Resource | Moses at the Movies | Lectionary 30 A | Deuteronomy 34:1-12

The Ten Commandments (1956).

Featuring Charlton Heston (Moses) and Yul Brynner (Rameses II).

The death of Moses is foreshadowed in the final scene of Cecil B. DeMille’s epic, the final film he directed before his death in 1959. Forbidden by the Lord to enter the Promised Land, Moses says good-bye to his wife, known in this film by her Greek name “Sephora” (Yvonne De Carlo). Passing leadership to his successor, Moses gives his staff and mantle to Joshua. As Moses lays his hands on Joshua’s head, he responds, “As for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Moses instructs Aaron (John Carradine) to give Eleazar (Paul De Rolf) the Books of Law to put in the Ark of the Covenant. Moses sends the Israelites (and movie viewers) out with the commission: “Go! Proclaim liberty throughout all the lands to all the inhabitants thereof” (Leviticus 25:10).

Resource | Moses at the Movies | Lectionary 27 A | Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20

The Ten Commandments (1923)

Featuring Theodore Roberts (Moses).

The story of Moses makes up the first part of Cecil B. DeMille’s silent film, a precursor to the 1956 epic film.  Moses receives the Ten Commandments in dramatic fashion. Each is “written with the finger of God” through primitive--but impressive--special effects. Moses then inscribes them on tablets.  You can watch clips at www.tinyrurl.com/MosesMovie07.

 

Resource | Moses at the Movies | Lectionary 26A | Exodus 17:1-7

 

Moses (1995)

Starring Ben Kingsley (Moses), David Suchet (Aaron),  and Enrico Lo Verso (Joshua).  

The “water from the rock” story is often left out of movies depicting the Exodus.  However, this movie does include a parallel story from the book of Numbers.  In this scene, Moses is mourning the death of his sister, and we see him lash out in anguish, grief, and anger.  Quite a contrast to the emotions seen in last week’s film clip. Watch the scene at tinyurl.com/MosesMovie06.

 

Resource | Moses at the Movies | Lectionary 25A | Exodus 16:2-15

 

Moses (1995).  

Starring Ben Kingsley (Moses), Frank Langella (Merneptah), Christopher Lee (Ramesses), and Geraldine McEwan (Miriam).  

The Israelites awaken to discover “manna” falling like large snowflakes.  As it accumulates on shrubs, they taste this bread from heaven.  “It is delicious!”  “Like coriander seed!”  After the intense scenes we’ve watched in previous weeks, it is nice to see the joyful expressions on the faces of Moses, Miriam, Aaron, and the others as they receive the gifts of manna and quail from the Lord.  Watch a short clip at tinyurl.com/MosesMovie05.

 

Resource | Moses at the Movies | Lectionary 24A | Exodus 14:19-31

The Prince of Egypt (1998).  

Featuring the voices of Sandra Bullock (Miriam), Sally Dworsky (Miriam singing voice), Michelle Pfeiffer (Tzipporah).  

After the plagues and the death of the first born, Moses leads the Hebrew people out of Egypt.  As they leave, Miriam and Tzipporah sing “When You Believe.”  The Hebrew children sing words from Exodus 15, verses 1, 11, and 13.  The song received an Academy Award for Best Music, Original Song, in 1999.  Watch it at tinyurl.com/MosesMovie4a  Continue watching as the people of God cross the Red Sea and watch for the whale shark!  Visit tinyurl.com/MosesMovie4b

   

Resource | Moses at the Movies | Lectionary 23A | Exodus 12:1-14

"Moses" Testament: The Bible in Animation (1996).  Featuring the voice of Martin Jarvis (Moses), Simon Callow (Merneptah).  This animated series uses a variety of animation styles to depict some of the most well-known stories of the Old Testament: oil painting, paint on glass, stop motion photography, and traditional cel animation.  In the Moses episode, cel animation is used, with the animators depicting the characters in an angular, exaggerated manner.  As Moses gives instructions for the Passover meal (19:30 into the episode), open windows and closed doors are used to tell the story as if they were panels in a comic strip.  Watch at tinyurl.com/MosesMovie03b

 

Resource | Moses at the Movies | Lectionary 22A | Exodus 3:1-15

The Ten Commandments (2006)

Starring Dougray Scott (Moses), Naveen Andrews (Menerith), Omar Sharif (Jethro).

While the special effects in this made-for-TV mini-series are not movie quality, Scott’s acting provides a convincing Moses, described in the Bible as “slow of speech and slow of tongue.” In the “Burning Bush” scene, Moses stutters: “Don’t send me—don’t send me—I am not a person you need—I can’t do this—I can’t do this!”

Resource | Moses at the Movies | Lectionary 21A | Exodus 1:8-2:10

The Prince of Egypt (1998)

Featuring the voices of Ofra Haza (Yocheved) and Eden Riegel (Young Miriam).

 

In the “Deliver Us/River Lullaby” scene, a tearful Yocheved hides her infant son in a basket and sets him adrift on the Nile. However, the river is no place for a baby, as the basket evades crocodiles, hippopotami, and fishing boats before finding safety in the bathing pools of the Egyptian royal palace. View at tinyurl.com/MosesMovie01