Cecil B. DeMille’s 1956 epic was the most expensive film ever made at its release.

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before it became a perennial television staple, The Ten Commandments was a monumental production that redefined the biblical epic. Driven by a director who saw the story as a timeless bedrock of human freedom, the film combined massive sets, historical research, and a star-studded cast to capture the life of Moses.

Producer-director Cecil B. DeMille began planning his 1956 remake of his own 1923 silent film in 1952. Seeking to capture a spiritual reawakening in the post-World War II era, DeMille rejected modern-day storylines in favor of the biblical account, which he believed could speak for itself. The production was a massive undertaking, filmed on location in Egypt and the Sinai Peninsula in 1954, followed by interior work on Hollywood soundstages in 1955.

To ensure historical depth, researcher Henry Noerdlinger consulted nearly 3,000 source materials, including ancient texts by Philo and Josephus to fill the 26-year gap in the biblical narrative of Moses' life. The screenplay, which took three years to write, was divided into four phases: prince, shepherd, deliverer, and lawgiver. DeMille utilized a team of four writers, including Jesse L. Lasky Jr. and Fredric M. Frank, to craft a script that balanced dramatic tension with spiritual themes.

The casting process was equally rigorous, involving a search for stars who could embody the film's scale. Charlton Heston was chosen as Moses after impressing DeMille with his knowledge of ancient Egypt and his physical resemblance to Michelangelo’s sculpture. Yul Brynner was cast as Rameses after a brief, seven-and-a-half-minute meeting with the director. Other notable casting choices included Edward G. Robinson, whose role as Dathan helped restore his career after being blacklisted, and Yvonne De Carlo, who was cast as Sephora after DeMille recognized her emotional depth.

Upon its release on November 8, 1956, the film became a massive financial success, grossing approximately $122.7 million during its initial run. It won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects in 1957 and was later selected for the National Film Registry in 1999. Today, it remains a cultural touchstone, having aired annually on U.S. television during the Passover and Easter season since 1973.

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