Cecil B. DeMille’s 1956 film of THE TEN COMMANDMENTS is one of the best known films to the generation of baby boomers born after World War II. It made an icon out of Charlton Heston and the parting of the Red Sea remains one of the most spectacular and remembered of Hollywood special effects. It was the great showman’s last film. It was also the second time he made a movie with that title. Ten years after coming to Hollywood in 1913 DeMille made his first version of THE TEN COMMANDMENTS which has now finally made it to DVD continuing a trend of releasing original silent films with the better known sound remakes. This is virtually the same as the VHS version that Paramount released back in 1988. It has the same Gaylord Carter organ score but is lacking the Technicolor sequence (incorrectly labeled as hand tinted) of the Exodus and parting of the Red Sea. The sequence is available unrestored as one of the DVD’s special features.
Unlike the 1956 blockbuster which silent film historian Robert Klepper says could just as easily have been called “The Life And Times Of Moses”, the silent version uses Moses and the Egyptians as a lengthy prologue to a modern story contrasting the lives of two brothers, one who follows the Ten Commandments and one who doesn’t. While the storyline is not exactly subtle in its treatment of right and wrong (one could say the same of recent Oscar winner CRASH and its treatment of racism), it is first and foremost top notch entertainment in the grand Hollywood manner with some spectacular settings (both ancient and modern) and truly remarkable special effects which are sometimes better than those used in 1956.
What really makes this DVD special is the optional commentary by DeMille scholar Katherine Orrison. While I don’t always agree with everything in her analysis of the film, her knowledge and especially her enthusiasm allow you to experience what it was like to view silent films in their heyday. I urge everyone who watches this film to go back and use her commentary. It really enhances the viewing experience and serves as a blueprint of how to watch silent films in general. The restoration of the print is first rate (minus the Technicolor scenes) and the Gaylord Carter organ score is one of his very best. Hats off to Paramount for finally making the 1923 version available on DVD. Now if they would just release the other restored silents in that 1988 VHS series (WINGS, THE COVERED WAGON, and OLD IRONSIDES are among the titles) then silent film afficionados would really have cause to celebrate. Oh by the way did I mention that you also get the 50th anniversary of the 1956 film with this set as well?
The Capsule Critic 