Classic Lenten Movies: The Ten Commandments

The Season of Lent in the Philippines has been a bit boring for me when I was a kid. No shows on TV, we had no video games and other fun stuff and we didn’t go out to swimming resorts and beaches – basically because it gets too crowded and stressful instead of relaxing.

We were just at home, watching what’s on TV (No DVD’s at that time; 90’s). Every year is the same: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. The 2-hour and 30 minutes movie played on the tube. As if the family hasn’t memorized it yet – from TV, Church and Sunday school (and school).

It’s the Ten Commandments by Cecil B. DeMille shown in 1923.

It’s a true classic. It’s long but it’s also worth the watch. There may be more modern commandment-movies but DeMille’s film is still captivating. Just keep in mind that this was produced way back in 1923 so detach yourself from thoughts of modern graphics and special effects.

Movie Trivia:

• The chariot crashes in the prologue and in other parts of the movie were spontaneous and not choreographed. Because of this, many bit players were injured. No serious injury, though. They went back to work immediately after being treated.

It’s 2010. Do you still remember the 10 Commandments?

1. "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.”; “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.”
2. "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”
3. "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God.”
4. “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
5. “You shall not murder.”
6. “You shall not commit adultery.”
7. “You shall not steal.”
8. “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”
9. “You shall not covet your neighbor's house.”
10. “You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

** To COVET means to “to want to have something very much, especially something which belongs to someone else” (dictionary.cambridge.org) It’s similar to ENVY.

TV Cable Freak: Movies I will Watch this Holy Week