The Ten Commandments (50th Anniversary Collection)
|
List Price: Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
(Click here)
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of The Ten Commandments (50th Anniversary Collection)
Movie Review: "The greatest adventure story ever put between the covers of a book!"
Summary: 5 Stars
This DVD is a true collectors delight - not only is Cecil B. De Mille's last great epic presented in its original widescreen format alongside De Mille's original and very different silent version, but alongside an impressive new documentary, the legendary ten-minute trailer has been included for good measure.
Sitting in his office, with the aid of a wicker basket, a Van Dyke portrait, two stone tablets and a Bible he occasionally bashes, De Mille pitches "the greatest adventure story ever put between the covers of a book!" He solemnly assures us that Heston was cast for his resemblance to Michelangelo's statue of Moses and to prove it, he even shows us a photograph of the actor standing next to it (they look nothing alike!). One of McCarthy's staunchest Hollywood allies in the fifties anti-communist witch-hunts, he goes on to draw none-too-subtle comparisons between the tyranny of Pharaoh and the un-named forces of dictatorship that threaten us 'even to this very day', then promptly switches to plugging the sex and spectacle with the kind of wanton abandon that only the highest-minded puritans can muster; "Moses is one of the world's greatest human beings - and human he was to the point of SIN! And holy to the point of seeing God." Ever the showman, he even pops out from behind the curtains just before the film itself starts to give us the same spiel in case we missed the point and inform us that "The picture runs three hours and thirty-nine minutes; there will be an intermission."
After such a relentless barrage of hyperbole, disappointment would seem inevitable, but unlike most of De Mille's films, The Ten Commandments stands up remarkably well. Filling in the gaps in the Bible's version of events with lust, treachery and other soap opera staples, it is the complete antithesis of the `think man's epics' that followed in the Sixties. The dialogue is declamatory, the style overtly theatrical, often recoursing to striking tableaux reminiscent of the Biblical pageants of Victorian era. The performances are painted in broad strokes, with Anne Baxter emoting something rotten and Heston, his hair getting whiter every time he has a chin-wag with God, a square-jawed and solemn All-American Deliverer. Even John P. Fulton's Oscar-winning special effects show their age as well as their matte lines. It would be almost absurdly easy to tear it to pieces were it not for the fact that De Mille's implicit belief in what he put on the screen enables him to carry it off with considerable panache. This is an audience picture on a grand scale, and great fun too.
The colour is almost as superb as the original VistaVision Technicolor, the print perfect apart from some slight occasional negative damage in the top right-hand corner of the frame. More hokum than holy it may be, but with a terrific cast and, even now, a genuine sense of wonder to its set-pieces, The Ten Commandments delivers nearly four hours of great entertainment. And the parting of the Red Sea is still one of the great movie moments, matte lines or not. Enjoy!
Movie Review: Gets me every time
Summary: 5 Stars
"So let it be written, so let it be done," said Yul Brynner in this classic movie of all time. I've seen it many times during my life so far and I thought it would be expedient to own it so I bought it. Yes, it's true that the acting is from a bygone time, but nevertheless the plot and the message is for all time. Here, we see good -vs- evil, and good prevails. This movie is by far not even close to being prosaic. The movies of today, most of them anyway, do not even come close to the excellence of "The Ten Commandments", namely because the laws of OUR land come from these commandments. Get your popcorn ready and immerse yourself in this most wonderful story of all time. Charlton Heston does a great job in his emphatic acting. Think about the "between the lines" message about evil in this show. You will soon realize that the enslavement of the Hebrews was metaphorical for wrongdoing, which in fact translates to every era. When it comes to Biblical principles, then it is discerned spiritually... Enjoy the show for sure...The Charlton Heston Presents The Bible: Jesus of NazarethThe Den of Iniquity Movie Review: The Ten Commandments 50th Anniversary Collection is a "Classic"!
Summary: 5 Stars
The Ten Commandments (50th Anniversary Collection) featuring Charlton Heston, as Moses, is a "classic"! The silent version of the movie included in this anniversary package is also very good. We are very pleased to own this collection!
If people would live the Ten Commandments, there would be stronger families and communities and less crime, bloodshed, strife, poverty, and broken homes.
Movie Review: A timeless biblical epic
Summary: 5 Stars
The Ten Commandments is directed by Cecil B. DeMille. The film stars Charlton Heston, and the co-stars include Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter, Edward G. Robinson, Yvonne De Carlo, Debra Paget, John Derek, Cedric Hardwicke, Nina Foch, Martha Scott, Judith Anderson, Vincent Price, John Carradine, Douglass Dumbrille, Olive Deering, and Mike Connors.
The Ten Commandments follows the life of Moses (Heston,) who was separated from his birth parents, and discovered by Egyptians - where he grows up and is raised as one of the Pharaoh's own. He becomes a well-respected leader in Egypt - so much so, that the Pharaoh even prefers him over his own son as a potential successor to the throne. But everything changes when he discovers the truth of his origin. Deciding his place is with his enslaved people, he is eventually banished - but an encounter with God turns him into a prophet. It is through this he discovers the secret of his existence - he is the "chosen one" of legend, the one whose destiny it is to free the Hebrews from bondage.
In the age of biblical epics, the Ten Commandments stands out above all the rest. Well-filmed with ahead-of-their-time special effects and elaborate sets, it's easily a superior product to DeMille's earlier version of the story. The "cast of thousands" that DeMille compiled for this film is multi-talented, and their portrayal of these classic biblical characters is nothing short of excellent. Music for the film was composed by the legendary Elmer Bernstein, and as usual, his contributions don't fail to please. Despite the film's lengthy run time (nearly four hours) and some scenes that drag on, it's a masterpiece of a film. Of all the versions of the Ten Commandments ever put on film, DeMille's 1956 version is by far the best.
The story of Moses, naturally, works great in this film. DeMille set out to create a film that told the story of this biblical legend, and all the various periods of his life - from loyal servant to the throne in Egypt, to being a slave amongst his people, to becoming a high and mighty prophet of God. It's a great story, and it's not surprising that a number of directors have tried to film their own takes on the classic legend. But DeMille's epic telling of the tale stands in a class all its own. He was wise to drop the "modern day" half of the twenties film, and focus exclusively on Moses this time around.
This is a well-filmed movie. The sets capture the setting of Ancient Egypt and its surroundings brilliantly. Temple interiors are elaborately decorated, and the exteriors and surroundings are filled with pyramids, obelisks, statues, and assorted "of the period" d?cor that suits the era. Each scene is well-shot and makes the best use of all available resources. The special effects obviously look a little dated half a century later, but they still entertain.
As for the man who would play Moses, Charlton Heston is well chosen for the role. Through all the major events of the life Moses leads, Heston fits the role perfectly. Whether it's commanding respect as a loyal servant to Egypt, sympathizing and suffering alongside his people in bondage, or serving as God's messenger from above, he steals the show. As an interesting bit of trivia, Heston also provided the voice of God himself (uncredited.)
The supporting cast is equally impressive. Yul Brynner gives a great performance as Rameses, Moses' adoptive brother and opponent for the throne of Egypt. Vengeful and godless, this is one of the best on-screen manifestations of Rameses ever put on film. Also of interest and putting on good performances are a pre-Munsters Yvonne De Carlo as Moses' love interest following his exile, and even the horror legend Vincent Price as Egypt's master builder. Everyone here is well-chosen for their role and the portrayals are all great.
The music for the Ten Commandments was provided by a legend in the film scoring business - Elmer Bernstein. In his life, Bernstein composed film scores for half a century, not one of which was a disappointment. His score for the Ten Commandments was one of his early triumphs in the business that would bring him fame. Even with all the other scores he would go on to record, this one was arguably his finest work. Great score, no questions asked. It suits the atmosphere perfectly.
As far as DVD releases of the film go, I have to recommend getting the anniversary edition released in 2006. This version of the film is three discs - with the first two comprising the 1956 film, and the third featuring the 1923 silent film! In addition, there are plenty of extras in the set, including feature-length commentary.
Overlong run time aside, the Ten Commandments is the quintessential biblical epic. The story is timeless, and DeMille's 1956 take on the classic tale is the definitive version. With its classic "cast of thousands" and the characters they portray, a gripping storyline, and a wonderful Bernstein score, it's a truly classic film.
Thumbs way up!
Movie Review: Classic and one of a Kind.
Summary: 4 Stars
A very pleasant surprise. When I was young I saw this film which was released in 1956, I was impressed with the colors, the special effects such as the serpent fight, the parting of the Red Sea, the pillar of fire, etc. But, when I purchased this new release of March 2006, I was astonished by the colors, the scenery imaging, the special effects, and on my system with a Toshiba XA-2 HD-DVD player, a 42" Samsung LCD TV, and a ONKYO SR604 A/V Receiver, this DVD was absolutely FANTASTIC, the details, the colors of Yul Brynner's costumes were brilliant, the parting of the Red Sea was breath taking.
It is well worth the price, in fact, it is a steal at this price. Excellent work on the remake, please continue to do the great work on other classics. This will go into my reference library, filed under "TREASURES".
Keep up the good work.