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ABC is continuing its tradition of airing Cecil B. DeMille’s 1956 film of The Tenn Commandments during the Passover and Easter holidays. Each year, ABC gives new audiences a chance to see the story of Moses as Hollywood intended – with Charlton Heston bellowing “Let My People Go!” at Yul Brynner. It’s also an opportunity for many to share a beloved film with friends and family. This year’s broadcast starts at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 15, 2017. Read on for a preview of the film.
The Ten Commandments, the last film DeMille completed as a director before his death in 1959 at age 77, was actually a remake of his 1923 silent film of the same name. That film is far different from the latter film we all know and love, as the story of Moses only takes up the first section of the movie. (The rest of the film is about a man corrupted by immoral decisions.)
For the remake, DeMille decided to devote the entire film to Moses, from the moment he is born to the moment he leads the Jews out of Egypt and leads them to Canaan. Charlton Heston, who previously starred in DeMille’s 1952 Best Picture Oscar-winner The Greatest Show on Earth, was cast as Moses. Yul Brynner, who would also reprise his iconic Broadway role as The King in the film version of The King And I in 1956, was cast as Rameses II. The role of Nefretiri went to Anne Baxter, who remains best known for her role in All About Eve.
The rest of the cast is peppered with Hollywood legends, including Edward G. Robinson, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Nina Foch, Judith Anderson, Vincent Price and John Carradine. DeMille also narrated the film.
Although it was the highest-grossing film of 1956 and the second-highest grossing film of the 1950s, it only won a single Oscar. It was nominated for seven, but only won for John P. Fulton’s Special Effects. It lost Best Picture to Around The World in 80 Days. (The other great nominees that film beat were Giant, Friendly Persuasion and The King and I!)
DATE: Saturday, April 15, 2017
TIME: 7 p.m. ET
CHANNEL: ABC (Click here to find your local ABC affiliate)
CAST:
Charlton Heston as Moses
Yul Brynner as Rameses
Anne Baxter as Nefretiri
Edward G. Robinson as Dathan
Yvonne De Carlo as Sephora
Debra Paget as Lilia
John Derek as Joshua
Nina Foch as Bithiah
Martha Scott as Yoshebel
Judith Anderson as Memnet
Vincent Price as Baka
CREDITS:
Produced & Directed by Cecil B. DeMille
Screenplay by Aeneas MacKenzie, Jesse L. Lasky Jr., Jack Gariss, Drederic M. Frank
Based on Prince of Egypt by Dorothy Clarke Wilson; Pillar of Fire by J.H. Ingraham; On Eagle’s Wings by A.E. Southon; and The Book of Exodus
Narrated by Cecil B. DeMille
Music by Elmer Bernstein
Cinematography by Loyal Griggs, A.S.C.
Edited by Anne Bauchens
OSCARS:
Wins
Best Effects, Special Effects
Nominations
Best Picture
Best Cinematography, Color
Best Costume Design, Color
Best Art Direction – Set Decoration, Color
Best Sound, Recording
Best Film Editing
‘The Ten Commandments’ 2017: Meet the Cast of the Legendary Film
With The Ten Commandments airing on ABC tonight, meet Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner and the rest of the iconic film's cast.
Click here to read more
