I have this on DVD, and I love it. I used to watch it all the time, until I bought The Ten Commandments miniseries, but I will have to watch it again sometime! This film is really good, it has a lot of accuracy, a touching yet dramatic screenplay, and it is a powerful epic production. Some special effects are great, and it has a great spiritual touch to it. I love it! I get emotional at the end when Moses dies, especially with the music, and the Israelites mourning. I am getting tears right now. Yet unfortunately it lacks something that takes two points away from my vote, making it 8 out of ten. One point was taken away in the matter of special effects. In The Bible book of Exodus chapter 9 verse 23 it says that Moses stretched up his rod towards the heavens and thunder hail were sent from God with fire running down to Earth. In this film, you see hail and thunder, but where is the fire? And what about the parting of the sea. Look at those piddling little walls of water! And you don't even see the sea part like in all the other versions! All these special effects could have been done so good by CGI! And the other point was taken because of how much it includes from the Biblical text. Where is the war of Amalekites and the sweetening of the waters at Marah? They should have included Moses getting nursed by his real mother Jochebed too! Anyway, I still recommend this, buy it, and the whole family will love it! Just make sure little kids don't see it, because it has a violent scene!
19 Reviews
Why Did They Bother???
xerses135 August 2013
We have seen almost every interpretation of Moses and the Exodus. Film, Made for T.V. Movie even the Animated effort(s) and the question remains why did they bother?! There is only one (1) version worth watching and it is shown every year around Easter/Passover on the ABC Network. Cecil B. DeMille's THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, Paramount (1956). Better yet, buy it on DVD and get both his versions.
Yes, we know all the faults of the film. A presentation suitable for a early 20th Century Stage melodrama. SFX that could/should have been tighten up. Plus some over the top acting, but that ignores the positives. Egypt looked like a powerful EMPIRE, which it was. Not some back-water mono-chromatic third world state. When GOD struck down with its POWER, you knew IT meant business. Rameses was a Rat, Nefretiri a over sexed nymphomaniac and Moses true to the Lord, without the second guessing introspective.
What you get in MOSES is a wimp, who whines about doing the Almighty's will. Weasly Hebrews who are not worth saving and SFX which would have been better done in the 1935, let alone in 1995! Plus a musical score which is not forgettable, but not even noticed. It takes more then a strong cast to make a great film. It takes a Director/Producer that loves the subject matter. There is no doubt that DeMille filled the bill in both matters.
Yes, we know all the faults of the film. A presentation suitable for a early 20th Century Stage melodrama. SFX that could/should have been tighten up. Plus some over the top acting, but that ignores the positives. Egypt looked like a powerful EMPIRE, which it was. Not some back-water mono-chromatic third world state. When GOD struck down with its POWER, you knew IT meant business. Rameses was a Rat, Nefretiri a over sexed nymphomaniac and Moses true to the Lord, without the second guessing introspective.
What you get in MOSES is a wimp, who whines about doing the Almighty's will. Weasly Hebrews who are not worth saving and SFX which would have been better done in the 1935, let alone in 1995! Plus a musical score which is not forgettable, but not even noticed. It takes more then a strong cast to make a great film. It takes a Director/Producer that loves the subject matter. There is no doubt that DeMille filled the bill in both matters.
More Biblical Than Initially Realized
mrauch819-172-59031529 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
When I first saw this, I too was disappointed with the depiction of Moses' apparent lack of faith. I've read through the Bible several times, so I know whereof I write. However, after sitting through weeks of a Bible study of the book of Exodus, our pastor and study leader pointed something out that I hadn't previously seen.
So to all of the negative reviewers here, let me encourage you to please review Holy Scripture. Some of the items mentioned by other reviewers as being un-Biblical actually ARE in the Bible. Yes, there are other movie details that aren't Biblical (some things that I too wish would have been presented differently); but, if I recall correctly, they really aren't a significant deviation from the main points of the story.
So what was the new discovery from the Bible study? Check it out (in chapters 3 & 4 of Exodus). When the LORD appears to Moses in the burning bush, notice how Moses addresses Him. In verses 10 & 13 of Exodus 4 and verse 22 of chapter 5, Moses simply addresses God by a courteous title "Lord" rather than by His name "the LORD." These are actually different words in the original language; English versions of the Bible only indicate this difference by using lowercase/uppercase letters.
Indeed, Moses' faith does seem something that was in desperate need for growth and maturity -- after all, He did stay away from Egypt for FORTY YEARS. So then this movie shows the beauty of what Holy Scripture shows: Moses' faith, love, and admiration of God grew substantially throughout his life and experiences!
If you're too lazy to read the whole book of Exodus, then simply check out these passages to see that exercising faith was NOT an easy thing initially for Moses or the people he was to lead. -- WARNING: Reading these may be a spoiler for watching the movie, but so what? -- Exodus 2:14-15, 4:1, 4:10, 4:13, 4:14, 4:18-19, 4:24, 5:20-23, 6:9, 6:28-30, 11:3, 14:11-15, 14:31, 15:1-3, 15:11, 18:11, 20:18-21.
So to all of the negative reviewers here, let me encourage you to please review Holy Scripture. Some of the items mentioned by other reviewers as being un-Biblical actually ARE in the Bible. Yes, there are other movie details that aren't Biblical (some things that I too wish would have been presented differently); but, if I recall correctly, they really aren't a significant deviation from the main points of the story.
So what was the new discovery from the Bible study? Check it out (in chapters 3 & 4 of Exodus). When the LORD appears to Moses in the burning bush, notice how Moses addresses Him. In verses 10 & 13 of Exodus 4 and verse 22 of chapter 5, Moses simply addresses God by a courteous title "Lord" rather than by His name "the LORD." These are actually different words in the original language; English versions of the Bible only indicate this difference by using lowercase/uppercase letters.
Indeed, Moses' faith does seem something that was in desperate need for growth and maturity -- after all, He did stay away from Egypt for FORTY YEARS. So then this movie shows the beauty of what Holy Scripture shows: Moses' faith, love, and admiration of God grew substantially throughout his life and experiences!
If you're too lazy to read the whole book of Exodus, then simply check out these passages to see that exercising faith was NOT an easy thing initially for Moses or the people he was to lead. -- WARNING: Reading these may be a spoiler for watching the movie, but so what? -- Exodus 2:14-15, 4:1, 4:10, 4:13, 4:14, 4:18-19, 4:24, 5:20-23, 6:9, 6:28-30, 11:3, 14:11-15, 14:31, 15:1-3, 15:11, 18:11, 20:18-21.
Very,very well done!
rainbow4141 April 2002
April 1, My husband and I watched this movie Easter Sunday and it seemed appropriate. We both agreed that it was very well depicted,and fairly accurate in it's portrayal of Moses and the events he was involved in. His compassion and frustration for his fellow Israelites was very moving. Ben Kingsley is a very good actor. And yes, we did find the exceptionally white teeth of some of the actors disarmingly distracting. What toothpaste do they use?????? :-) "No Christ,No Peace......Know Christ,Know Peace!."
Good exodus account, but poor in other ways
SimonJack23 September 2015
The 1995 TV movie, "Moses," is mostly faithful to the Bible accounts that it covers in the exodus. It has six of the 10 plagues, and it has several of the events during the desert sojourn, including most of the major signs of God's power. It has good scenes of the Ark of the Covenant, the Tabernacle and the meeting tent, although there is no discussion of these.
It includes the important scouting of the Promised Land. God was ready to lead them into the land just a few months into the exodus, but the people balked. Ten of the 12 scouts said they would not be able to overcome the inhabitants who were there. The people didn't trust God to lead them in conquest of the land, so he condemned them to roam the desert for 40 years, until all those over age 20 had died.
I give this film six stars for its story accuracy during the exodus. It could have been a couple notches higher but for its shortcomings. The special effects are only fair. We see a short scene of the Red Sea after it has parted. When the Nile turns into blood, it looks as though a red filter is sliding over the camera lens. The earthquake seems more like the camera moving around while the people fall and slip.
One of the phenomenal things about the exodus was its sheer size. It involved two to three million people (based on Ex. 12:37). They set out with herds, flocks and belongings from Rameses, the great delta city that the Israelites had been building. This film fails to capture any of that. We see only a small area of adobe homes where the slaves live, and no sign of a great city. There are no scenes of masses of people. Most group scenes had no more than 100 people in them.
Another weak aspect is the story of the early years of Moses, and his adult character. The Bible is silent on most of the first 30 years of his life. It says only that he became the son of Pharaoh's daughter. As such, he would have been taught physical skills and the "art" of combat in the royal household. We see just a glimpse of that in a stick- fighting scene with his cousin. Otherwise, Moses is a clumsy child, withdrawn, and insecure. It's not likely that Moses would have known or visited his real family in his early years. Would Pharaoh have tolerated someone from the despised Israelite slaves as a member of the royal household? There is more in scripture and tradition that attest to the very unlikelihood of this.
Ben Kingsley's grown Moses is very good in his frequent internal conversations with God. But he is not the image of one who could rouse the people to follow him out of Egypt. In the Bible, Moses admits to not being an eloquent speaker, but that hardly equates to his being a lesser man physically. The scene of Moses at the well in Midian is quite novel. It seemed like another way to avoid his being portrayed as a strong man, physically or otherwise. But would Midian shepherds a few hundred miles away from the capitol of Egypt believe that this rag-tag character was from the royal Egyptian household? Or that an army of chariots had just crossed the desert and was about to put upon them? More likely, they would have thought he was an escaped thief. And, when Moses stays with Jethro's family for decades, he surely would encounter those same Midian shepherds in the days, weeks and years ahead. But where would Pharaoh's army be to back him up? No, I don't think much careful thought went into this character for Moses.
The film also is weak in the names of characters, including some who aren't named directly in the Book of Exodus. The first pharaoh in the film, when Moses is growing up, is Rameses I. But his tenure was less than three years. Most scholars think that Seti I was the pharaoh at that time. His reign was about 12 years. His son, Rameses II, was about 30 years old when he became pharaoh and was the chief builder of the glorious city, Rameses. And, he reigned for 67 years which would encompass the time that Moses was in Midian and then leading the exodus. The name of the pharaoh's daughter in this film is Ptiri, but I could find no reference to that name anywhere. In the film, the Pharaoh tells Moses that she died while he was gone. But a later Bible entry (1 Chronicles 4:17) lists Bithiah as "the daughter of Pharaoh." According to tradition, she was banished by Pharaoh for having brought Moses, an Israelite, into the house of the Pharaoh and pretending him to be her own. And, she left with Moses on the exodus – part of the "mixed multitude."
Some other Bible names are omitted, and fictitious names added. Zerack is a frequent complainer and critic of Moses in this movie. I can't find a reference to him anywhere. Dathan isn't mentioned at all, but in the Bible he, Korah and other leaders of the rebellion are swallowed up in the earthquake.
Many movies have been made about the exodus. This one is good for its account of the exodus itself, but not very good otherwise. I would like to see an exodus movie someday that has the account of the seraph snakes that bite and kill many of the Israelites for their constant grumbling against Moses and God. And then Moses making the bronze snake and putting it on a high pole for the people to gaze on and recover from their snake bites.
It includes the important scouting of the Promised Land. God was ready to lead them into the land just a few months into the exodus, but the people balked. Ten of the 12 scouts said they would not be able to overcome the inhabitants who were there. The people didn't trust God to lead them in conquest of the land, so he condemned them to roam the desert for 40 years, until all those over age 20 had died.
I give this film six stars for its story accuracy during the exodus. It could have been a couple notches higher but for its shortcomings. The special effects are only fair. We see a short scene of the Red Sea after it has parted. When the Nile turns into blood, it looks as though a red filter is sliding over the camera lens. The earthquake seems more like the camera moving around while the people fall and slip.
One of the phenomenal things about the exodus was its sheer size. It involved two to three million people (based on Ex. 12:37). They set out with herds, flocks and belongings from Rameses, the great delta city that the Israelites had been building. This film fails to capture any of that. We see only a small area of adobe homes where the slaves live, and no sign of a great city. There are no scenes of masses of people. Most group scenes had no more than 100 people in them.
Another weak aspect is the story of the early years of Moses, and his adult character. The Bible is silent on most of the first 30 years of his life. It says only that he became the son of Pharaoh's daughter. As such, he would have been taught physical skills and the "art" of combat in the royal household. We see just a glimpse of that in a stick- fighting scene with his cousin. Otherwise, Moses is a clumsy child, withdrawn, and insecure. It's not likely that Moses would have known or visited his real family in his early years. Would Pharaoh have tolerated someone from the despised Israelite slaves as a member of the royal household? There is more in scripture and tradition that attest to the very unlikelihood of this.
Ben Kingsley's grown Moses is very good in his frequent internal conversations with God. But he is not the image of one who could rouse the people to follow him out of Egypt. In the Bible, Moses admits to not being an eloquent speaker, but that hardly equates to his being a lesser man physically. The scene of Moses at the well in Midian is quite novel. It seemed like another way to avoid his being portrayed as a strong man, physically or otherwise. But would Midian shepherds a few hundred miles away from the capitol of Egypt believe that this rag-tag character was from the royal Egyptian household? Or that an army of chariots had just crossed the desert and was about to put upon them? More likely, they would have thought he was an escaped thief. And, when Moses stays with Jethro's family for decades, he surely would encounter those same Midian shepherds in the days, weeks and years ahead. But where would Pharaoh's army be to back him up? No, I don't think much careful thought went into this character for Moses.
The film also is weak in the names of characters, including some who aren't named directly in the Book of Exodus. The first pharaoh in the film, when Moses is growing up, is Rameses I. But his tenure was less than three years. Most scholars think that Seti I was the pharaoh at that time. His reign was about 12 years. His son, Rameses II, was about 30 years old when he became pharaoh and was the chief builder of the glorious city, Rameses. And, he reigned for 67 years which would encompass the time that Moses was in Midian and then leading the exodus. The name of the pharaoh's daughter in this film is Ptiri, but I could find no reference to that name anywhere. In the film, the Pharaoh tells Moses that she died while he was gone. But a later Bible entry (1 Chronicles 4:17) lists Bithiah as "the daughter of Pharaoh." According to tradition, she was banished by Pharaoh for having brought Moses, an Israelite, into the house of the Pharaoh and pretending him to be her own. And, she left with Moses on the exodus – part of the "mixed multitude."
Some other Bible names are omitted, and fictitious names added. Zerack is a frequent complainer and critic of Moses in this movie. I can't find a reference to him anywhere. Dathan isn't mentioned at all, but in the Bible he, Korah and other leaders of the rebellion are swallowed up in the earthquake.
Many movies have been made about the exodus. This one is good for its account of the exodus itself, but not very good otherwise. I would like to see an exodus movie someday that has the account of the seraph snakes that bite and kill many of the Israelites for their constant grumbling against Moses and God. And then Moses making the bronze snake and putting it on a high pole for the people to gaze on and recover from their snake bites.
MOSES {TV} (Roger Young, 1995) **1/2
Bunuel197615 November 2019
This is at least the seventh version of the Biblical events encompassing the Hebrew exodus from Egypt and the laying down of God's law in the form of the Ten Commandments that I have checked out: the others were THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1923 and 1956), MOSES THE LAWGIVER (1974; TV Mini-Series), the relevant three-part entry in GREATEST HEREOS OF THE BIBLE (1978-79; TV Series), the animated THE PRINCE OF EGYPT (1998) and, the most recent (and most radical), EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS (2014; in which the leading man here, Ben Kingsley, also features). Incidentally, the film under review itself forms part of a series, spanning 8 years and 17 TV-movies, collectively dubbed "The Bible Collection" - of which I am only familiar with Ermanno Olmi's GENESIS: THE CREATION AND THE FLOOD (1994), Nicolas Roeg's SAMSON AND DELILAH (1996) and director Young's own JESUS (1999).
Despite its 183-minute duration and the over-familiarity (not to mention, repetitiveness) of the proceedings, the pacing surprisingly only occasionally drags its feet throughout; that said, the brownish hue of the cinematography (sometimes undercut by more appealing bluish tones) lends the whole an unnecessary drabness! Anyway, the film brings together a reasonably competent crowd in the way of cast (albeit not all were readily discernible!) and crew: music consultant Ennio Morricone, Ben Kingsley (in the faithfully-rendered title role, having the same year already essayed the role of another Egyptian Hebrew, JOSEPH - also helmed by Young), Sonia Braga (her role of Moses' spouse Sephora is grossly underplayed!), Anna Galiena (as Moses' noble surrogate mother), Anthony Higgins, Frank Langella (as the new Pharaoh and Moses' former Egyptian 'brother'), Christopher Lee (briefly seen as the surly Ramses {sic}), Philippe Leroy, Enrico Lo Verso (as Joshua, Moses' successor), Geraldine McEwan (as Moses' sister Miriam), Maurice Roeves (as the inevitable opponent to Moses among his own people), Philip Stone (as Moses' father-in-law - occupying, oddly enough, a prominent part!), David Suchet (as Moses' brother Aaron) and Dudley Sutton.
Moses' life in Egypt is rather swiftly dealt with (a mere half an hour in, he has already embraced his Jewish faith!) - but, then, it goes farther than most after the climactic Ten Commandments 'incident' (notably, Miriam's turning against her own brother and its depiction of the demise of all three siblings). Ultimately, this is typically reverent fare (certainly in keeping with, and on the level of, the other entries in "The Bible Collection"): worthwhile - if mainly for the sake of comparison - and, while technically proficient enough, emerges as dramatically uninspired in the long run.
Despite its 183-minute duration and the over-familiarity (not to mention, repetitiveness) of the proceedings, the pacing surprisingly only occasionally drags its feet throughout; that said, the brownish hue of the cinematography (sometimes undercut by more appealing bluish tones) lends the whole an unnecessary drabness! Anyway, the film brings together a reasonably competent crowd in the way of cast (albeit not all were readily discernible!) and crew: music consultant Ennio Morricone, Ben Kingsley (in the faithfully-rendered title role, having the same year already essayed the role of another Egyptian Hebrew, JOSEPH - also helmed by Young), Sonia Braga (her role of Moses' spouse Sephora is grossly underplayed!), Anna Galiena (as Moses' noble surrogate mother), Anthony Higgins, Frank Langella (as the new Pharaoh and Moses' former Egyptian 'brother'), Christopher Lee (briefly seen as the surly Ramses {sic}), Philippe Leroy, Enrico Lo Verso (as Joshua, Moses' successor), Geraldine McEwan (as Moses' sister Miriam), Maurice Roeves (as the inevitable opponent to Moses among his own people), Philip Stone (as Moses' father-in-law - occupying, oddly enough, a prominent part!), David Suchet (as Moses' brother Aaron) and Dudley Sutton.
Moses' life in Egypt is rather swiftly dealt with (a mere half an hour in, he has already embraced his Jewish faith!) - but, then, it goes farther than most after the climactic Ten Commandments 'incident' (notably, Miriam's turning against her own brother and its depiction of the demise of all three siblings). Ultimately, this is typically reverent fare (certainly in keeping with, and on the level of, the other entries in "The Bible Collection"): worthwhile - if mainly for the sake of comparison - and, while technically proficient enough, emerges as dramatically uninspired in the long run.
The Most Faithful Adaptation of the Exodus and the Best
bryan-mccarthy5 July 2016
I would like to start with the statement that I am an intelligent man who has actually read the bible. I know what is correct and what is not correct. This may not be the most glamorous or fast-moving adaptation of the Exodus by why have those when you have this which is truest to life and truest to scriptures?
Moses stutters like in the bible and for an added bonus he feels inferior and and is laughed at by the Egyptian court. He became a man confused and tormented by his origins, wondered if he was Egyptian or Hebrew and when he killed an Egyptian in anger and he fled from his mistake. When he found peace in Midian, Moses begged God not to send him back to Egypt to free the Hebrews. This is a human Moses who doubts God at times yet still keeps his faith. This is a Moses that endured disappointments, hardships and setbacks and fulfilled his God-given mission. This Moses is Moses.
As for the addition of Jethro advising Moses, it is a very moving scene and unless you are a heartless beast like some reviewers on here you will be moved by Jethro's advising of Moses. For another moving scene there is when Moses assembles the Hebrews to hear God's voice. While some flee in fear there are those who stand up and feel the spirit of God himself.
Now, I would like to give some information about the choice of Pharaohs. Moses' date of birth was first given as 1391 BC in Seder Olam Rabbah, a second century Hebrew language chronology. Later the Christian Jerome gave it as 1592 BC. The final date of birth given is 1571 BC by James Ussher. Ramesses II was not born until 1303 BC meaning that "The Ten Commandments" got the Pharaoh of the Exodus wrong. By default this also means that Merneptah, the Pharaoh of the Exodus in this film, is not the correct Pharaoh either. Going by the dates of birth, Moses being eighty at the time of the Exodus and lining this up with Egyptian history the Pharaoh would be Horemheb (1311), Thutmose I (1512) or Thutmose II (1491). I don't hold the decision of Merneptah being the Pharaoh of the Exodus against the film, I find it preferable to the endless parade of Ramesses II that Cecil B. DeMille has spawned. Ramesses II still appears but thankfully he is the Pharaoh of the Oppression so I don't have to suffer any DeMille imitation.
There is excellent actors in this, an excellent script and the production values are enough to put DeMille to shame. This is the most faithful and best adaptation of the Exodus out there. All you need is the intelligence and heart to see it.
Moses stutters like in the bible and for an added bonus he feels inferior and and is laughed at by the Egyptian court. He became a man confused and tormented by his origins, wondered if he was Egyptian or Hebrew and when he killed an Egyptian in anger and he fled from his mistake. When he found peace in Midian, Moses begged God not to send him back to Egypt to free the Hebrews. This is a human Moses who doubts God at times yet still keeps his faith. This is a Moses that endured disappointments, hardships and setbacks and fulfilled his God-given mission. This Moses is Moses.
As for the addition of Jethro advising Moses, it is a very moving scene and unless you are a heartless beast like some reviewers on here you will be moved by Jethro's advising of Moses. For another moving scene there is when Moses assembles the Hebrews to hear God's voice. While some flee in fear there are those who stand up and feel the spirit of God himself.
Now, I would like to give some information about the choice of Pharaohs. Moses' date of birth was first given as 1391 BC in Seder Olam Rabbah, a second century Hebrew language chronology. Later the Christian Jerome gave it as 1592 BC. The final date of birth given is 1571 BC by James Ussher. Ramesses II was not born until 1303 BC meaning that "The Ten Commandments" got the Pharaoh of the Exodus wrong. By default this also means that Merneptah, the Pharaoh of the Exodus in this film, is not the correct Pharaoh either. Going by the dates of birth, Moses being eighty at the time of the Exodus and lining this up with Egyptian history the Pharaoh would be Horemheb (1311), Thutmose I (1512) or Thutmose II (1491). I don't hold the decision of Merneptah being the Pharaoh of the Exodus against the film, I find it preferable to the endless parade of Ramesses II that Cecil B. DeMille has spawned. Ramesses II still appears but thankfully he is the Pharaoh of the Oppression so I don't have to suffer any DeMille imitation.
There is excellent actors in this, an excellent script and the production values are enough to put DeMille to shame. This is the most faithful and best adaptation of the Exodus out there. All you need is the intelligence and heart to see it.
The whole Moses story from his troublesome beginning to the end of his life.
clanciai3 January 2015
This is probably the most beautiful of all the Moses films, and the poor colors of the film is rather an asset to its substance and character than a failure, like a sepia haze veiling the whole film in desert colors. Ben Kingsley makes a very different Moses from Burt Lancaster and Charlton Heston, much more human and sensitive, which could be nearer to the truth. His doubts and shortcomings are more convincing than Charlton Heston's icon and Burt Lancaster's authoritarian hardness. Like in "Moses the Lawgiver" with Burt Lancaster, Aaron is here given an important prominence and is impressively played by David Suchet, who almost transcends Ben Kingsley. Pharaoh is impressively played by Frank Langella and couldn't be more convincing, although, just like in "Moses the Lawgiver", he is entirely wrong. Ramses II was the Pharaoh at the time, Merenphtah ruled only for a short time after his death as an already old man, and Yul Brunner remains the best Pharaoh on film in "The Ten Commandments", which by general consent remains the best Moses film even after almost 60 years. Ennio Morricone succeeds even better in this film with the music than he did in the Burt Lancaster version, it guilds and caresses every scene in perfect moods and colors and adds to the very sensitive portrayal of the Moses complexities, which remain inexplicable to this day. This is perhaps the only Moses film to really love.
Its Horrible
Raminka217 December 2006
I found the movie inaccurate. I don't agree with is twisting parts that are actually in the bible to make them more dramatic or interesting or making things up that were never mentioned in the original story (The Bible). The description of Moses and his character are horrible. This is more of a fictional script than a movie based on a bible story. It seems like the director just add and subtracted whatever he wanted. If you are going to do that, then don't advertise this movie as a story based on the bible! Maybe he should read that story from the bible and compare it to his disgraceful movie. Here are some examples from the movie that are not accurate: 1. The movie states that the Hebrew that Moses rescued from the Egyptian (when he killed the Egyptian) was Aaron, his brother. Such a thing is not mentioned in the bible, and in my opinion if that was the case, and Moses truly saved his own brother, it would've been mentioned. (Exodus 2:11-12) 2. Also, I really didn't not like the scene when Moses goes back to his father in law Jethro and tells him about what happened, that is not mentioned in the bible at all. The bible states that he went to his father in law and asked him to leave to Egypt. (Exodus 4:18) and the whole story of Moses telling his father in law his life story, of how he cant find a God, and he had two mothers, and he is a murderer is just doesn't seem appropriate. Jethro did not push Moses to go to Egypt. Moses had faith! He heard from God and he went to his father in law and plainly asked him to leave. He was not being a baby about it! And he definitely was not questioning whether it was God or not and mocking the signs that God gave him by throwing his rode on the floor in front of Jethro and testing God!
I wont give you any more examples because honestly I turned the movie off after 43 minutes of watching it. Anyone who knows the bible will find this movie offensive. It's a joke.
I wont give you any more examples because honestly I turned the movie off after 43 minutes of watching it. Anyone who knows the bible will find this movie offensive. It's a joke.
3 hours later and all I can say is, "Is that all?"
Wookiee-Monster21 August 2005
Yesh, I wanted more! Honestly, I was completely captivated by this film. After having read that part of scripture, I was overwhelming pleased with the attention to detail in remaining true to scriptural accuracy. Time and again I found myself saying out loud, "I remember reading that part!" or "They sure didn't bother to include that in the version with Charleton Heston." Which I DID like, by the way :).
There were several scenes that brought me to the brink of tears. It was truly an emotionally charged film with most excellent acting.
I had the pleasure of watching it in its entirety and uninterrupted on Trinity Broadcasting Network only taking a run to the restroom and a quick change of my laundry in under 5 minutes. HA!
There were several scenes that brought me to the brink of tears. It was truly an emotionally charged film with most excellent acting.
I had the pleasure of watching it in its entirety and uninterrupted on Trinity Broadcasting Network only taking a run to the restroom and a quick change of my laundry in under 5 minutes. HA!
Kingsley not the best Moses
tthylayia26 December 2018
admirable work
Vincentiu24 December 2014
it is not easy to present this Biblical episode. not only for special effects but for the right cast who reminds the profound nuances of Moses fight for his people, the relation with God and the vulnerability of a man who has victim of a huge mission. in this case all is at perfect place. the drama, the music, the acting, the hero looking the best manner to save the Jews. and the heart of that good job is the desire to not be another film about Moses and his people but a decent illustration of Saint Book story about a legendary leader. Ben Kingsley does an admirable role using each nuance of script at high level. result - more than an impressive religious film, it is a honest eulogy to freedom and to sacrifice as root of it. a film for a good series who translate in wise manner one of the great historical moments of ours cultural treasure.
Where is Cecil B. DeMille now that we need him?
fisherforrest16 September 2006
Warning: Spoilers
This outing of the Moses and the Ten Commandments mythology tale offers us a more human Moses than some of the others. He exhibits self-doubt on a number of occasions and wavers a bit here and there, which I suppose will offend the true believers of all faiths that take the Bible and the Quran as the inspired word of "God". For myself, a life-long free thinker and skeptic, the Moses story is an exciting one, but is after all mythology. Most of the old Greek mythology tales are equally exciting, but I don't regard them as fact either.
Ben Kingsley (Moses), Christopher Lee (Ramses), and others of the cast give lively performances which I would describe as satisfying, if not exactly great. My most serious quibble is the uninspired direction and hectic editing, characteristic of most made for TV productions. As to the episodic editing, though, perhaps it isn't reasonable to be too critical. After all, the three hour movie covers about 80 years of "history". You surely are not going to mistake this "Moses" as a made for the theatre production. Wouldn't you really like to see a resurrected C.B.DeMille direct a modern Moses in wide-screen Panavision and full rich Technicolor. The colour process used for this one is not even barely adequate. Don't read any further if you don't want to know the outcome in advance.
I promised you a "spoiler". Guess what. Moses doesn't get to enter the "promised land" after all his 40 years in the wilderness. Are any of you surprised? He attributes this to having struck the rock twice to make it spew forth water. Was that really in the Bible? I don't seem to recall it. Not the rock and the water, the striking twice.
Ben Kingsley (Moses), Christopher Lee (Ramses), and others of the cast give lively performances which I would describe as satisfying, if not exactly great. My most serious quibble is the uninspired direction and hectic editing, characteristic of most made for TV productions. As to the episodic editing, though, perhaps it isn't reasonable to be too critical. After all, the three hour movie covers about 80 years of "history". You surely are not going to mistake this "Moses" as a made for the theatre production. Wouldn't you really like to see a resurrected C.B.DeMille direct a modern Moses in wide-screen Panavision and full rich Technicolor. The colour process used for this one is not even barely adequate. Don't read any further if you don't want to know the outcome in advance.
I promised you a "spoiler". Guess what. Moses doesn't get to enter the "promised land" after all his 40 years in the wilderness. Are any of you surprised? He attributes this to having struck the rock twice to make it spew forth water. Was that really in the Bible? I don't seem to recall it. Not the rock and the water, the striking twice.
One of best biblical moive
amendouscho20 November 2022
Moses 1995. This movie has taken the aspect of bible as it is although there are other famous moses movie i prefer if you want some real moses movie you can watch this else if you want some graphical hollywood movies you can watch other titles.
My personal feel is this is 3 hour moses movie which exactly wrote according to Book of moses in Bible.
Short Review This movie start with moses birth and shown his growth in pharogh kingdom then he find that those people are his own people and fight for them then god call him and take them from egypt I agree this movie lack in technology rather it good at the actual biblical movement. You can just read bible side by side to see it so you can understand 10/10 overall.
My personal feel is this is 3 hour moses movie which exactly wrote according to Book of moses in Bible.
Short Review This movie start with moses birth and shown his growth in pharogh kingdom then he find that those people are his own people and fight for them then god call him and take them from egypt I agree this movie lack in technology rather it good at the actual biblical movement. You can just read bible side by side to see it so you can understand 10/10 overall.
Not accurate and horribly acted by Kingsley
storagejeff5 September 2006
Warning: Spoilers
I am a huge fan of Ben Kingsley, but this was terrible overacting on his part. The problem of this movie isn't acting, though. The inaccuracy of the movie is its greatest problem. This is the story of Moses according to a certain sect within the Protestant religion, and not an accurate description of the Bible account. The discrepancies are so huge between the movie and the Bible that they can not be called artistic license or a misinterpretation. The movie promotes so many lies with the story of Moses that this movie is more of a work of fiction that a Bible story. Some examples of the inaccuracies are: 1)Moses strongly doubts his encounter with God at the burning bush and is pushed into serving God by his father-in-law and his wife. 2)Pharoah's priests don't use Satan's power to turn two staffs into serpents, and Moses' serpent does not consume the two serpents of the devil. In the movie the Egyptian priests only use tricks to turn the staffs in serpents. 3)Moses commands Joshua and others to blot out the calf worshipers' name by physically killing them.
There are more discrepancies than these but these are enough to show that this movie deviates from the Bible so much that a devote Christian or Jew would be seriously offended.
There are more discrepancies than these but these are enough to show that this movie deviates from the Bible so much that a devote Christian or Jew would be seriously offended.
Great epic!
JayCabuay27 January 2002
Before this movie, I never really went for Drama. But this movie captivated me. I found the acting great, but two things seemed a bit off. The first thing is that the actors spoke with British accents. The second thing is that the actors seemed to have really nice teeth. I remember one scene where one of the Israelite opponents of Moses was looking up at him (I think this was on the part when there were very strong winds and the people heard the Voice of God), and the dude's teeth were straight and white. I know that funky black teeth aren't exactly appealing, but this was five millenia before Jesus Christ walked the earth, flouride had yet to be invented. But otherwise, the movie is great, it is strongly reccomended.
Moses kills babies.
marlowmaggie7 December 2015
Moses is a dick. Many plot holes. Why can he speak at the end? Why are the Egyptians white? Why does Moses stand in front of the water for so long? The water scene reminded me of the Great Wolf Lodge. Was that supposed to happen? Speaking of the Great Wolf Lodge, why are the wands $40?? Who spends that much on a wand? Besides Harry Potter. Speaking of Harry Potter, the snake from the staff reminds me of the snake in Harry Potter. Is it the same snake? He must be really rich. It is too bad that this terrible movie is now on his resume. What would Jesus think of this terrible addition to film history? I think he would be appalled.
only a man
Kirpianuscus22 December 2015
an useful film. for discover Moses as simple man in extraordinaries situations. his humanity, his fear, his faith not as expression of power but as axis of mission. Ben Kingsley is not the hero or the special leader. his Moses is only a man. man of a high duty and the photography, costumes, precise measure of dialogs and scenes are inspired tools for discover , in different version, a well known story. a surprising form of poetry gives force to the film. a wise manner to suggest transforms the work of Kingsley and Suchet in a kind of embroidery. a film who not propose a myth. or a statue. but a simple man and his hard fight against himself, the sacrifice for his people. the result is admirable.
The announcement before starting...
andreibalas28229 March 2024
Clearly the announcement before the start of this tv-show stated that's an Abrahamic religion joke.
Outside an ofense added to the ancient Egyptians and Ramesses II this is clearly another useless show like the one with the black Cleopatra, nothing more nothing less, you want to know what happens in it? Then probably you are from an Abrahamic religion other than that probably should be viewed like a fictional story and that is that.
Saying that this was created with multiple historians is just another wtf are you doing Netflix?
Theology was and would not be an historic fact, when everything is in a library with exclusive access and clearly not to mention that the bible is a bunch of nonsense and paragraphs that are in antonims with other paragraphs, after all was written by sheepards to be translated by kings and the faithful one's to be the sheep's, anyway another useless Abraham religion show, nothing more nothing less.
Outside an ofense added to the ancient Egyptians and Ramesses II this is clearly another useless show like the one with the black Cleopatra, nothing more nothing less, you want to know what happens in it? Then probably you are from an Abrahamic religion other than that probably should be viewed like a fictional story and that is that.
Saying that this was created with multiple historians is just another wtf are you doing Netflix?
Theology was and would not be an historic fact, when everything is in a library with exclusive access and clearly not to mention that the bible is a bunch of nonsense and paragraphs that are in antonims with other paragraphs, after all was written by sheepards to be translated by kings and the faithful one's to be the sheep's, anyway another useless Abraham religion show, nothing more nothing less.
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