There's no denying the cinematic power of Cecil B. DeMille's 1956 biblical epic The Ten Commandments. With its cast of thousands, breathtaking locales, glorious sets and costumes, then-revolutionary effects and bold VistaVision photography, the grand retelling of the story of Moses and the Exodus remains a lasting tribute to the Golden Age of Hollywood and an important chapter in the history of cinema. But even with all its merits, we just don’t seem to give the film the respect it deserves.
Nowhere is it present on AFI’s 100 Years 100 Movies list. Not once have I heard it mentioned as someone’s favorite or top-ten movie. Maybe it’s the nearly four-hour running time. Maybe we’re just so used to seeing it in bits and pieces on network television every year that it doesn’t even register and as a complete film anymore. Well, after viewing Paramount Home Video's highly touted new Blu-ray release, like a thunderbolt from God himself, I respect The Ten Commandments.
Newly restored in full 1080p for its high-def debut, The Ten Commandments is quite simply stunning to behold. The widescreen-enhanced 1.78:1 presentation fills the screen with the vibrance and clarity of a freshly struck painting. Colors are rich and glossy and keep your eyes constantly moving to soak up every sumptuous detail of a given scene. From its radiant blue skies, ornate palaces and far-stretching sandscapes, Ancient Egypt has never looked so good. Forget whatever Blu-rays you have in your collection. This is your new reference disc.
This is the type of transfer, however, that truly benefits from a large (42" or greater) 1080p screen. If you have a 32" 1080i monitor and are thinking of upgrading from the DVD to the Blu-ray, you might want to wait, as it most likely will not have the jaw-dropping effect I'm talking about.
Commandments is so engaging you hardly notice the once-exhausting 232-minute running time. The film is still spread over two discs (disc one runs approximately 135 minutes and ends at the intermission), most likely to duplicate the theatrical experience and provide the sharpest screen resolution possible.
The Blu-ray features a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track and it provides a nice, immersive sonic experience at minimal levels. Dialog is crisp and Elmer Bernstein's sweeping score never sounded better.
Extras include a commentary track by Katerine Orrison, author of Written in Stone: The Making of Cecil B. DeMille's Epic, The Ten Commandments, a newsreel of the 1956 premiere in New York and theatrical trailers.
The Ten Commandments lives anew in a unforgettable home-video edition you'll want to revisit again and again. Do the family a favor this Easter and instead of watching the tired, old network-television presentation, pick up the Blu-ray and marvel everyone at your Sunday brunch.
The Ten Commandments (1956)
Restored, Two-Disc Special Edition Blu-ray, Paramount Home Video
SRP: $39.99 ($19.99 at Amazon.com)
Picture: A+
Sound: A
Extras: B
Worth Upgrading From DVD: Yes
