The Ten Commandments

The greatest event in motion picture history!

1956 • 220 min • Drama · History

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Synopsis

Escaping death, a Hebrew infant is raised in a royal household to become a prince. Upon discovery of his true heritage, Moses embarks on a personal quest to reclaim his destiny as the leader and liberator of the Hebrew people.

Our family guide

Best from age 8

Movie Knight Score

1904 reviews

100 Reviewers · 4 · 60%
78 Audience · 1900 · 40%

This epic tells the biblical story of Moses, from his discovery as an infant to his leadership of the Hebrew people out of slavery in Egypt and receiving the Ten Commandments. It features grand scale, dramatic performances, and powerful themes of faith and freedom.

Violence & peril: 3/10
Language: 0/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 1/10
Romance & sensuality: 2/10
Scary moments: 4/10

Heads up

Portrayals of slavery and harsh treatment of people.
Plagues depicted visually could be upsetting to younger viewers.
Dramatic parting of the Red Sea and other miracles.
A character is shown drinking wine.

What it models well

Courage in the face of injustice
Importance of faith and leadership
Seeking freedom and dignity
Divine intervention and miracles

Talk about it after

The historical and religious significance of the Exodus story.
Different kinds of freedom and what it means to be truly free.
How one person can inspire and lead many people to change.
The concept of divine law and its impact on society.

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for The Ten Commandments. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.

Where to watch

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Top billed cast

Director: Cecil B. DeMille • Crew: Fredric M. Frank, Jesse Lasky Jr., Jack Gariss, Æneas MacKenzie

Trailers & clips

On Filming the Ten Commandments (1956) Produced by The Christophers

Parting the Red Sea Clip

Introduction and Overture to The Ten Commandments by Cecil B. DeMille

Paramount Movies Trailer

1966 Re-Release Trailer

Trailer

Reviewer notes

Recommended
Until very recently, I had never actually made it all the way through this Cecil B. De Mille marathon. It is a glorious piece of cinema but no amount of beautiful colour and costumes can detract from what is really rather a staid, over-egged production. Sir Cedric Hardwicke helps open the proceedings as Seti, but once he has gone the film loses much of it's class and just becomes a vehicle for Charlton Heston and ...
Geronimo1967, TMDB Community

Recommended
As good today as in 1956 This film consists of an all star cast and is an amazing movie. The special effects are incredible especially for 1956. The acting is clearly amazing in this account of Moses and the Ten Commandments. 9-10
moard, TMDB Community

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
His God "is" God! The Ten Commandments is at the top end of Hollywood historical epics. It was to be Cecil B. DeMille's last ever directing assignment and he bows out with a gargantuan epic that to this day stands as a testament to his brilliant talent as one of the masters of epic film making. The story cribs from a number of biblical sources, some of which are hokum and not to be taken as a religio lesson,...
John Chard, TMDB Community

Recommended
(The King of Egypt - with his sword drawn - and his Queen, together, converse about killing Moses, servant of the Most High God) ... Queen Nefretiri: 'Bring it back to me, stained with his blood!' Pharoah Rameses: 'I will... to mingle with your own!' Inspired by the Book of Exodus, this Cecil B. DeMille-directed, Academy Award-winning biblical epic, the seventh most successful film of all-time, needs no...
CatEllington, TMDB Community