The Ten Commandments

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The Ten Commandments

Released Nov 23, 1923

2h 26m

History

Drama

Biography

Fantasy

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86%

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7 Reviews

74%

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5,000+ Ratings

Although the first part of the film is set in ancient Egypt with Moses (Theodore Roberts) and Rameses (Charles De Roche), the central focus is the 1920s story of two brothers -- John (Richard Dix) and Dan McTavish (Rod La Rocque). John, a carpenter, is the son who embodies the laws of Moses, while Dan, a corrupt contractor, lives a life of sin. When a tragedy caused by Dan kills the brothers' mother (Edythe Chapman), Dan tries to redeem his wicked ways. But more hard lessons await him.

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Jules Caldeira

Film Inquiry

Whether to witness a piece of Old Hollywood history that’s quite literally still being rediscovered or because the film speaks to your faith, there’s a little something here for many types of audiences.

Sep 2, 2023

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Austin Kennedy

Film Geek Central

This is light years better than the Heston version. The effects hold up better (parting of the read sea is awesome!), the acting is better and it's about an hour shorter.

Rated: 3/4

May 19, 2013

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Sean Axmaker

Parallax View

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

Apr 1, 2011

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Lori Hoffman

Atlantic City Weekly

Rated: 3/5

Aug 17, 2006

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Jeffrey Westhoff

Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

Rated: 2/5

Apr 4, 2006

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 4/5

Jul 21, 2005

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ChrisCSH H

While the 1923 version of the ten Commandments may not be as grand of a spectacular film as the Heston version the 1923 ten Commandments is an excellent biblical/drama. The first half of the film is very reminiscent what you would find in the later Heston version but then later splits off into a second half more modern vision of the current state of affairs of what a lot of people felt about the actual ten Commandments and it turned out to be an overall excellent silent film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/01/25

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Omri F

The first part of the movie is too drawn out with an unnecessary amount of cuts showing extras, but the second part of the movie is everything I could ask from a silent film

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/27/23

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Dustin D

The Ten Commandments is melodramatic and the first 50 minutes are a lengthy prelude to the actual story, but it is a great ride. The Biblical parts were exhilarating. The difference between CGI and actual people and animals on real film is palpable.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/23/23

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Elvis D

A diferencia de la famosa cinta protagonizada por Heston, esta solo usa la historia de Moisés como prologo para presentarnos el conflicto de los dos hermanos protagonistas. Es una película bastante buena a pesar de no centrarse por completo en la historia de Moisés, ya que su mensaje principal es los diez mandamientos de la biblia como parte esencial de los valores morales. La historia de los 2 hermanos es utilizada para transmitir el mismo mensaje que tiene la historia de Moisés. La verdad está muy bien contada y es una película bastante disfrutable con un buen guion y argumento. Yo le doy un 9/10.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/16/23

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Ethan S

Having seen the later Heston remake many times, I was surprised at the format of this film - half the story of the ten commandments in the Bible, half the story of the ten commandments in modern times. It was... okay. But I see why DeMille decided to drop the modern storyline for the remake, fleshing out the grandeur and spectacle of the biblical account without the fairly rote modern morality tale tacked on.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/18/21

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Audience Member

The best epic movie ever made!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Cecil B. DeMille

Director

Theodore Roberts

Moses

Charles de Rochefort

Rameses

Estelle Taylor

Miriam

Julia Faye

The Wife of Pharaoh

Pat Moore

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Synopsis

Although the first part of the film is set in ancient Egypt with Moses (Theodore Roberts) and Rameses (Charles De Roche), the central focus is the 1920s story of two brothers -- John (Richard Dix) and Dan McTavish (Rod La Rocque). John, a carpenter, is the son who embodies the laws of Moses, while Dan, a corrupt contractor, lives a life of sin. When a tragedy caused by Dan kills the brothers' mother (Edythe Chapman), Dan tries to redeem his wicked ways. But more hard lessons await him.

Director: Cecil B. DeMille
Producer: Cecil B. DeMille
Screenwriter: Jeanie Macpherson
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Genre: History, Drama, Biography, Fantasy
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 23, 1923, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 22, 2016
Runtime: 2h 26m

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