Timothy E
Reviewer
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2007
- Messages
- 1,518
- Real Name
- Timothy Ewanyshyn
On January 19, 2011, Paramount Pictures hosted a screening of the final cut of the new documentary The Ten Commandments: Making Miracles. This 75 minute documentary will be included on the Blu-ray and DVD releases of The Ten Commandments on March 29, 2011.
The Home Theater Forum was among the few media outlets invited to this private screening on the studio lot, which was held primarily for the producers and participants of the documentary. Surviving cast members Lisa Mitchell (Jethro's daughter Lulua) and Fraser Clarke Heston (Baby Moses) were also in attendance at this screening, and both provided new interviews for the documentary.
The Ten Commandments: Making Miracles is an interesting and entertaining documentary of DeMille's efforts in making this film, in Hollywood and on location in Egypt. It includes a wealth of archival footage of the participants and interview footage of the actors that has been included in some previous collections.
Although I have seen The Ten Commandments before, I had not realized that baby Moses was played by Charlton Heston's then infant son, or that actor Henry Wilcoxon (Pentaur) contributed so much behind the scenes as a producer with DeMille. I actually remember Wilcoxon better for his role as the Bishop in Caddyshack and did not know the extent of his history in film, nor remember his role in this film.
The Ten Commandments: Making Miracles also includes many film clips from the new HD version of the film. If these portions of film are anything to judge the Blu-ray by, then we are in for a real treat when the full film is released on March 29, 2011. Most of the footage from the film included in the documentary looks as though it was filmed recently with HD equipment. The animation in the special effects sequences does not have the slickness of CGI but still stands up well in high definition. This documentary has definitely increased my anticipation of seeing the full film restored on Blu-ray.
The Home Theater Forum was among the few media outlets invited to this private screening on the studio lot, which was held primarily for the producers and participants of the documentary. Surviving cast members Lisa Mitchell (Jethro's daughter Lulua) and Fraser Clarke Heston (Baby Moses) were also in attendance at this screening, and both provided new interviews for the documentary.
The Ten Commandments: Making Miracles is an interesting and entertaining documentary of DeMille's efforts in making this film, in Hollywood and on location in Egypt. It includes a wealth of archival footage of the participants and interview footage of the actors that has been included in some previous collections.
Although I have seen The Ten Commandments before, I had not realized that baby Moses was played by Charlton Heston's then infant son, or that actor Henry Wilcoxon (Pentaur) contributed so much behind the scenes as a producer with DeMille. I actually remember Wilcoxon better for his role as the Bishop in Caddyshack and did not know the extent of his history in film, nor remember his role in this film.
The Ten Commandments: Making Miracles also includes many film clips from the new HD version of the film. If these portions of film are anything to judge the Blu-ray by, then we are in for a real treat when the full film is released on March 29, 2011. Most of the footage from the film included in the documentary looks as though it was filmed recently with HD equipment. The animation in the special effects sequences does not have the slickness of CGI but still stands up well in high definition. This documentary has definitely increased my anticipation of seeing the full film restored on Blu-ray.
