Ecstasy (1965), in which he plays Renaissance sculptor Michelangelo, with Rex Harrison as Pope Julius II, and their contention over his artwork in the Cistine Chapel.
I was only 6 years old when the Nuns of my Catholic school took me to see this with my class. It was an amazing and awe inspiring movie of which I have never forgotten.
i am exactly 40 years old, whenever i was watching this as a child on TV my jaw would literally drop every time from how awesome the effects where back in the 80s early 90s so i am pretty sure that these effects were mind blowing in the 50s/60s when the movie was made.
One of the greater actors who no one remembers any longer was in this movie, playing Ramses' Commander of the Hosts. His name was Henry Wilcoxon and in his day he was as well known as Charlton Heston. He was a favorite actor of Cecil B. DeMille and appeared in dozens of what were very memorable and great films which are sadly forgotten. He played Marc Anthony in the 1934 version of "Cleopatra," Richard the Lionheart in 1935's "The Crusades." He was in a version of "The Last of the Mohicans," one of Johnny Weismuller's Tarzan movies, "Unconquered" with Gary Cooper, "Samson and Delilah," "The Greatest Show on Earth," which also starred Charlton Heston...as did "The War Lord," another great movie. He played "the bishop" in the comedy "Caddyshack," and in "Mrs. Miniver," that won 10 Oscars. You're showing so many great movies, many of which, sadly, have been forgotten. I remember your reviews of "Casablanca," and "It's a Wonderful Life." I remember chuckling when you were unsure about black and white movies before you watched "Casablanca," but were blown away by that film. You're doing a great service to the world of film, showing and educating people on the past wonders of the movie industry. Keep it up. :)
Another great reaction. You really put yourself out there emotionally with the films you watch, which is admirable. Another great Easter epic is "The Robe" with Richard Burton. He plays the centurion who nailed Jesus to the cross and wins Jesus's robe in a game of chance with other Roman soldiers, but is ultimately plagued with guilt for what he did, and tries to redeem himself.
I was just about to suggest The Robe and was looking to see if anyone else had mentioned it. It's not as famous or significant cinematically as Ben-Hur and The Ten Commandments, but it's a good one. (I personally enjoy it more than The Ten Commandments.)
I'm an atheist and I've always loved this movie. It's an amazing example of an old Hollywood spectacle; something DeMille was so great at. Despite its obvious flaws: the cheesy dialogue, the hamfisted acting, the overly serious tone, it still remains a hugely entertaining popcorn epic from long ago. I also think the effects still hold up very well, even today.
the parting of the sea looked better than the pillar of fire because it was a practical effect...they made a trench and had tons of water pour into it then played it in reverse...it was a huge effect and this was an epic...so much went into making it! thanks so much for watching it and Happy Easter!
I don't know if they still have it, but decades ago when my family visited Universal Studios park in California, the tram visitors rode around on for the tour stone point went through a small parting Red Sea. I think there were walls that rose on both sides of the roadway, while pumps pumped the water out. The water kept pouring over the tops of the walls into gutters on the sides of the path, mostly concealing the walls and making it look like the water had been parted.
Almost all the effects, except the obvious ones like the Red Sea parting and the column of fire, are practical effects, done on camera and for real. As you said, the technology of the times limited what they could do, and how well they could do it. And to add to the problems already facing the production company, Director Cecil B. DeMille suffered a heart attack in the middle of filming, and his wife had to take over for a week or two until he recovered. The eleven Oscars the film won may have eased DeMille's return to health.
It was Ben-Hur that won eleven Oscars. This film won only one Oscar, believe it or not. It was nominated for seven and was the highest grossing film of 1956, though, which I'm sure pleased DeMille.
Actually the parting of the Red Sea was done practically too. They just reversed the film. So it looked like instead of the water pouring in it was separating the water out.
@@jkhristian9603 I don't think you understand what a practical effect is. Manipulating the film is a special effect. The actors weren't walking between walls of water.
There are several things left out of this. Like when Moses was a child in the reed basket and was found by pharoes daughter she went looking for someone to raise him that had lost a baby and Moses mother got to be that person. So she got to have some influence in his life. And they left out that from what I saw. When God told Moses he would not be allowed into the Promised land and he was allowed to go up to a certain spot and see the Promised land, that is where he died.
In addition, we early on get a glimpse of Tharbis, the Ethiopian princess, whom the Bible assures us was married to Moses. 🤯 Disappointingly, white audiences in 1950s America were not quite ready to accept such a thing on screen, even (perhaps ESPECIALLY) of a hero of the stature of Moses, and even were it for no better reason than to ensure the alliance with her country. 🤨 😕
I always thought (even watching this movie as a kid) how comically it was presented when any problem presented itself, Dathan would suggest the same thing over and over - that they all go back to Egypt and everyone was like, "Yeah, that makes sense. Good idea..." despite the lives of bondage and horror they had left and the miracles they had seen up close.
God may had inspired Cecile B DeMille But after reading & rereading the Exodus in many Translations throughout study, it REALLY comes alive. The only thing I love about that film is Yul Brenner as Pharaoh. He commands the screen. And was a GANGSTER !!!
Cecil B. DeMille, the Director of this movie made a silent version of The Ten Commandments which was released in 1923. He was a very religious man and he made it his priority to make the 1956 version of this movie. He died a few years after the movie was released.
Love "The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad(1958)". There are so many great older movies that us "older folks" grew up watching. Another one like Sinbad is " Jason and the Argonauts". Special effects by the great Ray Harryhausen. I think the actors of today can't act very well because they totally rely on CGI. Just my opinion. Another good black & white movies are ""Ball of Fire" & " Mr Blandings builds his dream house". I could go on & mention more. But l'll shut up now.
This movie was epic!! Given the years it was done. And charlton is a gem if an actor. I got starstruck with his presence and delivery of dialogues and checked out his other movies!!!!
I'm an atheist but even I can enjoy these old epics from the 1950s and 1960s, such as this and Ben Hurr. The special effects must have blown peoples' minds back in the day.
The Pharoah was played by Yul Brynner. He starred in one of the greatest classics of all time, The King and I. You'd like it. The Egyptians had many gods.
“The Ten Commandments” is a great Easter movie because the story of Moses foreshadows the story of Christ. In particular, the Passover event prefigures Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. During the Passover, the blood of lambs protects the Israelites from the angel of death. Similarly, the blood of Christ protects believers from the eternal death caused by sin. This connection between Passover and Christ’s sacrifice is made clear in the last supper. The last supper was a meal celebrating Passover, and Jesus transformed this meal into a metaphor for His own upcoming sacrificial death by establishing the ordinance of communion (i.e., the Lord’s Supper). Besides this, the Passover lambs foreshadow the lambs used in the Jewish sacrificial system, which, in turn, foretell Christ, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
Going to a Christian Sader Dinner was truly eye opening as to the details of that last supper. Tying it together with the centuries old Passover celebration is quite staggering 1500 years later.
DHR K., the reason this movie is better for this time of year than Ben Hur is that The Ten Commandments is directly the story of Passover, from the book of Exodus. It’s been my observation that it is broadcast each year just before Passover. Easter is the same time of year as Passover and has a relationship to Passover, but it is the story of Passover.
Some 17 years later, Charlton Heston (Moses) and Edward G. Robinson (Dathan) play roommates in the 1973 futuristic dystopian film "Soylent Green". In takes place in 2022, in our world that is all but destroyed by pollution. It's worth a watch.
A movie every should watch at least once in their life. I'm privileged to say that I have watched it more than once. It just stays with you forever. The story, the performances, the soundtrack. It's perfect. It's an A+.
@@TheRealMediaMan Of course it's not a "privilege" as it would be a century ago, really rare to be able to find and watch a film of any quality. He's saying HE IS PRIVILEGED to have seen it multiple times and really enjoy it each time. (asshole.)
So glad you reacted to this classic! I grew up watching it on VHS. 😊 One thing I really miss in this adaptation is the full story of the 10th plague, death of the firstborn. In the Bible, neither Pharaoh nor his wife came up with the idea to kill all the firstborn; it was always God. God told the Hebrews what was coming, and commanded them to bring a 1 year old lamb, 1 for every household, to be sacrificed. The lamb was (quickly and humanely) killed, the blood collected, and brought back to each home where it was painted onto the door posts and lintel of each doorway. When the Angel of Death saw the blood, it would "pass over" that house and leave everyone inside it unharmed - hence the name for the holiday commemorating the event, Passover. I'm not sure whether you already know this, Cassie, but for the sake of others, I'd like to point out the many connections between Passover and Easter. See, God warned that judgment was coming, and anyone who believed God could have obeyed Him and painted the lamb's blood on their doorway, Hebrew and Egyptian alike. Just like in Jesus' time on earth, He came to the Jews first, but salvation isn't just for one people; it's available to all. There were more than just Jews who escaped Egypt on that first Passover, and there will be people from every tribe, tongue, and nation in heaven. God commanded the people to bring a 1 year old lamb as a sacrifice, without blemish (healthy and whole, not sick or injured), because these lambs symbolized THE Lamb of God who was to come, who would be the perfect, holy sacrifice. Lambs were offered because they pointed to someone pure, innocent, and humble - a *willing* sacrifice - Jesus. When Jesus was crucified, ON the Passover: "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth." Isaiah 53:7 Jesus, fully God and fully man, pure, holy, and sinless, yet able to die because He took on human flesh, was THE one and only PERFECT sacrifice for our sins. He willingly took it upon Himself to bear our sins to the cross, and suffer and die the awful death we all deserve for sinning against God. Jesus did this so that if we'll just believe in Him, put our faith and trust in Him and what He did for us on the cross, we can be free from sin, guilt, and death. Just like lambs were temporary substitutes for sin, dying in our place when WE are the ones who deserve death, He was our Substitute, taking our place on the cross, and His blood *permanently* washes away our sins. Because Jesus took the punishment for my sins upon Himself, I can go free. His death brings me life. And just like the Hebrews inside those homes on the first Passover, they didn't deserve life any more than the Egyptians did, but they were COVERED BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB. None of us deserve life after all the sins we've committed, but in God's great mercy, He has given us a way to be free, and one day, live with Him for eternity. This is the most important thing about Passover that I wish they hadn't skipped in the movie - it always pointed to the coming Messiah, the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)
Cassie, loved your reaction. You mentioned a few times things that didn't jive between this and The Prince Of Egypt. It's important to remember that both were interpretations by artistic individuals who were shooting for emotional responses and not necessarily historical accuracy. I encourage you to use these movies to inspire you to read and know the account in Exodus yourself. Then you can use these movies to give some passion to the words.
No. I used the word "historical" intentionally and accurately. I am not religious by nature and do not care much for the religious agenda of the day that wishes to deny the historical value of the Bible. I consider all the evidence and the Bible's historical value passes more tests than Josephus's writings or other works treated as historical documents. To discount the overwhelming evidence of its historical nature is to be in a place of blind faith.
@@Scott-ec4cs I didn't mention Josephus. And I didn't deny the historical value of the Bible; just pointing out that it is not and was never intended to be a book of history. It's not a "religious agenda," for God's sake. You cannot take scripture and say "this is how it happened." The gospels don't agree with each other in countless crucial ways, and the Pentateuch was written unknown centuries before. Even the ancient Jews understood that many of the stories in the Torah were metaphorical, not literal. Your reply is an example of blind faith, not the reverse. For example, you state that the Bible passes more tests for historical value than contemporary historical writings. What on earth is your standard of comparison if you discount contemporary historical sources? That's absurd beyond belief.
@@philliplozano7587 First of all, my sincere apologies if I have sounded like I was attacking you. My intent was merely to stand by statement. I have spent decades looking into this question and I have come to the conclusion that the bible is as historically accurate as anything that exists in the world today. No, you did not bring up Joseph's. I did for comparison purposes. His writings are treated as history, however the Bible has much more claim to be treated as history according to the criteria used for Josephus. Such criteria includes how long after the event was it written. Josephus is considered history, the Bible is not, yet Josephus wrote much later about his events than most biblical writers. Another criteria in determining historical accuracy is seeing how many 3rd party unbiased sources back up your account. Josephus, a couple. The bible, many. It goes on. What I have discovered is that the people who want the Bible not treated as a historically document have come to that conclusion through personal desires and not evidence. I.E. religion not science. I feel horribly if you feel personally assaulted by my response. It was not by design. Many people have come to their own conclusions. I merely wish to say that the conclusion I have come to as a man of science and after all of my study and research means that it is not correct for me to change my initial comment from "historically accurate" to "biblically accurate". I never meant to attack you personally.
@@Scott-ec4cs A man of *science*? What scientific sources do you have that corroborate the story of Exodus as told in the Bible? Zero. Absolutely none. That doesn't mean Moses did not exist, but there is also zero proof that he existed, either, other than as an article of faith, an unfalsifiable proposition. People who actually research and study history as a profession - as I did before retiring - do not accept the Bible as a historical authority other than a document of religious belief and a subject woefully misunderstood by modern Bible liberalists.
William Wyler directed Ben Hur. He was a great director known for directing actors. This movie was directed by Cecil b Demille, who was known for spectacles. Other Wyler movies include Wuthering Hights with Olivier, The Best Years of Our Lives about soldiers returning from WWII and The Big Country a Western that had great acting.
Heston also plays John the Baptist in “The Greatest Story Ever Told,” another religious epic about the life of Jesus. Max von Sydow did a great job as Jesus as well. Robert Powell also played Jesus in the mini-series “Jesus of Nazareth,” which in my opinion is the best film about the life of Christ (just fyi in case someone may be interested in checking one of those out). 😎
I agree about *Jesus of Nazareth* (1977), but I'd forgotten that Charlton Heston was in *The Greatest Story Ever Told* (1965), which was my dad's favorite Jesus movie -- so much so that he once made me watch it even though *The Ten Commandments* was airing at the same time on a different channel. I found *Greatest Story* tedious because it seemed to me to concentrate on creating images that resembled a series of religious paintings at the expense of the drama inherent in the Biblical narrative, but it actually has one of the most incredible all-star casts ever assembled. Even many of the bit players and extras are legendary stars. *Jesus of Nazareth* also has an incredible cast, however, and wrings far more human drama out of the material.
Thank you so much for recording these reaction videos of one of my all-time favourite films. I watched this epic many times as a child, and we would watch it in primary school as an end-of-term treat before the Easter holidays (I'm Catholic and so attended Catholic primary and secondary schools here in the UK). I still watch it once a year, and my little boy loves it too. But seeing your reaction to it made me appreciate it even more. I love all your content, but this video is especially appreciated. God bless you 🙏🏽❤🔥💪🏽
If you saw the Mel Brooks movie "History of the World Part One", there's a scene which uses the set they built for the Red Sea crossing. Same machine. I think it was the last time it was used. It was a tourist attraction for the studio tours.
Remember if it wasn’t for films like this we wouldn’t have the special effects we have in movies today. These filmmakers were pioneers and as each decade past advances were made. We have the spectacular movies today because of those who came before.
And so many iconic lines... Rameses" His god IS god"..."What now follows is work for the butcher, not for the Pharaoh"...I translated the german lines in english, sorry. But thats great lines..."Those who dont want by his commandments..." raises hands "Shall DIE by them!" throws the plates...
I always found it odd that after seeing the sea split, waiting a few days at the base of the mountain was enough for them to make a golden calf idol to worship. So many people in adulthood are just children. As a child you wonder why adults go wild, and you hope they don't come after you.
It's not about being children at heart. It's comparable to a revolt or a typical mob; the crowds usually don't use logic and can be quite easily influenced. That's why they made the idol.
I’ve noticed to this very day, people are thoughtful and kind as long as things are working out in their favor. When the chips are down is when you really find out what someone’s about.
DeMille made a silent version of this in 1923. {Ben Hur had also been a silent movie). Some of the stagy acting is a leftover from the silent era. Edward G Robinson usually played villains in gangster movies, so he was perfect for Dathan.
Edward G Robinson was great with Bogart in 'Key Largo' (1948) and plays a strangely likeable non-gangster in 'Scarlet Street'(1945). (His appearance in a frilly apron is something I sorta wish I could forget.)
"I go to serve Pharaoh, see? Tell Rameses I'm coming back to my house, see? That rabble may follow Moses into the desert today, nyeahh, but...I, Dathan, will lead them back to Egypt, see? And the brick pits, nyeahh! Nyeahh! Nyeahh!" 🤭
One thing, you mention no cgi, green screen etc but one thing they did use very effectively were mat paintings - huge paintings of the backgrounds that were very convincing!
A classic movie recommendation for you is "The Miracle of our Lady of Fatima" which was based on a true story, I think you will enjoy that movie more than the two you watched.
I love your sound track for your channel. I think you have a gentleness in your personality that comes through so easily in your commentary and adds a powerful depth to your review and comments. I greatly look forward to watching more with you. Thank you 😊
Moses had to rewrite the commandments because he broke them from his anger, it's very interesting to see that it was Ramses who chose the last plague, his son would have lived if he hadn't chose as such
This past year I learned the significance of the phrase milk and honey at least to me. I keep bees and I learned that bees just don’t collect nectar from any plant, they have a taste tester in the hive and she does not approve all nectar only the best tasting nectar gets collected. So if there’s plenty of honey than the highest quality of plants are plentiful
I love how half way through the movie I forgot Charlton Heston was even playing Moses, I was so convinced it was just Moses. I was so worried this film would bore me with it being close to 4 hours but it was so good I was just so taken in by the beauty of it, I got through the whole film in one day.
Mel Brooks ruined the idea of Moses with the plates. Every time I watch this I can't help but think of Mel Brooks as Moses, coming down from the mountain with three plates, announcing "God has given us fifteen, (drop one plate, which shatters) Ten, TEN commandments!"
@@BobBlumenfeld Oops! I should have used tablets instead maybe. I can't think of the Last Supper either any more without having the Mel Brooks version pop into my head.😀
Note the mention of the Ark of the Covenant. A quick story is during the complicated filming of the exodus, the director, Cecil B. DeMille had three cameras set up strategically. After the long scene, he called out to the cameramen. One said he missed the shot, the second reported the camera has broken down and the third rubbed salt in the wound by saying, "Ready when you are, C.B."
The actor who plays Dathan is Edward G. Robinson, who became famous in gangster films of the 1930s and every time I see him here I can't help picturing him going "Yeah! Yeah! Deliverer! See!"
I'm glad you enjoyed this one. It's always been one of my favorite DeMille films. I've always enjoyed his distinctively Hollywood style. I highly recommend another of his epics, The Greatest Show on Earth. Charlton Heston, James Stewart, and Betty Hutton head a cast of hundreds of real-life Barnum & Bailey performers.
Hey Cassie, great reaction and commentary. The technology was great for its time. You also have to remember movies like the Wizard of Oz from 1939 had some great technology for that year. When you are so used to the fast pace of today's action movies you would be disappointed with the Ten Commandments. This is why most of the generations from the 80s up to today would find this movie not only too long but probably boring. It is more appealing to a faith-based audience mainly because of the sources the movie was based on. I do applaud you though for taking on this movie. You will probably be the only person ever reacting to it on RU-vid which puts you a step higher than others. I hope you will continue to do more movies from the past decades. So many actors and actresses from those days are too soon forgotten as the year's pass. Take care and be well.