The Ten Commandments is a 1956 biblical epic about Moses, the Hebrew prince who turns into the leader who frees the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It follows his life from royal privilege to his calling, the plagues, the Exodus, and the crossing of the Red Sea.

Quick Scoop

The movie is based on the biblical story of Moses and the Ten Commandments, with Charlton Heston playing Moses in Cecil B. DeMille’s final film. It was the highest-grossing film of 1956 and became famous for its huge scale and the Red Sea sequence, which took months to film.

What it’s about

  • Moses is raised in Pharaoh’s court.
  • He discovers his Hebrew heritage.
  • He later confronts Pharaoh and demands freedom for his people.
  • God sends plagues on Egypt.
  • Moses leads the Israelites out of Egypt and receives the commandments.

Why people still talk about it

The movie is still discussed because it is one of Hollywood’s classic religious epics and a landmark in special effects and production scale. In 2026, articles marked its 70th anniversary and noted new TV airings and screenings.

Bottom line

If you want the simplest description: it’s an epic retelling of Moses’ journey from Egyptian prince to liberator, centered on the Exodus and the Ten Commandments.