The Ten Commandments

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The Ten Commandments

G

1956

3h 40m

History

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

84%

Tomatometer

44 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Enjoying a life of ease in the court of Egypt's pharaoh, Moses (Charlton Heston) discovers his Hebrew heritage and, later, God's expectations of him. He dedicates himself to liberating his people from captivity and -- with the aid of plagues and divine intervention -- manages to lead them out of Egypt and across the Red Sea. A greater challenge comes in the form of the golden calf idol, however, and it takes an unforgettable visitation by God on Mount Sinai for Moses' mission to prevail.

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Critics Consensus

Bombastic and occasionally silly but extravagantly entertaining, Cecil B. DeMille's all-star spectacular is a muscular retelling of the great Bible story.

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SMH Staff

Sydney Morning Herald

It is all a grandly unrestrained act of regression to the infantile days of the cinema, which DeMille seems never to have outgrown.

Nov 17, 2021

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James Powers

The Hollywood Reporter

There is no other picture like it. There will be none. If it could be summed up in a word, the word would be sublime. And the man responsible for that, when all is said and done is Cecil B. DeMille.

Apr 7, 2015

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Kate Cameron

New York Daily News

DeMille's direction of the action is superb and the various roles are played with feeling by a large and competent cast, headed by Charlton Heston.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 10, 2014

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

The epic qualities of De Mille’s last directorial endeavor are impossible to ignore; consistently entertaining or not, the grandeur and scope are monumental.

Rated: 5/10

Nov 8, 2024

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Great fun. This lovably corny Biblical epic is always entertaining no matter when you tune in on Easter night.

Rated: A-

Nov 29, 2022

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Dilys Powell

Sunday Times (UK)

The whole experience (with an interval) lasts roughly four hours. I am afraid that long before the time was up I was silently imploring Mr. DeMille to let his people go.

Aug 9, 2022

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Patty

Very good presentation for a movie made over 60 years ago.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Brad D

Should be shown in every school ,, The Best Movie Ever Made

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/29/23

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Gloria Leon

A great movie, cinematography, casting, story! It was moving and the time flew by. Also a great venue at The Alamo Drafthouse!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/18/22

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Romas M

Greetings from Lithuania. "The Ten Commandments" (1956) is an epic film in every possible way. This is the type a movie Hollywood was known back in the day - it has a classical approach to the material. At running time 3 h 46 min this film will test one patience, but do your self a favor and watch it if you've did before - it is worth your time. The story here is as old as the movie now - about Moses. I will not get into plot only to say that it is a faithful (as it was possible) adaptation. The film making here is epic. It is very theatric - acting here is theatric but in a kind a good way. There is a difference between over play and theatrical play. The film is an epic one. Special effects made back in 1956 still gave me some chills with sea scenes near the end. Set design, costumes - all of the production values are still looks amazing to this day. Clearly little was spared for creation of this Biblical epic. Overall, watching this film for the first time in 2025 won't leave same impact as it would have been in 1956 - that goes without saying. Still the film is worth watching it at least once to appreciate the classical film Hollywood was know for back in the day. "The Ten Commandments" is a really good film even today.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/07/25

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Jeremiah D.

Dang unc…Dinosaur times I see…

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/23/25

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Mitch B

There is a reason this is a classic. I love it. Though it does have a bit of a slow burn, by the time we get to the plagues and the exodus from Egypt, the movie really pocks up and the moment where Moses receives the Ten Commandments from God stands out for me.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/01/25

Full Review

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Cecil B. DeMille

Director

Charlton Heston

Moses

Yul Brynner

Rameses

Edward G. Robinson

Dathan

Anne Baxter

Nefretiri

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Synopsis

Enjoying a life of ease in the court of Egypt's pharaoh, Moses (Charlton Heston) discovers his Hebrew heritage and, later, God's expectations of him. He dedicates himself to liberating his people from captivity and -- with the aid of plagues and divine intervention -- manages to lead them out of Egypt and across the Red Sea. A greater challenge comes in the form of the golden calf idol, however, and it takes an unforgettable visitation by God on Mount Sinai for Moses' mission to prevail.

Director: Cecil B. DeMille
Producer: Cecil B. DeMille
Screenwriter: Æneas MacKenzie, Jesse Lasky Jr., Fredric M. Frank, Jack Gariss
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: G
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 5, 1956, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 24, 2016
Runtime: 3h 40m
Sound Mix: Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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