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The Commandments: 70 Years of a Blockbuster Epic
4 Apr
Summary
- The parting of the Red Sea scene took six months to film.
- The film was the most expensive of its time.
- It earned $122.7 million, equivalent to nearly $1.5 billion today.
Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten Commandments," released in 1956, has endured as a cinematic classic for seven decades. The production was a monumental effort, involving extensive time and resources. Notably, the challenging sequence depicting the parting of the Red Sea required a remarkable six months to complete, utilizing innovative techniques like rear projection and optical photography in the absence of computer effects.
The creation of the water effects involved a massive ramp and 360,000 gallons of water, manipulated to create the illusion of the sea parting. Filming this scene last was strategic, as the props, including chariots, were destroyed during the water effects. Charlton Heston, portraying Moses, filmed his scenes against a blue screen, later combined with matte paintings and optical printing to construct the grand desert landscapes.
"The Ten Commandments" held the title of the most expensive film produced at that time. Upon its release, it achieved immense financial success, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1956 and the second most successful of the decade. It garnered $122.7 million, which translates to approximately $1.5 billion in today's economic value. The film is scheduled to air on ABC on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET.
