Moses the Lawgiver (1974) User Reviews (16)

Long running TV adaptation about Biblical leader who led Jews out of Egypt

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 23 January 2013]

Spectacular story produced by Italian RAI television with all-star-cast such as Burt Lancaster as Moses , Anthony Quayle as Aaron , Ingrid Thulin as Miriam , Irene Papas as Zipporah and narrated by Richard Johnson . Biblical and evocative tale that deals with Moses , the Hebrew lawgiver . Evocative adaptation about known story , it recounts the greatest Bible story ever told , a journey through the Holy Land that focuses Moses (Burt Lancaster, great appearance as the liberator of the Israelites, forever typecast him as the sort for epics , along with Charlton Heston) , the Hebrew leader , leading the Jews out of Egypt and realized in Italian style . This is the wonderful story about an extraordinary man receiving a holy calling , and follows his life from birth , abandonment , slavery and trials in leading the Jews ; this is the greatest event in epic motion picture history . Biblical story developed in on a great scale though no such as the classic Cecil B. De Mille's version . An Egyptian prince named Moses (Bill Lancaster , Burt's son) who is adopted and brought up in the court by an Egyptian princess (Mariangela Melato) and learns of his identity as a Hebrew and later his destiny to become the chosen deliverer of his people . This vivid storytelling although fairly standard follows appropriately the Moses'life , the son of a Jew slave , from birth and abandonment on a basket over river Nile , as when the Pharaoh ordered the killing of all newborn babies , being pick up by Egyptian princesses and he's raised in the royal court , becoming into Prince of Egypt . One time grown-up Moses (Bill Lancaster as Young Moses) embarks a supernatural mission , as the Egyptian Prince , learns of his true heritage as a Hebrew and his divine mission as the deliverer of his people , getting the freedom for Hebrews . When his Hebrew origin is revealed , Moses is cast out of Egypt , and makes his way across the desert . Then , Moses retires out of Egypt where meets Jethro , marring him with his daughter Sefora . The stoic Moses along with his brothers Aaron (Anthony Quayle) and Miriam (Ingrid Thulin) confront Pharaoh Mernefta (Laurent Terzieff). Moses asks Pharaoh to liberate them but he refuses, causing the Egyptian plagues : invasion of locusts , fogs , epidemic , water become in blood and death of the first-born . As Moses instructs the slaves to put lamb's blood above their doors for protection and in the night , the angel of death comes , and passes over the protected doors . In the homes of the Egyptians where there is no protective sign , the angel kills off the first born children of Egypt, including Pharaoh' son . Moses goes to his brother after this , and is given permission to take the Jews . Moses takes charge of God's people and wrests them from Pharaoh's punishing grip . Moses like liberator of the Jewish leads his people throughout desert battling enemies and with holy intervention . Finally , Moses climbs the Mount of Sinai bringing the holy tablets , meanwhile Jewish people worshipping the golden calf .

This is a monumental TV version of the Biblic book of ¨Exodus ¨ with production design carried out in utter conviction and passable special effects professionally made by the great Mario Bava , including the parting of the Red Sea ; in spite of the time effects still look acceptable . The production team formed by Sir Lew Grade and Vincenzo Labella conferred with roughly experts to make the film as accurate as possible and ample participation by various screenwriters as Vittorio Bonicelli , Anthony Burgess , Bernardino Zapponi and the same director Gianfranco De Bosio . Obviously changes were made to the story to make it work as a Biblical feature , in fact , there is a short list of differences between the movie and the Biblic account of the Exodus . Serious acting by veteran Burt Lancaster who plays a sober Moses. Just as Charlton Heston's son Fraser played the infant Moses in Ten commandments (1956), Burt Lancaster's son Bill (as William) plays Moses as a young man . Secondary cast is frankly good , such as Ingrid Thulin , Marina Berti , Jacques Herlin , Umberto Raho , Simonetta Stefanelli , Michele Placido , Paul L. Smith , Mariangela Melato , among others . Glamorous and luxurious costume design by Enrico Sabbatini . Colorful cinematography by Marcello Gatti , being necessary a right remastering ; filmed on location in Morocco and Negev desert , Israel . Special mention to sensitive musical score by maestro Ennio Morricone , including an enjoyable leitmotif . This movie was the most expensive Italian TV series ever made at the time . However , watching in TV it makes lost most really spectacular scenarios on the small screen . The picture professionally directed by Gianfranco De Bossio is suitable for family viewing and religious people.

Other adaptations told in compactly form about this biblical story are the followings : classic mute (1923) by Cecil B. DeMille with Theodore Roberts , Charles Rochefort ; the second handling and the greatest , made in a gargantuan scale by Cecil B. DeMille (1956) played by Charlton Heston , Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter , Debra Paget , John Derek , Edward G. Robinson and Vincent Price . Furthermore , a new take on titled ¨In the beginning¨ (2000) by Kevin Connor with Billy Campbell as Moses , Christopher Lee as Seti and Art Malik as Rameses ; animated rendition (1998) titled ¨Prince of Egypt¨ produced by Dreamworks and directed by Simon Welles . And television rendition (2006) by Robert Dornhelm with Dougray Scott , Susan Lynch , Naveen Andrews , Paul Rhys , Omar Sharif , Linus Roache , among others

Get Cecil B. DeMille and Charlton Heston out of your mind before you start these five hours.

[mark.waltz · 7/10 · 26 December 2019]

I recall trying to watch this as a teenager, and instantly bored because of the lack of camp value. Certainly, the majestic cinerama of the 1956 Paramount version is enthralling with every detail perfect, even if there are unintentional laughs along the way. But this is a variation of the story that goes far out of its way to be different, and in some ways, you will see things here that are in the biblical story that are not included in the epic movie. Many of the falsehoods of the 1956 movie have been eliminated, and that includes the romantic triangle between Moses, Princess Neferetiri and the Pharaoh. Pharaoh does have a wife, but she is only a minor, nearly non-speaking character, only concerned with the love of her husband and the health of their child, interestingly cast with a beautiful black actress who could never be compared with the Caucasian Anne Baxter.

Gone along with this is the remainder of most of the court based dramas. Two elderly pharaohs have been combined into one, and the younger Pharaoh is seen as much younger than Moses, determined to bring him back into the court irregardless of his Hebrew birth after Moses returns from exile. The pharaoh is stubborn and proud because of his own ego rather than the manipulations of a woman, and this makes him more dangerous. There is little seen of the Princess Bithia and Moses' real mother, Yoshabel, and the characters of natural siblings Miriam and Aaron have limited importance other than Miriam's involvement in becoming a near sacrifice for the Golden Ram and Aaron's occasional priestly declarations once the Hebrews have left Egypt.

For the first episode, Bill Lancaster is seen as the young growing Moses, turning suddenly into Burt Lancaster when he is already married to Zepphorah and living at the foot of Mt. Sinai. Lancaster is soft spoken, certainly not booming in presence like Charlton Heston, so when Moses punishes those who have not kept the Sabbath holy, it comes as a bit of a shock. The violence here is overwhelming, whether it be the flinging of the babies into the river or the punishments which result as a breaking of God's newly presented law. One lawbreaker is flung off a mountain, pretty gruesome to see for such a Godly and still timely story.

Technically, this is quite good, not cinematic like the biblical epics of the 50's or 60's, but there are a few continuity flaws that are disturbing. The pharaoh chase leads nowhere, and some time elements have been cut out that eliminate necessary details. I don't think I could sit through all five hours of this again, well maybe in another 20 years, and by that time, I'll have watched the Cecil B. DeMille version another 3 or 4 times. The Ennio Morricone score is a mix of musical styles, often a sort of soft rock with a bit of a chanting sound that is appropriate for a bit of Gothic styling. I rate the individual episodes higher because when seen separately, they have a bigger impact than the series as a whole.

Moses saves the Hebrews from Egypt and gives them the ten commandments.

[clanciai · 7/10 · 3 January 2015]

This was evidently made to go more into details about the Moses case than was possible in "The Ten Commandments" of 1956, which remains the best Moses film. For this version Anthony Burgess among other writers were consulted to make deeper research into the problems, which results in a much more interesting and controversial picture of Moses with his more debatable sides and complexities such as his cruelty and intolerance. We did not see much of Aaron in "The Ten Commandments" while he is here lifted forth to great advantage, convincingly played by Anthony Quayle, showing both his merits and weaknesses. After all, Burt Lancaster gives a sympathetic interpretation of Moses, which completes the efforts of Charlton Heston, who was only convincing and interesting as the prince and fugitive from Egypt. Best, however, is Laurent Terzieff as Pharaoh Mernephta, who is presented as a very conciliatory and human ruler placed in a very delicate and tough spot, - although he is historically entirely wrong. Mernephtah succeeded Ramses II at 66 years of age and did not rule very long, while he is here presented as a very delicate young man. It is more probable that Ramses was the pharaoh who had to deal with Moses, but that's the only flaw of the film, to which Ennio Morricone had great pains in making suitable music. The Red Sea sequence is as always the highlight of the drama, no film can fail in making that a great spectacle, and here is even included Miriam's celebrations afterward, which adds to the films many deserts.

THE EDITED VERSION LACKS, SERIOUSLY

[leevmlafn1 · 26 August 2002]

This 2 hour version cuts out a lot of the interplay and character development of the mini-series that helps move the story along, and gives credence to the whole thing. If you can see the mini-series, do so.

The best thing about both the short and mini-series versions is the score by Ennio Morricone. He has composed one cue that I, personally, believe is the finest single cue he has ever written, and that is saying a lot, what with OVER 400 scores to his name. And Morricone, himself, called this one of his most difficult works at the time, having to compose, thru modern means, a score that depicts an ancient time and place. The score is magnificent, heart-wrenching, and haunting.

The most accurate Moses on historical background ever!!!

[elo-equipamentos · 6/10 · 24 August 2020]

Conceived as mini-series this overlong picture has a valuable attributes, it was rather accurate according the old testament and was shot on location, however when I saw lavish The Ten Commandments of 1955 then there isn't any kind of collating such large gap of strength, thus unbeatable, whatever was the aspect, it's in another pattern, Moses is plain and cheap as is easily be seen naturally along the picture, gross sets, poorest garments, scarce props, also the special effects done by the master Mario Bava is amiss, due the low budge and so on, in other hand a great foreigner supporting casting, Burt Lancaster portrays a great Moses, in historical background is untouchable and this way we shall be evaluate the movie itself and behold in this point of view, measure the great efforts to shot on location on a dry land with inappropriate sternly weather conditions at desert, sands, winds, in this specific point the assignment was fully accomplished, as a few numbers of votes this one is still unknown for the majority of IMDB's users, I saw it for the first time in early 1992 and now on DVD without any restoration, maybe never will be, sadly!!!

Resume:

First watch: 1992 / How many: 3 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 6.5

Modernist views, poor special effects, weak script distort Bible story

[SimonJack · 4/10 · 30 August 2015]

In spite of a stellar cast, this 1974 TV mini-series movie based on a Bible story misses the mark. "Moses the Lawgiver" does focus on Moses and his struggles with teaching the Israelites the covenant that God has established with them. But, because it relates to the Bible account of the exodus, and takes place in that setting, we should expect it to give a fair portrayal of the exodus. Unfortunately, it fails in much of its Bible tracking and technical production. And, it's also a weak modernist approach to the Bible story.

The special effects are amateurish. We see the signs and phenomenal events with blurred and changing pictures. Examples are Moses' staff turning into a snake and back, his hand having leprosy and then being cleared, and the opening of the Red Sea for the people to cross. Other movies have much better and more realistic special effects. The script, camera work and editing are poor. Many camera shots use very close scenes with just a few people in them. That's probably because so few extras were used to represent the two to three million people of the exodus (based on Ex. 12: 37-38). Even when the movie shows the people beginning their exodus from wider angles, no more than a few dozen people are visible. They often are spread out, or in a winding column of only one or two abreast.

The Israelites left from Pi-Rameses on the exodus, and the Egyptians gave them gold, jewelry and valuables. But this film just shows people leaving a poorer housing area, with no sign of the grand city that they were building at the time. The spectacle of a mass migration of people fleeing Egypt is just not there; and that, in itself, is part of the phenomenal story from the Bible.

The film does cover five of the 10 plagues – the water turning to blood, the frogs, locusts, famine and the death of the first-born. But with the poor special effects, the water changing is hardly noticeable, and the film just touches on the other plagues – until the death of the first-born. But that takes place in clear daylight in the film, where it occurs at night in the Bible. The court setting of the pharaoh seems quite stark and not what antiquity says of the grandeur of the Egyptian rulers. And the pharaoh here is Merneftah who ruled but a couple of years. Most sources, based on the scant historical records there are, name Rameses II as pharaoh at the time of the exodus.

To its credit, this film does include the scouting party that checks out the Promised Land. It makes clear that the Israelites are condemned to roam another 40 years because they didn't trust in God to lead them to conquer the land. The film includes the Ten Commandments, the people rebelling and making the golden calf, the earthquake that swallows up the dissident Dathan, and the killing of the families of the dissidents. It shows Moses striking a rock to bring forth water, but he doesn't strike it twice. And, at the end of the film, Moses wonders why God wouldn't let him enter the Promised Land. The answer is quite clear in the Bible.

The movie has a number of other things that are in the Bible, but it only shows them briefly with no explanation for what they are or why. Examples are the Ark of the Covenant, the meeting tent, and the tabernacle. God gives Moses instructions for each of these in the Bible.

Finally, this film downplays the miraculous aspects of the signs God gave the people on their journey. As I mentioned, many others signs are left out (Miriam's leprosy and healing, seraph snakes biting and killing thousands, and then erection of a bronze snake to heal the people). But two signs take modernist approaches in the film that seem more preposterous than believing in intervention by God as in the Bible.

Moses tells Miriam about the quail that will be the source of meat, and he tells her that there is a manna that comes from a tamarisk tree that will be the bread. In the Bible, he promises them that God will send them quails in the evening and bread from heaven in the morning. He doesn't call it manna. When the people see it in the morning, they ask "What is it?" Translated from the Hebrew to the Greek, that is "manna" (Ex. 16:15).

The film has a scene with a lone tree and large flakes of white stuff floating around it. It's similar to what one sees when cottonwoods shed their cotton. There is such a tree that grows in arid regions, but it puts off a very small amount of resin drops a few weeks each year – beginning in June. They appear pearly and are about 1/8-inch in size. Moses tells the people to collect two liters (omers) for each person to eat each day. That would be four to six million liters each and every day for 40 years. If one tree could feed 100 people, there would have to be hundreds of thousands of such trees. It would take 40,000 to 60,000 for each day, and they would have to produce year round. As the Israelites kept moving, they would need more trees for the manna everywhere they went. So, has anyone ever seen a desert covered by forests? Indeed, does that make more sense than a miracle from God?

I can't recommend a film that is supposed to be based on a Bible story when it tries to revise the story so that its lesson is lost.

A very natural take on Moses

[Deusvolt · 10/10 · 21 October 2013]

I saw only the original broadcast mini-series and I was very moved and impressed. Burt Lancaster's portrayal of Moses is very natural, very human unlike the wooden Hollywood versions and I specifically recall Charlton Heston's acting as if he were on-stage in The Ten Commandments. Not Heston'fault though but Cecil B. De Mille's because practically all of the actors and even the extras in that movie acted that way. In some scenes they looked as if they were posing for Rembrandt's Night Watch painting.

Not in this Lancaster version though which portrays Moses with all his faults - his short temper and even disobedience to God. But in one scene where the people of the Exodus were celebrating their deliverance and Aaron worried that they were about to fall into orgiastic idolatry again, Moses showed practical wisdom and said: "Not this time" and allowed the festivities to go on. This TV movie mini-series is really more of a religious and philosophical education rather than mere entertainment.

Worst Moses ever

[hansbearnl · 2/10 · 3 January 2009]

I had high hopes when I bought this. Who knows, Burt Lancaster is not just any actor. But oh, was I wrong. Even though you have to consider the time (1974) when there were no blue screen and visual effects departments like in these days, the editor did a bad job. Beside that there more flaws. Simple things like 2 different baby's Moses... and the biggest question: where did the director get the story from? You don't have to believe in the Bible to watch this movie, but even then, the whole movie is based on things that are pure imagination of the director but have nothing to do with any of the biblical stories, or even Jewish tradition. It was a huge disappointment, and I advise everyone if they want to see a good movie, and closer to reality, to watch the movie classic the Ten Commandments.

Wonderful cinematic presentation

[ruggedchic · 8/10 · 21 May 2006]

This earthy and realistic film is an excellent piece of Biblical History. It is true to the story in the Bible and is very engaging. Anyone that loves the Bible or just a historical piece will appreciate the effort that went into this. Burt Lancaster's son Bill plays the young Moses and does a brilliant job! Burt, of course, picks up where his son leaves off and gives a great performance. When you watch the actors in the scenes of the desert you can feel the heat and sweat. The earthy tones in the film give it a distinct character. The narrator does an excellent job while not interfering with the story itself. The lavish scenery gives the viewer a feast to behold.

Dozes the Yawngiver

[NoDakTatum · 4/10 · 29 October 2023]

Despite a great performance by Burt Lancaster, this umpteenth telling of Moses' story suffers from a lack of direction on the film makers' part. In case you have not seen the superior "The Ten Commandments" or "The Prince of Egypt," here goes (in a nutshell): The Egyptian pharaoh decides to quash the Israelites by killing all of the male children. Baby Moses is put in a basket in the Nile by his sister, and he floats down to the pharaoh's palace, and is raised by the royal family. He leaves after seeing the injustices the Egyptians have put on the Israelites, and becomes a shepherd. He is picked by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt to the Promised Land, and brings God's word and wrath to the people of Egypt and his former "cousin," now the new pharaoh. After many plagues and curses, all done in a mediocre way by special effects guy Mario Bava, Moses leads his people into the desert, where they promptly start complaining more than a line of disgruntled consumers at the Wal-Mart return desk the morning after Christmas. Moses' faith is never shaken, despite the actions of his people, and God shows Moses the Promised Land, and deals with the complainers.

If you want the real story of Moses, read a book called The Holy Bible, it explains things much better than I can. But about the film: Burt Lancaster plays the younger brother of Anthony Quayle (Aaron). The problem is Lancaster is younger than Quayle by only one month. Lancaster is way too old to be in this part. He looks sixty when he is supposed to be in his thirties, and he looks sixty when he is supposed to be above one hundred. Lancaster is good in the role, however, delivering his lines with passion and never coming across as some good actor doing his duty in appearing in a Biblical epic. Anthony Quayle, and his British accent, is also good as Aaron. Irene Papas, as Moses' wife, has maybe two lines, despite being third billed. The rest of the cast is made up of mostly Italians, as this was filmed in Rome and Israel. The film suffers from trying not to be compared to better Hollywood films on the subject, but it is hard not to do. There are scenes here that run twice as long as they should. The film is an amazing 144 minutes long, cut from a six hour television mini-series, and in desperate need of more editing. Scenes are cut short, interrupting characters' dialogue in mid-sentence, or overlong. The film is also very cheap, substituting stock footage for locust swarms and sand storms. Mario Bava did the special effects? I fell out of my chair at that end credit. There are some very effective scenes, mostly dealing with the pharaoh's wrath, but there is not enough emotion here to make this compelling viewing. Despite the (PG) rating on the video copy I rented, this is not meant for young children, either, especially the scenes of Israelite boys being tossed into the Nile. Despite a game cast and some dramatic scenes, "Moses" does not deliver on its promise and I cannot recommend it. Also known as "Moses the Lawgiver."

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[Vincentiu · 30 April 2013]

not very large, not clear, almost a drawing. but impressive. I do not know if it is a great film. part of end of a period when Ben Hur spirit was master of Hollywood, it is difficult to define it more than part of a chain. but Burt Lancaster does an impeccable role. and for me, this film, like others, was a lesson of religion. under Communism regime, in Romania of 1984, when the churches are victims of strange architectural plans, when the faith was a form of resistance against the regime, Moses, this Moses, maybe fake, maybe theatrical, was a window. and , after years, not the film is important but crumbs of its memories. a great actor creates an unique character. and this character is perfect revolutionary. fragile, weak, strong, powerful, old and solitary. a master and a victim. the nuances of this base of the religions of Word are the gift of Lancaster. and his work is admirable.

ONLY FOR LANCASTER'S FANS

[Sbragia82 · 2/10 · 11 September 2002]

I've seen this movie just because of Burt Lancaster. The whole picture is bad. The direction, the cinematographer, the actors. The only exception besides Lancaster is the score by Ennio Morriconne.

Transitional epic,quite bitter and austere

[Cristi_Ciopron · 8/10 · 28 July 2008]

It is completely erroneous (and useless) to try grouping together films totally unrelated like the big—budget Antiquity themed Hollywoodian movies, the Italian muscle-men flicks of the '50—'60s, the various epics, the swashbucklers, the exotic movies about non—European civilizations, history, fantasy, myth, literature and adventure, legends and plays, the religious or religion—themed films, Gibson's movies, the Italian TV Biblical biopics, Ivanhoe, adaptations, historical films, fantasy and mythological productions, Middle Ages outings—in a word, every movie set before the last century, under the pretext that they have something in common. Nothing links them; they are unrelated—Gibson's films, SPARTACUS, BEN—HUR, IVANHOE, the many Maciste/ Hercules/ Samson etc. Italian flicks, BLACK ROBE, MONTE CRISTO, etc.. This is not even eclecticism—it is chaos.

This Lancaster epic is a transitional movie—between the big—budgeted blockbusters of the '50s—'60s,and the small decent honest TV Biblical stories of the '90s. The film is not very inspired, nor very appealing; its main merit is the cast. Lancaster performs in a conventional Hollywoodian way the disconcerting and enigmatic Old Testament prophet. Another epic from the same transitional period is MASSADA, which boasts O'Toole's high voltage, decadent, picturesque role. MOSES looks and feels more like the '60s epics. One quality is the feel of the tepid tiring crossing of the desert, the tough experience of dwelling for decades in the wilderness. Quayle also reminds the '60s epic blockbusters. Mrs. Papas is reliable as ever. The atmosphere is not the lesser accomplishment of MOSES. The probably ugly experience of the desert's crossing, after the initial exultation of the glorious escape, is well captured and rendered. In this respect, it's a resolute depart from the previous epics' habits. It's not triumphal in what it depicts; it shares the feel of its subject. The Hollywoodian conception behind all such epics (this one is a TV production, nevertheless ) is objectionable; yet the movies remain interesting and worth--wile.

In sum,this is the exodus as seen from below, from the common people involved in the exodus POW.

Recommended.

Why wasn't God's ''personal name'' used in the series?

[mufdivtwo · 3/10 · 16 November 2018]

I recall watching the mini series over 20 years ago and I think that the actual series was well made with some really good acting, it nevertheless was found wanting in certain parts.

Such as when Aaron speaks to the older men about ''God'' and rather than use the name ''Jehovah'' he uses the vague title ''lord God''.

As far as I know, the name ''Jehovah'' was not used at all in the series and I wonder why? It is an actual ''fact'' that the ancient nation of Israel not only knew God's personal name but they used it as well.

Of course, I am aware that the ''divine name'' stopped being used when the people started to believe that using it was wrong and offensive to God but of course that makes no sense when one takes into account the fact that '' God'' himself gave the ''divine name'' to Moses in order for it to be used by the nation.

I believe that the directors spoiled this otherwise good series by choosing to follow ''tradition'' by leaving out the name (Jehovah) which has been in use for centuries by the ancient nation of Israel and other nations too .

Using the name would have added credence to the series because even back in 1974, most people associated the name ''Jehovah'' with God and I doubt that using it would have caused any complaints, in fact I think it would have made the series better. after all, the series was supposed to be a depiction of something that actually took place in Egypt under the leadership of the man (Moses) who was chosen by ''Jehovah God'' to lead the ancient nation of Israel out of Egypt into the ''promised land.'' We should try to bear in mind that it was '' Jehovah God'' who empowered Moses to lead the nation out of Egypt and without him, he would not have been able to do anything. So to leave out God's personal name is a shame and spoils what is otherwise a really good series.

Quite good ...

[yortsnave · 10/10 · 12 March 2001]

I remember watching this mini-series on TV with my family while I was on summer vacation from college. (Wow, over a quarter-century ago).

I really enjoyed it. The cast was first-rate, especially Burt Lancaster in the title role. I especially remember the sorrow that Moses felt when he had to pass a sentence of death upon a lawbreaker. He had no choice, but he still grieved that such a thing would be necessary. I also remember the resistance that Moses encountered at every turn from the non-believers and power-seekers. Highly recommended.

No splashy spectacle

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 28 October 2014]

The main thing that I liked about Moses The Lawgiver was that it dealt with a lot of what Cecil B. DeMille in his twice told tale failed to cover. A lot of things happened to the Israelites before they're allowed to cross the Jordan into Canaan. DeMille skipped over that whole part of the story. Of course it doesn't have the splashy spectacle that so typifies DeMille, but there's a lot to be said for this made for TV mini-series.

Burt Lancaster as Moses is not the commanding presence nor does he speak in arcane dialog as Charlton Heston did. He leads by persuasion and example and he has more than one reason to think those Hebrews are a 'stiff necked people'. The character of Aaron given short shrift by DeMille is more fully developed and played here by Anthony Quayle.

It was certainly a 20 year trial for Moses leading this bunch. These people did see this man come through for them many times in a crisis and still they carp and complain. Lancaster becomes irritable in a way Heston didn't and wouldn't. It's a more human Moses.

Bible scholars will praise this interpretation of the story, but the masses will still love their DeMille.