Paramount is Short-Changing Movie Buffs with this one

Like many admirers of DeMille, I was delighted when this 50th Anniversary Edition appeared but then, profoundly disappointed with what it contains. This movie has had two previous DVD releases and to my eyes, the presentation here is not an improvement on earlier outings.

Unlike Warners magnificent restoration of THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, GONE WITH THE WIND and WIZARD OF OZ (amng others) which were digitally restored, frame by frame, Paramount has merely assembled the best archive print it can and remixed the soundtrack.

As for the "extras", surely a film which was in production & pre-production for almost 5 years & cost $13 million to make , had a ton of archive materials - photos, stills, memos, storyboards etc- that could have been included? The documentary seemed underproduced and cheaply done. Where was Debra Paget? Where was Nina Foch? Where was Yvonne De Carlo? All major players in the film and still very much alive! What great memories they would have had to share! Instead, we get an old interview with Heston and two minor bitpart players (one, Eugene Mazzola who played Ramses son, offers little as he was only 12 at the time!). And what about Clint Walker? Every time he makes an appearance as a guard (which is often), we are told this by the irritating commentator, as though it was some momentous event - well, if so, why didn't they interview him? He's a nice guy & loves talking about his career.

So, Paramount, I am giving the DVD set just 3 stars but only because it is good to finally have the silent version available at last. But given the fact that De Mille's own private archive is extensive and comprehensive I am surprised the De Mille Estate was not more fully involved in this.

Three DVDs in a matter of 8 years seems to me to be milking the cow without any effort. Will there be a Super Collectors' Edition next year? If so, I hope it's an improvement on this!
An opportunity missed!

Big Epic, Great DVD Edition

OK, Cecil B. Demille's 56 version (and 23 version as well) are not the best movies ever made. There are biblical and hsitorical inaccuracies as well as at times stage play and over-the-top acting; but in all, this film is spectacular, because like its subject, it is a big specticle, with lavish sets and scenes.

The 56 film is actually 4 star rating because at times there are just goofy scenes (the three girls posing during the opening of the Red Sea), but Heston, Baxtor, De Carlo (arguably the film's best performance) and of course, Brynner are outstanding! I cannot, however, bring myself to place this anything under a five, because of sentimentallity and its over all DVD package (two movies and extras for a great low price).

The extras are nice as several members are interviewed who either acted (including Heston), worked, or knew those who did, on the 56 film. This is a fun, great film, that also has a message about freedom, law, and faith. Enjoy!

Both DeMille versions for comparison on one DVD!

DeMille's first Commandments film is a big enough effort and it's really two films in one. If one only sees the first film with no other Biblical knowledge one would think Moses was not even related by adoption to the Egyptian royal family. He seems like a total stranger to the Pharoah he pleads with to let the Israelites go. BTW the Biblical prologue is longer than 20 minutes (unlike what a poster said).

The starring Heston fleshes Moses's background a good deal more and is a much larger and better production. And more famous too.