You cannot break the Ten Commandments—they will break you

Apr 10

By Pete Campbell

Most are familiar with Cecil B. DeMille's 1956 version of The Ten Commandments, starring Charlton Heston and Yul Brynner. But few have probably seen DeMille's first take on this Biblical story. It is wholly unique compared to all the various takes on the Exodus that Hollywood has produced over the years.

The early 1920's was ripe with salacious scandals coming out of L.A. as this new form of entertainment was only getting its legs. Rampant drug use, promiscuous relationships, and even shocking headlines of movie stars committing murder both captivated and horrified the public. The influence of these picture shows and the people creating them were seen to be eroding the very foundations of the Judeo-Christian values that were held dear. Even more to the point the Box Office was suffering. Hollywood was in crisis, and they needed to appeal to the taste of their consumers.

In 1923 there were many films released with Biblical themes, but the one that stood out from the crowd was DeMille's The Ten Commandments starring Richard Dix, Rod La Rocque, and Leatrice Joy. To this day, this silent film has a special place in the hearts of film historians, as DeMille took over a large section of the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes in California and built full scale sets for the scenes in Egypt. It was larger than anything that had been done up to that point and single handedly created the “epic” film genre.

DeMille attempted to speak directly to the issues of the day. From the opening slide that reads:

The film is two fold. The first quarter of the movie tells a very abbreviated version of the story of Moses and his leading the Hebrews out of Egypt. The menacing Pharaoh played by Charles de Rochefort, is terrifying in a way that only a silent film can truly express. His grief at the loss of his son and his anger
and desire for revenge is palpable. Moses, played by Theodore Roberts, is stern and unmovable in his portrayal. His task is clear; God has sent him to free his people.
One thing that stands out more than anything is that the viewer would need to be somewhat familiar with the Biblical story to truly follow what's going on. But DeMille is wanting to get to Sinai as fast as possible, because that is the point of this film. The Ten Commandments. “They are not just laws – they are the LAW.”

While Moses is on the mountain, of course, the Hebrews become tired of waiting and the Golden Calf is made. Moses returns carrying the tablets and in anger throws them down. The scene erupts and dissolves away, and we find ourselves in the kitchen of the home of Mrs. McTavish and her two adult sons. She is reading the Bible to them.

John and Danny are the McTavish brothers. John is the good son who wants to follow the Word, and Danny is drawn to the things of this world. Though this film was made a hundred years ago, it is shockingly familiar to someone watching in 2023. The characters are real; the passive aggressive overbearing mother who wants nothing more than her sons to follow Christ, but by her own actions pushes Danny away. “Mother you carry that Cross but you use it as a whip.”

The two boys fall in love with the same woman, Mary Leigh, which son she chooses affects the fate of what is to come. “We'll break all ten of your old Commandments, and we'll finish rich and powerful – with the world at our feet. You'll keep your Ten Commandments and finish just where you are – a poor carpenter.” With that Danny leaves his Mother and Brother behind.
The film takes a dark turn as we see, Danny lives his life recklessly and without any morals, breaking all of God's Commandments and reaps the consequences. But, as he will find out you cannot break the Ten Commandments—they will break you