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Post by moviemouth on Apr 9, 2021 0:22:46 GMT
Just watched this for the first time. Overall it is a good movie, but the last 20 minutes is poorly done and has to be taken as metaphor within the movie. The rest of the movie can be seen as literal, but if you take the final 20 minutes as literal it doesn't work at all. It just feels extremely silly. The movie is a bit preachy during certain scenes and the pre-story opening with DeMille is bothersome if you aren't a religious person.
The movie is awe-inspiring from a technical standpoint though and is remarkably well-paced for being nearly 4 hours long. The vfx are mostly impressive for the time, though the fire stuff is sort of laughable. The parting of the Red Sea is a cool scene and looks terrific. The cinematography and art direction are excellent too. The score is good, but not great and mostly just repeats the same epic theme over and over.
Charleton Heston gives a commanding performance, which is especially epic during the scenes where he is speaking for God. Anne Baxter is very good too and extremely sexy in the role. At third and fourth place in terms of acting are Yul Brynner and Edward G. Robinson.
7/10
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Post by politicidal on Apr 9, 2021 0:29:32 GMT
9/10. It has its silly moments but it's the epic cinematic kind of silliness that DeMille could pull off.
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Post by wmcclain on Apr 9, 2021 0:45:29 GMT
The Ten Commandments (1956), directed by Cecil B. DeMille Every now and then I say to my wife "About time to watch The Ten Commandments again, eh?" She always responds by doing a breathy, spot-on Anne Baxter imitation: "Oh, Moses, Moses!" Then we watch something else. No more stalling: the Blu-ray is gorgeous, one of the finest I have seen. Beautiful color. Watching DeMille requires some mental adjustment: it's like a children's church pageant blown out to a tremendous, cast-of-thousands scale. (According to the commentary track, he was going for a retro-epic look, evoking the pageants of his youth). Although I can be moved by Bible films (see David and Bathsheba (1951) and Ben Hur (1959)) this one is just too stiff and pompous to be more than spectacle. But as such there is nothing like it. I don't know how many of the subplots are mined from the midrash or other ancient texts. Much as I like Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner gives a blazing performance, one of the few actors who looks like he belongs there. It makes me like his character more: Rameses is born to be pharaoh and is obviously built for the job. The pesky Hebrews are messing up his life, as is troublemaker Moses (both as prince and prophet), and his wife turns out to be a real piece of work. You can't help but feel his grief for the death of his son. He's also the ancient rationalist, explaining away the plagues, and the skeptic saying "You priests made the gods." Brynner never worked out or dieted, final proof that life is unfair. I never noticed how much lascivious sexuality is used here as a mark of wickedness. Even though obviously meant to be family-friendly, they slip in some adult innuendo: Every Bible movie has dancing girls. It takes a while to accept Edward G. Robinson and Vincent Price in ancient costumes. I notice the blue screen scenes more now than I used to. The Angel of Death during the first Passover is quite eerie, and the voice of God on the mountain awfully dull. Elmer Bernstein score. The commentary track by a film historian gives extensive detail on who and what is on the screen. Lots of stories. Audrey Hepburn was considered for the princess, but they thought those diaphanous robes would not hang well on such a thin frame. Anne Baxter is more of a full-figured gal. "Moses, Moses": everyone says it, even the Voice from the burning bush.
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Post by moviemouth on Apr 9, 2021 0:54:46 GMT
The Ten Commandments (1956), directed by Cecil B. DeMille Watching DeMille requires some mental adjustment: it's like a children's church pageant blown out to a tremendous, cast-of-thousands scale. (According to the commentary track, he was going for a retro-epic look, evoking the pageants of his youth). Although I can be moved by Bible films (see David and Bathsheba (1951) and Ben Hur (1959)) this one is just too stiff and pompous to be more than spectacle. But as such there is nothing like it. I don't know how many of the subplots are mined from the midrash or other ancient texts. That is part of what holds the movie back. It doesn't hit on much of an emotional level in the way Ben-Hur does. William Wyler is also a much better director than Demille imo. Ben-Hur is a masterpiece, while the Ten Commandments is just a good movie.
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Post by vegalyra on Apr 9, 2021 1:37:13 GMT
One of my favorite films of all time. The set designs and the visual effects are bar none some of the most impressive ever done up to that time and they still mostly hold up. One of my favorites is the angel of death descending near the moon like bony skeletal fingers. The burning bush is also nicely done as is the menacing Mount Sinai with the smoke and red glow.
Yul Brynner takes the best acting role for the film, he’s a multi dimensional character and I actually do have quite some sympathy for him. He’s a powerhouse as well, physically he is very imposing. Remarkable for someone who reportedly never really worked out or dieted. His father doesn’t have much respect for him, his wife doesn’t either and never seems to have really loved him and he is constantly tormented by the Hebrews, Moses in particular. In my opinion, Brynner is Pharaoh. When I read Exodus that’s who I picture, or anything about Rameses (secular works included).
Charlton Heston plays his part perfectly, although it is a bit stiff in the 2nd Act (guess that’s to be expected). Not my favorite role of his but he does an amazing job and I can’t really think of a contemporary actor that would have done a better job. I think Heston was in his element in Ben Hur but he is fine as Moses.
The rest of the cast does a fine job, including Baxter, Robinson and Price.
I do love DeMilles vision of Egypt though, the sets really do stick with me. It’s very impressive.
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Post by moviemouth on Apr 9, 2021 1:46:14 GMT
One of my favorite films of all time. The set designs and the visual effects are bar none some of the most impressive ever done up to that time and they still mostly hold up. One of my favorites is the angel of death descending near the moon like bony skeletal fingers. The burning bush is also nicely done as is the menacing Mount Sinai with the smoke and red glow. Yul Brynner takes the best acting role for the film, he’s a multi dimensional character and I actually do have quite some sympathy for him. He’s a powerhouse as well, physically he is very imposing. Remarkable for someone who reportedly never really worked out or dieted. His father doesn’t have much respect for him, his wife doesn’t either and never seems to have really loved him and he is constantly tormented by the Hebrews, Moses in particular. In my opinion, Brynner is Pharaoh. When I read Exodus that’s who I picture, or anything about Rameses (secular works included). Charlton Heston plays his part perfectly, although it is a bit stiff in the 2nd Act (guess that’s to be expected). Not my favorite role of his but he does an amazing job and I can’t really think of a contemporary actor that would have done a better job. I think Heston was in his element in Ben Hur but he is fine as Moses. The rest of the cast does a fine job, including Baxter, Robinson and Price. I do love DeMilles vision of Egypt though, the sets really do stick with me. It’s very impressive. I didn't find the writing of Rameses to be all that multi-dimensional, though Brynner brings more to it than is written. His wife doesn't love him, because she was basically forced to marry him and the person she loved was banished. He is the ruler of slaves and is completely indifferent about it. His father doesn't seem to care for him and he doesn't really seem to like his father either. His father probably dislikes him because he is an even worse person than his father is. The only part I felt bad for him is when his son dies. He knew his wife didn't love him from the start, so why would I feel sympathy for him later? Anne Baxter plays the most interesting character and she plays the character very well, adding a much needed hint of campiness to the ensemble. She chews scenery all over the place.
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Post by bravomailer on Apr 9, 2021 2:40:08 GMT
The Ten Commandments (1956), directed by Cecil B. DeMille It's like a children's church pageant blown out to a tremendous, cast-of-thousands scale. This one is just too stiff and pompous to be more than spectacle. That's my view. Great sets, lighting, costumes, and effects, but the acting and dialog are Osiris/Yahweh-awful.
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Post by Feologild Oakes on Apr 9, 2021 9:31:14 GMT
Its a good movie
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Post by TheOriginalPinky on Apr 9, 2021 18:13:30 GMT
The Ten Commandments (1956), directed by Cecil B. DeMille Every now and then I say to my wife "About time to watch The Ten Commandments again, eh?" She always responds by doing a breathy, spot-on Anne Baxter imitation: "Oh, Moses, Moses!" Then we watch something else. No more stalling: the Blu-ray is gorgeous, one of the finest I have seen. Beautiful color. Watching DeMille requires some mental adjustment: it's like a children's church pageant blown out to a tremendous, cast-of-thousands scale. (According to the commentary track, he was going for a retro-epic look, evoking the pageants of his youth). Although I can be moved by Bible films (see David and Bathsheba (1951) and Ben Hur (1959)) this one is just too stiff and pompous to be more than spectacle. But as such there is nothing like it. I don't know how many of the subplots are mined from the midrash or other ancient texts. Much as I like Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner gives a blazing performance, one of the few actors who looks like he belongs there. It makes me like his character more: Rameses is born to be pharaoh and is obviously built for the job. The pesky Hebrews are messing up his life, as is troublemaker Moses (both as prince and prophet), and his wife turns out to be a real piece of work. You can't help but feel his grief for the death of his son. He's also the ancient rationalist, explaining away the plagues, and the skeptic saying "You priests made the gods." Brynner never worked out or dieted, final proof that life is unfair. I never noticed how much lascivious sexuality is used here as a mark of wickedness. Even though obviously meant to be family-friendly, they slip in some adult innuendo: Every Bible movie has dancing girls. It takes a while to accept Edward G. Robinson and Vincent Price in ancient costumes. I notice the blue screen scenes more now than I used to. The Angel of Death during the first Passover is quite eerie, and the voice of God on the mountain awfully dull. Elmer Bernstein score. The commentary track by a film historian gives extensive detail on who and what is on the screen. Lots of stories. Audrey Hepburn was considered for the princess, but they thought those diaphanous robes would not hang well on such a thin frame. Anne Baxter is more of a full-figured gal. "Moses, Moses": everyone says it, even the Voice from the burning bush. Oh yes! EVERYone says it! Whenever I hear "The Ten Commandments", that's the first thing that comes into my head!!! Still, I love watching this movie!
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Post by teleadm on Apr 9, 2021 19:59:47 GMT
Watched it recently too, it must be a difficult task to keep balance between all beliefs, to please as many as possible within the same religion. A great event of movie, more character driven than I remembered.
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Post by TheGoodMan19 on Apr 9, 2021 20:17:06 GMT
The Ten Commandments (1956), directed by Cecil B. DeMille Every now and then I say to my wife "About time to watch The Ten Commandments again, eh?" She always responds by doing a breathy, spot-on Anne Baxter imitation: "Oh, Moses, Moses!" Then we watch something else. No more stalling: the Blu-ray is gorgeous, one of the finest I have seen. Beautiful color. Watching DeMille requires some mental adjustment: it's like a children's church pageant blown out to a tremendous, cast-of-thousands scale. (According to the commentary track, he was going for a retro-epic look, evoking the pageants of his youth). Although I can be moved by Bible films (see David and Bathsheba (1951) and Ben Hur (1959)) this one is just too stiff and pompous to be more than spectacle. But as such there is nothing like it. I don't know how many of the subplots are mined from the midrash or other ancient texts. Much as I like Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner gives a blazing performance, one of the few actors who looks like he belongs there. It makes me like his character more: Rameses is born to be pharaoh and is obviously built for the job. The pesky Hebrews are messing up his life, as is troublemaker Moses (both as prince and prophet), and his wife turns out to be a real piece of work. You can't help but feel his grief for the death of his son. He's also the ancient rationalist, explaining away the plagues, and the skeptic saying "You priests made the gods." Brynner never worked out or dieted, final proof that life is unfair. I never noticed how much lascivious sexuality is used here as a mark of wickedness. Even though obviously meant to be family-friendly, they slip in some adult innuendo: Every Bible movie has dancing girls. It takes a while to accept Edward G. Robinson and Vincent Price in ancient costumes. I notice the blue screen scenes more now than I used to. The Angel of Death during the first Passover is quite eerie, and the voice of God on the mountain awfully dull. Elmer Bernstein score. The commentary track by a film historian gives extensive detail on who and what is on the screen. Lots of stories. Audrey Hepburn was considered for the princess, but they thought those diaphanous robes would not hang well on such a thin frame. Anne Baxter is more of a full-figured gal. "Moses, Moses": everyone says it, even the Voice from the burning bush. Oh yes! EVERYone says it! Whenever I hear "The Ten Commandments", that's the first thing that comes into my head!!! Still, I love watching this movie! I was saying the same thing in my best Heston voice "Damn, my wife yelling "Moses", Joshua yelling "Moses", God yelling Moses". I guy can't even squat behind a (non-burning) bush without someone yelling for me! Let my people go, how about letting ME alone for five minutes?'
Make a good drinking game, a shot every time someone says "Moses"
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Post by Vits on Apr 9, 2021 20:51:58 GMT
6/10
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Post by bravomailer on Apr 9, 2021 21:45:37 GMT
Watched it recently too, it must be a difficult task to keep balance between all beliefs, to please as many as possible within the same religion.
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