Review of The Ten Commandments (1956) by Gregg P — 17 Sep 2009

This is a true epic in every sense from the subject matter to its running time of 3 hours and 40 minutes. While this is not flawless film it does have many strengths.

As Moses Charlton Heston is very effective, although his range may be somewhat limited as an actor this is type of role in which he excelled. Probably the most effective is Yul Brynner as the Pharaoh Rameses. The rest of the allstar cast is largely effective even in those instances where some might question the casting choices. Perhaps most notable and playing against type are Edward G. Robinson, Vincent Price and John Carradine, but there are many other major hollywood stars of the era.

Also of note are the special effects, for the era in which this was made they were spectacular, while some of these may look dated now, the parting of the Red Sea remains impressive and powerful.

Director Demille may have been a tyrant and his pictures may not have been the most critically acclaimed but he was a hollywood icon and his epics were certainly very impressive in their grandeur.

I believe that whether or not you are religious, or for that matter whatever religion you may espouse, you can still find this impressive storytelling from Hollywood's Golden Age.