The Ten Commandments (UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Paramount
Release Date: March 30, 2021
Rating: G
Film: 5/5

Plot
The story of the life Moses (Charlton Heston) once favored in the Pharaoh's (Yul Brynner) household, he turned his back on a privileged life to lead his people to freedom with the help of God and his Ten Commandments.

My Thoughts
Few motion pictures can claim to equal the splendor of The Ten Commandments. DeMille’s last motion picture made Charlton Heston a superstar and remains an unprecedented achievement and perennial fan favorite.  Filmed in Egypt and the Sinai with one of the biggest sets ever constructed for a motion picture, it brings the story from the Bible to life and holds up extremely well 65 years after its original filming. Sure, the special effects are rudimentary by today’s standards, but when put into proper context at the time they were done, they really were revolutionary.

Here's what the studio has to say about the restoration process:

As part of the restoration done in 2010, the film was scanned in 6K and those files were the basis for this brand-new Dolby Vision version, which shows off the full beauty of the original VistaVision negative. The VistaVision format used special cameras to feed 35mm film into the camera horizontally in order to capture a wider image spread over two 35mm film frames, giving VistaVision twice the resolution of regular 35mm film.  In addition, Paramount spent well over 150 hours doing new color work and clean-up on the scan.  The move to Dolby Vision created the opportunity to further improve the look of the film:  blacks are enhanced and improvements were made to smooth out special effects mattes to create the most vibrant and pristine image possible.

All I can say is “WOW!” The video transfer is visually perfect, and you can tell a lot of TLC went into the restoration. Colors are vivid and bold, black levels are reference quality, and the detail is off the charts. I really liked the look of the 2011 Blu-ray release, but this takes it to a completely different level. This is about as good as 4K can look.

The audio track is the same from the previously released Blu-ray, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but an upgrade to DTS:X or Dolby Atmos. Regardless, it does a very good job of taking the original elements and making the best of it. The midrange is particularly robust with wide stereo imaging across the front soundstage, but don’t expect the surround channels to be fully engaged.

Video 10/10

Audio 8.5/10 (STS-HD MA 5.1)

Special Features:

4K Ultra HD Disc
·      1956 feature film in 4K Ultra HD
·      Commentary by Katherine Orrison, author of “Written in Stone: Making Cecil B. DeMille’s Epic The Ten Commandments”
Blu-ray Disc^™ #1
·      1956 feature film in high definition (Part 1)
·      Commentary by Katherine Orrison, author of “Written in Stone: Making Cecil B. DeMille’s Epic The Ten Commandments”
Blu-ray Disc^™ #2
·      1956 feature film in high definition (Part 2)
·      Commentary by Katherine Orrison, author of “Written in Stone: Making Cecil B. DeMille’s Epic The Ten Commandments”
·      Newsreel footage of the film’s New York premiere
·      Theatrical trailers, including at 10-minute “making of” trailer
Digital Copy




Conclusion
This film is a historical masterpiece from the golden age of Hollywood productions and its debut on 4K UHD fits its lineage. It offers breathtaking visuals of the greatest story ever told and is a must own on the format. Highly recommended.


Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 88” 16x9 Fixed Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-980
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
SVS SB-3000 Subwoofer
JL Audio Dominion D110 Subwoofer x 2 (configured as tandem mid bass modules)
Mini DSP controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[TRainH2O]

Although I do not own this film in any format, I have seen it many times over the years. Even if you don't care for the story or subject, you have to tip your hat to the studio for undertaking a project of this scale and scope.

Thanks for the review, David. 

[AVSCraig]

Great classic film. Now, where is Ben Hur on 4K to make a nice set ( with Spartacus ) ? 

[bmoney]

never seeen this!  def gonna give it a spin!

i agree with ben hur!!

[Ralph P.]

Greetings,

Great review Dave! 


Regards,

[David Vaughn]

Greetings,

Great review Dave!


Regards,

Thanks Ralph. 

[bmoney]

started watching it yesterday. this along with spartacus....will be a few days for each since they are like half a day long lmao

never seen either!

[David Vaughn]

started watching it yesterday. this along with spartacus....will be a few days for each since they are like half a day long lmao

never seen either!

Yes...the movies from this era are REALLY LONG!

[AVSCraig]

Yes...the movies from this era are REALLY LONG!

These longer older films are good for rainy Sat or Sunday matinées with your friends. I think I started Lawrence of Arabia around 2:45pm, with a couple of snack platters of cheese and crackers, and a magnum of high end Napa chardonnay in an ice bucket, and 3 guests. Now that I've had my 2nd covid shot, movie nights and matinées with friends will be back soon. 

[AVSCraig]

My copy should arrive this Friday !

[David Vaughn]

My copy should arrive this Friday !

My daughter is here for a couple of weeks with her boyfriend and we watched it a second time on UHD...just as good. Such a great movie and very pertinent to today. 

"Your individual rights are given by God, not by some Pharaoh (or any government, for that matter)."

[AVSCraig]

My daughter is here for a couple of weeks with her boyfriend and we watched it a second time on UHD...just as good. Such a great movie and very pertinent to today.

"Your individual rights are given by God, not by some Pharaoh (or any government, for that matter)."

I think the Israelites had that engraved on their bows back then - at least the NAA members ( National Arrow Association ).  

[DavidHir]

I'm going to have to order this.  I recall my parents watching it on TV every year, but I've never seen it from start to finish.

[AVSCraig]

I'm going to have to order this.  I recall my parents watching it on TV every year, but I've never seen it from start to finish.

My copy arrived last week ! 

[bmoney]

Picture is stunning. The colors are off the charts good