The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments (1956)

  • 91% of critics liked it
    (32 reviews)

  • 83% of users liked it
    (58,228 ratings)

Based on the Holy Scriptures, with additional dialogue by several other hands, The Ten Commandments was the last film directed by Cecil B. DeMille. The story relates the life of Moses, from the time he was discovered in the bullrushes as an infant by the pharoah's daughter, to his long, hard… More

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In Theaters
Oct 5, 1956 Wide
Paramount Pictures

Critic Reviews

  • Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

    With a running time of nearly four hours, Cecil B. De Mille's last feature and most extravagant blockbuster is full of the absurdities and vulgarities one expects, but it isn't boring for a minute.

  • Variety Staff, Variety

    DeMille remains conventional with the motion picture as an art form. The eyes of the onlooker are filled with spectacle. Emotional tug is sometimes lacking.

  • Stephen Garrett, Time Out

    It's the gigantic vulgarity, the obsessive righteousness of the director himself, which keeps the show on the road and suffuses the movie with its daft power.

  • Bosley Crowther, New York Times

    The crammed contents are linked ponderously in a long, warning movie sermon that has authority but little power.

  • Leonard Maltin, Leonard Maltin's Picks

    It seems as if some films are perpetually being restored, with each new version touted as better than the last. That said, I can assure you that the new DVD and Blu-ray edition of...

Read all 15 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Alexander D


    With the full technicolor, the increased setback, and the whopping length, we expect an epic such as GONE WITH THE WIND: melodramatic, yes, but thoroughly engaging. Instead, we are shocked to receive something completely different: a melodrama that succeeds in its entirety with… More

  • Mister C


    This was Cecil B.De Mille's last theatrical feature,with a running time of nearly four hours(basically the running time of 3 hours and 40 minutes which includes the opening overture,intermission, and exit music),this stunning and most extravagant blockbuster is full of… More

  • Sajin P


    A ceremonious 4 star. Watching the Red-sea parting sequence, you just cant stop wondering how they achieved that, with the kind of technology they had in the 50s.

  • Universal D


    practically everyone i've ever known has seen this film at least once as network television used to show it twice a year. cecil b. demille's denunciation of the sinful life while gloriously wallowing in it is nonetheless glorious, a big movie that has BIG implanted into… More

  • Richard C


    I was bored through most of this. Its so long and cheesy. I know its old and I enjoyed parts of it but I was falling asleep by the end of it but come on its almost 4 hours. Grade: C

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

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