The Ten Commandments (1956)
I am not religious, but it is impossible not to be swept away by this epic drama of biblical proportions. Largely carried by Charlton Heston. I can imagine no other actor have such an aura of greatness to pull off playing the very definition of larger than life characters. The rest of the cast is doing fine, not the least Yul Brunner, but with a script and acting style that calls for grandeur and big arm movements it balances on the edge of becoming silly. Without Heston it would have flunked in that regard.
Such a long running time needs substance all the way through, at this mostly delivers - just not quite to the level of excitement and adventure as in Ben Hur. Though definitely way more interesting than the dragging story in Cleopatra.
Ultimately it is a story about freedom and the director even introduces the film as such, clearly comparing it to the rivalry with communism that was at its peak in 50s. And if you need to send a message about freedom, telling a story about one man leading his people out of slavery is about as direct as it can be. It may seem somewhat cheesy, but it just works so damn well.
Rating: 4.5