Watch The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments (Part 1) is an epic retelling of the biblical story of Moses, who was chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. The movie stars Dougray Scott as Moses, Linus Roache as Pharaoh Ramses and Naveen Andrews as Hebrew slave Dathan. The movie begins with the birth of Moses, who is saved from the cruel decree of Pharaoh that all Hebrew baby boys be killed by being set adrift in a basket on the Nile river. He is found and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter Bithiah (played by Mía Maestro) and grows up as an Egyptian prince, unaware of his true identity.

As a young man, Moses becomes aware of the plight of his people, the Hebrews, and is shocked and outraged by their enslavement. He saves the life of another Hebrew slave, Dathan, and kills an Egyptian overseer who is beating a Hebrew worker. Fearing retribution, Moses flees Egypt and journeys to the land of Midian, where he marries a woman named Zipporah (played by Padma Lakshmi) and becomes a shepherd.

Years later, Moses hears the voice of God calling him from a burning bush, and God instructs him to return to Egypt to free the Hebrews. Moses initially resists, but eventually agrees to carry out God's plan. Upon his return to Egypt, Moses confronts Pharaoh Ramses and demands that he let the Hebrews go. Ramses refuses, and God sends a series of plagues upon Egypt. The plagues include turning the Nile river into blood, a swarm of locusts, and the death of the firstborns of Egypt.

The movie portrays the struggle between Moses and Ramses, with Ramses determined to maintain his power and control over the Hebrew slaves, while Moses tries to convince him to release them. The relationship between Moses and Ramses is complex, with Ramses seeing Moses as a brother while Moses feels betrayed by Ramses for not freeing his people.

The movie also explores the relationships between the Hebrew slaves, with some, like Dathan, reluctant to follow Moses and risk angering Pharaoh, while others are eager for freedom and believe in Moses' leadership. The struggle is not just between Moses and Pharaoh, but between those who seek freedom and those who are content to stay in their current situation.

The Ten Commandments (Part 1) is a visually stunning movie, with beautiful cinematography and special effects that recreate the awe-inspiring moments of the biblical story. The scenes of the plagues are particularly striking, with the filmmakers using a combination of practical and digital effects to create a sense of the supernatural.

The movie is also rich in symbolism, exploring themes of faith, redemption and obedience to God, and the struggle for freedom. The story of Moses is not just one of physical emancipation, but also of spiritual liberation, as he comes to understand his true identity and purpose in life. The film portrays this journey in a powerful and moving way, with Dougray Scott giving a strong performance as Moses, conveying both his doubts and his conviction in his mission.

Overall, The Ten Commandments (Part 1) is a compelling retelling of the biblical story of Moses, with strong performances, beautiful visuals, and themes that resonate with audiences of all ages. Whether you are religious or not, this movie is worth watching for its universal message of hope and perseverance in the face of hardship.