The Ten Commandments

It’s one of my favorite old movies. I have the DVD & the digital. But it was awesome to watch on the big screen. I loved the music, costumes & sets. I wish that the movie had been more accurate to scripture with some things. But it’s a wonderful movie to watch and then read the Bible to see what they did & didn’t get right.

Cecil B. DeMille’s 1923 version of *The Ten Commandments* was acclaimed for its impressive biblical scenes in Technicolor and special effects that were innovative for the era—such as the parting of the Red Sea. However, critics were divided on the film: the first part (the Exodus) was praised, while the second (a modern melodrama) was deemed inferior. Visual Impact: The opening sequences depicting the departure from Egypt were described as "irresistible" in terms of editing, scope, and direction. The construction of an Egyptian city and the desert scenes represented pioneering technical achievements. Divided Narrative: The film opens with a 45-to-50-minute biblical prologue, followed by a modern-day story concerning the application of the commandments in the 1920s. Many critics found the modern segment slow and moralistic, contrasting negatively with the majesty of the ancient segment. General Criticism: Although some considered the modern plot to be "rubbish," others viewed it as an interesting moralistic melodrama that reflected the society of the time. Legacy: Despite the mixed reviews regarding its structure, the film was a massive box-office success and established DeMille as a master of biblical epics.