Review of Ten Commandments, The (2 disc set)

Introduction

Surely this is a film which needs no introduction – Cecil B DeMille’s Great Grandaddy of Hollywood spectacle and wonder, the pomp and pageantry of this epic has been relatively unmatched since. While we wonder at the spectacular and huge special effects of modern cinema, the crowds in The Ten Commandments are real. The breathtaking vistas are not matte backdrops, but the true skies of the Holy Land. Thousands of extras give a true feeling of enormity rarely experienced in these days of digitised crowds.

This 1956 film was actually DeMille’s second bite of the cherry, remaking his original 1923 vision. It must be said that the casting of the remake was completely inspired – Charlton Heston excels as the stoical Moses, in a role which he hasn’t truly escaped from since. A more fitting Rameses could not have been chosen – Yul Brynner has a grace and commanding outlook that so few people could match.

The Bible is actually relatively short on detail on the events of Moses’ early life, and many scholars and filmmakers have spent centuries postulating as to how he developed. DeMille followed early Roman historians, much as the more recent animated film Prince of Egypt did. There are a number of similarities in the approach, and to see the contrast is fascinating.

With the film running to nearly four hours, this set contains two discs with the film spread across them. However, the end of disc one is not some jarring mid-scene change as it might be with many modern productions – the film actually has a defined intermission (ice-cream in the isles anyone ?!) and the disc split follows this. It is a graceful throwback to the days of old, and a particularly comfortable way to get you to change discs.

Video

For a film nearly half a century old, the picture from this 1.78:1 ratio anamorphic image is absolutely excellent. When the initial image comes up, it is rich and detailed. Throughout the film, the transfer to the digital medium is very well carried off, with practically no smearing or blocking. It probably helps that this marathon of a film is split over two discs, which give more room for compression (and all those extras stuffed on!).

In some later scenes, and typically outdoors, there is some reflection and glare from white objects (or bald heads!) reflecting in sunshine, and shadow detail is sometimes lacking. However, I am convinced that these are limitations of the original filmstock, and therefore unavoidable.

Audio

Quite simply amazing. While the French, German, Italian and Spanish only get mono soundtracks of distinctly varying quality, the main English track is remixed Dolby 5.1 and sounds stunning. From the opening prologue, you can shut your eyes and the orchestral track could be the introduction of a 2001 vintage film. There is richness and detail of the highest calibre. The track also handles voices well and only struggles a little when it comes to the voice of God (if you have the volume low !).

The restoration of this soundtrack is a genuine feat of technology and artistry, and reason alone to get this disc if you are at all a fan of this film.

Features

At first glance, it would seem that the extra material for this package is limited, and sure enough, it is not a special feature packed with interviews and documentaries. However, there are a vast amount of subtitle options – more than I have ever seen on a DVD before. Some 20 different subtitles are available, in addition to the five audio tracks, which offer a flexibility and appeal beyond any other disc.

The only other extra materials are three trailers from different eras. However, upon viewing, it becomes clear that the original 1950’s trailer is not a trailer as we know it, but more an introduction to and description of the film by DeMille himself. This runs to approximately 15 minutes, and is as good an insight into the mind of the Director as most modern featurettes. On top of this there is an introduction to the film itself by DeMille, standing quaintly on a stage grasping a microphone stand, and it is easy to feel that the man had such an investment in the film.

On an entertaining note, the 1980`s trailer remake is the cheesiest segment on the whole disc - with the poorest quality picture !

Conclusion

A fan of modern cinema is going to find much of The Ten Commandments a little ‘simple’ for today’s palette. The special effects, while Oscar-winning at the time, are now clearly examples of painting onto the film negative, or placing actors in front of rear-projection screens. Some of the scenes, direction, dialogue and makeup also contribute to making it feel like you are watching a school play. However, get past these feelings and allow yourself to be drawn into the movie, and you will be enveloped by the sheer intensity and spectacle of the whole event.

Despite the limitations to the picture I have described above, you should not take this to mean that this is a bad disc set. In truth, this version of The Ten Commandments looks and sounds far, far better than it has any right to do given its age. I can heartily recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the movie – you will not have seen it looking so good and sounding as spectacular as this at home before.