'The Ten Commandments': Put your hands up as iconic film turns 70

In this episode of The Times of Israel's The Real Schmooze, hosts Amanda Borchel-Dan and Jordan Hoffman celebrate the 70th anniversary of Cecil B. DeMille's epic film 'The Ten Commandments' with a deep dive into its cultural legacy, cinematic style, and historical context. The duo watched the nearly four-hour film in three installments, reflecting on its grand spectacle, Technicolor visuals, and over-the-top performances—particularly Charlton Heston’s iconic Moses and Yul Brynner’s menacing Pharaoh. They explore the film’s complex portrayal of gender, noting its contradictory feminist and anti-feminist elements, and examine its Jewish and Christian resonances, including the surprising fact that DeMille had Jewish ancestry. The hosts also reflect on the film’s role in American pop culture, its influence on civil rights symbolism, and its enduring presence on television during Passover and Easter. They contrast it with modern retellings like 'The Prince of Egypt' and discuss the film’s flaws—boring stretches, dated acting, and historical inaccuracies—while ultimately affirming its status as a landmark of cinematic grandeur. The episode also touches on recent Jewish cultural news, including comedian Modi’s controversial withdrawal from a Passover event alongside New York Mayor Mamdani, and the passing of Bruce Springsteen’s longtime collaborator Suki Lahav, whose violin work defined key tracks like 'Sandy' and 'Jungle Land.' The hosts reflect on the emotional weight of Lahav’s legacy and Springsteen’s ongoing feud with Donald Trump. They conclude with a listener poll to decide between covering two major Bible epics shot in Israel: 'Exodus' (1960) and 'Jesus Christ Superstar' (1973), both of which are culturally significant and ripe for discussion.