The Ten Commandments (1956)

 Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten Commandments"

In 1914, Cecil B. DeMille made the first feature length film ever filmed in Hollywood, California. Over 40 years later, DeMille would make his final Hollywood film, "The Ten Commandments." Not only would this be his last film he ever made, it was his longest, him most expensive, his greatest box office success, and his most celebrated work. The film is actually a remake of a film he made over 30 years prior. However, in the 1923 version of "The Ten Commandments," only the exodus of the Hebrews are shown i.e. - the parting of the red sea and the receiving of the Ten Commandments. This version of the story covers from Moses's birth to the receiving on the ten commandments. 

The 1956 version of "The Ten Commandments" feels like a culmination of all of DeMille's work. The themes, sets, spectacle, and grandiosity are all 'DeMillian' in a sense, but they are all their most excellent in this work. In most cases, DeMille makes very biblical films, often literally. These films focus on people in positions of power who revel in their power while also focusing on people at the bottom on the totem poll. These people on the bottom of the totem poll have found a sense of value in life through spirituality. Through their suffering, they find existential meaning. Whereas those comfortably in power only value materiality. Most of DeMille's films deal with the divide between these two existential differences. "The Ten Commandments" is no different. Moses, born a Hebrew slave is brought up unknowingly as a prince of Egypt. Those that live around him dress in elegance, dance, drink, and other indulgent activities. What they also do is oppress the Hebrew slaves that build their temples and self-aggrandizing idols. Moses, being a conduit between the two extremes, eventually finds more value in the people of his own blood and becomes their spiritual leader, eventually leading them to freedom. 

Throughout his career, DeMille was known for his immaculate sets. "The Ten Commandments" was perhaps the most immaculate of them all. The set is full of Egyptian temples, monuments, large-scale open space, and a large desert backdrop. The interior sets were constructed on a sound stage in Hollywood. However, the more impressive set pieces set up on location in Egypt, Mount Sinai, and the Sinai Peninsula. To inform the set designers of what he wanted his pieces to look like, DeMille spread out paintings of Lawrence Alma-Tadema. Using this, Egyptian architect El Dine built his designs just outside of Cairo. The sets were so incredible that they could accommodate the 14,000 extras and 15,000 animals. The result in breathtaking to behold on the cinema screen.

DeMille is also known for spectacle. The almost 4 hour runtime of "The Ten Commandments" is full of audacious spectacle like no one had ever seen in 1956. More specifically, the special effects used throughout the film was unlike anything used in Hollywood on or film before. Rivers turning red, black smoke filling the city streets, hail falling and turning to fire, a burning bush, and a pillar of fire were all impressive effects used. However, the most incredible effects used would have to go to the parting of the red sea. Many in film studies consider this effect to be one of the most impressive effects in Hollywood history. It was also one of the most difficult to achieve. The effect took six months to create using VistaVision filming. Shot scenes were combined together to make the final result. In Paramount Studios in Hollywood, a huge water tank was split by a U-shaped trough into which approximately 360,000 gallons of water were released from the sides. These shots were combined with shots of a giant waterfall, which was also built on the Paramount backlot. This added shot helped create the effect of the walls of water of the parted sea. All of these shots were then combined in an optical printer with matte paintings of rocks, which concealed the matte lines between the real elements and the special effects. The results look incredible and was considered the greatest special effect ever conceived at the time.

The sets, the special effects, and the other grandiose elements of "The Ten Commandments" made it the most expensive film ever made at the time of its release. However, everything that was poured into the film ended up being worth it, as the film became the highest grossing film in 1956 and the second highest grossing film of all time at that point, only behind "Gone with the Wind" from 17 years prior. The film was loved and praised by audiences and critics alike. Many called the film the summit of DeMille's filmography, and I would have to agree. "The Ten Commandments" is a culmination of not only Mr. DeMille's life and work, but the culmination of Hollywood itself.