# The Ten Commandments

> 1956 American film directed by Cecil B. DeMille

**Wikidata**: [Q746733](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q746733)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ten_Commandments_(1956_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-ten-commandments

## Summary
The Ten Commandments is a 1956 American biblical drama film directed by Cecil B. DeMille, adapting the Book of Exodus. It is one of the most famous religious epics in cinema history, renowned for its technical achievements and cultural impact. The film was preserved in the National Film Registry by the U.S. Library of Congress in 1976.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: October 5, 1956 (USA), with later releases in 1958 and 1960.
- **Director**: Cecil B. DeMille (his final film).
- **Production Company**: Paramount Pictures.
- **Genres**: Drama, adventure, historical, sword-and-sandal.
- **Runtime**: 220 minutes (theatrical cut).
- **Budget**: $13.5 million (1956 USD).
- **Box Office**: $93 million (1956–1960).
- **Preservation**: Selected for the National Film Registry in 1976.
- **Awards**: Won two Academy Awards (Best Cinematography, Best Sound Recording).
- **Source Material**: Biblical Book of Exodus.
- **Starring**: Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter.
- **Cinematography**: Winton C. Hoch, Loyal Griggs, John F. Seitz.
- **Music**: Elmer Bernstein.
- **Aspect Ratio**: 2.20:1 (Paramount’s VistaVision process).
- **Language**: English.
- **Country**: United States.
- **Wikipedia Sitelinks**: 50 language editions.
- **IMDb ID**: tt0049833.
- **Library of Congress ID**: sh98026999.

## FAQs
**What biblical story does The Ten Commandments adapt?**  
The film dramatizes the life of Moses and the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, drawing directly from the Book of Exodus. It emphasizes themes of faith, freedom, and divine intervention.

**Why is the film notable for its technical achievements?**  
It pioneered widescreen cinematography using Paramount’s VistaVision process and won Academy Awards for Best Cinematography and Best Sound. Its scale, with massive sets and thousands of extras, set new standards for epic filmmaking.

**How was the film preserved and recognized?**  
The U.S. Library of Congress added it to the National Film Registry in 1976, deeming it "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." It has undergone multiple restorations, including a 2006 50th-anniversary release.

**What role did Cecil B. DeMille play in the film’s legacy?**  
As director and co-writer, DeMille crafted the film as his final project, blending spectacle with moral storytelling. His attention to historical detail and religious themes shaped its enduring reputation as a landmark epic.

**How did the film perform commercially and culturally?**  
It became the highest-grossing film of 1956 and one of the top-grossing films of the 1950s. Its success revitalized the biblical epic genre and solidified Charlton Heston’s stardom. It remains a cultural touchstone, often broadcast during Easter and Passover.

## Why It Matters
The Ten Commandments is a cornerstone of cinematic history, blending religious narrative with groundbreaking filmmaking techniques. It solved the challenge of adapting sacred texts into mass entertainment, balancing spectacle with spiritual themes. Its technical innovations (widescreen cinematography, sound design) influenced later epics like *Ben-Hur* and *The Exodus*. Economically, it demonstrated the viability of high-budget religious films, shaping Hollywood’s approach to spectacle-driven storytelling. Culturally, it reinforced biblical narratives in popular consciousness and remains a symbol of mid-20th-century American religiosity. Its preservation in the National Film Registry underscores its lasting significance as both art and artifact.

## Notable For
- **First Widescreen Biblical Epic**: Pioneered the use of VistaVision for religious storytelling.
- **Technical Milestone**: Won Oscars for cinematography and sound, showcasing mid-20th-century filmmaking innovation.
- **Commercial Success**: Highest-grossing film of 1956 and one of the most profitable epics of its era.
- **Cultural Preservation**: Added to the National Film Registry in 1976, recognizing its historical importance.
- **Director’s Swan Song**: Cecil B. DeMille’s final film, encapsulating his career-long focus on moral and historical themes.
- **Easter/Passover Tradition**: Regularly televised during religious holidays, ensuring its continued visibility.

## Body

### Production and Release
Directed by Cecil B. DeMille and produced by Paramount Pictures, *The Ten Commandments* premiered on October 5, 1956. With a budget of $13.5 million, it was one of the most expensive films of its time, featuring a star-studded cast including Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, and Anne Baxter. The film’s runtime of 220 minutes made it a monumental undertaking, requiring large-format VistaVision cameras to achieve its 2.20:1 aspect ratio. It was re-released in 1958, 1960, and 2006, with the 2006 edition undergoing digital restoration.

### Genre and Themes
Classified as a drama, adventure, historical, and sword-and-sandal film, it adapts the Exodus narrative while incorporating action and romance. Themes of faith, tyranny, and redemption are central, with Moses’ journey from prince to prophet serving as a moral allegory. The film’s blend of spectacle and spirituality helped define the biblical epic genre, influencing later works like *The Greatest Story Ever Told* (1965).

### Technical Achievements
The film won Academy Awards for Best Cinematography (Winton C. Hoch, Loyal Griggs, John F. Seitz) and Best Sound (Gordon Eckerfeld, James Corwall, John P. Livadary). Its use of VistaVision—a high-resolution widescreen process—enhanced visual grandeur, particularly in scenes like the parting of the Red Sea, which combined miniatures, matte paintings, and optical effects. The soundtrack, composed by Elmer Bernstein, incorporated leitmotifs for key characters and events, adding emotional depth to the narrative.

### Preservation and Legacy
Selected for the National Film Registry in 1976, the film is recognized for its cultural and historical value. Paramount Pictures has preserved it through restorations, including a 2006 50th-anniversary release supervised by Robert A. Harris. The Library of Congress holds the film under ID *sh98026999*, and it is cataloged in IMDb as *tt0049833*. Its legacy extends to popular culture, with references in *The Simpsons* and *Family Guy*, and annual television broadcasts during religious holidays.

### Cultural Impact
The film’s success revitalized the biblical epic genre and solidified Charlton Heston’s status as a leading man. It grossed $93 million by 1960, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the 1950s. Its portrayal of Moses and the Exodus has become iconic, with the parting of the Red Sea ranking among cinema’s most memorable scenes. The film’s emphasis on divine intervention and moral struggle resonated with Cold War-era audiences, reflecting contemporary anxieties about freedom and tyranny.

### Related Entities
- **Paramount Pictures**: The studio behind the film, founded in 1912, which distributed the film and managed its re-releases.
- **National Film Registry**: Added the film in 1976, ensuring its preservation by the Library of Congress.
- **Cecil B. DeMille**: The director’s final film, showcasing his signature blend of spectacle and moral storytelling.
- **Charlton Heston**: Starred as Moses, a role that defined his career and earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
- **Elmer Bernstein**: Composed the score, which won a Golden Globe and remains a classic of film music.

### Historical Context
Produced during the height of Hollywood’s studio system, the film exemplifies mid-20th-century American cinema’s scale and ambition. Its religious themes aligned with 1950s cultural values, while its technical innovations responded to competition from television. The film’s portrayal of ancient Egypt drew on historical research, though it took creative liberties for dramatic effect, such as the romance between Moses and Nefretiri.

### Awards and Recognition
In addition to its two Academy Awards, the film received a Golden Globe for Best Original Score (Elmer Bernstein) and a nomination for Best Actor (Charlton Heston). It ranks #479 on *Empire* magazine’s 500 Greatest Films of All Time and is included in the American Film Institute’s 2006 list of “10 Top 10” epics.

### Commercial Performance
With a production budget of $13.5 million, the film grossed $93 million by 1960, making it Paramount’s highest-grossing film until *Grease* (1978). Its success demonstrated the profitability of religious epics, paving the way for films like *Ben-Hur* (1959) and *The Exodus* (1960).

### Technical Specifications
- **Aspect Ratio**: 2.20:1 (VistaVision).
- **Sound Mix**: Mono (Perspecta Sound).
- **Film Length**: 20,000 feet (theatrical release).
- **Color Process**: DeLuxe Color.
- **Camera**: Mitchell FC 35mm cameras with VistaVision lenses.

### Restorations and Re-releases
A 2006 restoration by Robert A. Harris and James Cameron addressed color fading and audio degradation, using original camera negatives. The restoration premiered at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, with subsequent releases on DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K Ultra HD. The 2021 65th-anniversary edition included behind-the-scenes footage and historical documentaries.

### Academic and Critical Reception
Film scholars analyze the movie’s use of spectacle to convey spiritual themes, while critics praise its performances and technical achievements. The film holds a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many noting its influence on the epic genre. However, some modern reviews critique its pacing and historical inaccuracies, reflecting evolving critical standards.

### Global Reach
Released in 50 countries, the film was dubbed or subtitled in multiple languages, including French (*Les Dix Commandements*), Spanish (*Los Diez Mandamientos*), and Italian (*I Dieci Comandamenti*). Its international success helped establish Hollywood’s dominance in global markets during the 1950s.

### Merchandising and Adaptations
The film spawned tie-in novels, comic books, and religious educational materials. A 1976 animated adaptation, *The Ten Commandments and More*, simplified the story for children, while a 2006 documentary, *The Ten Commandments: The Movie and the Moment*, explored its production history.

### Trivia
- The parting of the Red Sea was achieved using a combination of miniatures, glass paintings, and reverse footage.
- Charlton Heston’s iconic staff was a prop made from a eucalyptus tree branch.
- Over 1,000 extras participated in the Exodus scenes, filmed in Egypt and California.
- Yul Brynner’s portrayal of Pharaoh Rameses II popularized the “Pharaoh look” in subsequent films and media.

## References

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