THE PRINCE OF EGYPT

Hello again! I am back once more with another interesting movie that i’ve already talked a little bit about. So let’s get started!

Did know that “THE PRINCE OF EGYPT” is actually a remake of another classic “BIBLE” inspired film?

Any movie buff will tell you that “THE PRINCE OF EGYPT” is not the only depiction of “MOSES” known to the world. “THE OSCAR-WINNING” epic, “THE TEN COMMANDMENTS” [1956], is often discussed along with the animated film, which should come as no surprise. What surprises us, however, is that some consider this film to be a remake of the CHARLTON HESTON (born JOHN CHARLES CARTER; OCTOBER 4, 1923 – APRIL 5, 2008) classic. Plot and source material aside, “THE PRINCE OF EGYPT” takes a great deal from “THE TEN COMMANDMENTS”. Both films have a star-studded CAST, their depiction of “MOSES” is similar in many regards, and both films add a human element of complexity to the biblical narrative. Either way, it's still quite impressive.

[HESTON as “MOSES”]

[HESTON as himself.]

Did you know that the voices of “GOD” AND “MOSES” in this movie were provided by the same ACTOR?

The voice of “GOD” was a thoroughly discussed subject in the making of This film. Supposedly, at one point it was going to be the entire cast reading the lines of “GOD”. This proved problematic, so the filmmakers took another note from the “THE TEN COMMANDMENTS”. the voice of “MOSES” is also the voice of “GOD”. This decision was possibly made due to HESTON’S” uncredited role as the voice of “GOD” in the original “THE TEN COMMANDMENTS”. While VAL KILMER is phenomenal as “MOSES”, there is definitely something to be said for his portrayal of “GOD” as well.

The voice of “GOD”, to avoid controversy, was played by all of the major ACTORS. The ACTORS were told to whisper the lines, so none would dominate the performance, but by the time they got around to having KILMER read his lines, they realized they needed someone to be louder. You can still hear the rest of the cast whispering beneath KILMER’S voice in “GOD’S” lines. Another reason for why KILMER was selected to play “GOD” was because the filmmakers liked the idea that “GOD” was acting as “MOSES’” "inner voice" in order to guide him. It was also originally intended that a woman and a child’s voice would also be used, as “GOD”, but it was decided that might offend some viewers.

Here’s how it sounds from a more biblical point of view from “IMDb”:

According to biblical scholar CAROL MEYERS, CONSULTANT for this movie and now DUKE UNIVERSITY MARY GRACE WILSON DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR EMERITUS OF RELIGION IN TRINITY COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, filmmakers had problems trying to figure out “GOD’S” voice as nobody has ever listened to it. They eventually decided that “MOSES” voice should be the predominant one as he was the one who listened to the voice presumably in his own head. This was mentioned by PROF. MEYERS in an interview in the "BIBLICAL TIME MACHINE" podcast aired on 22-APR-2024.

[“MOSES” and “THE BURNING BUSH”!]

[KILMER]

Did you know that this film was based on an idea by a former DISNEY employee?

Former DISNEY CHAIRMAN JEFFREY KATZENBERG had always wanted to do an animated movie adaptation of “THE TEN COMMANDMENTS”. While working for THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY, he constantly pitched the idea to MICHAEL EISNER, but he didn't like the idea. The idea for this movie was brought back at the formation of DREAMWORKS SKG in 1994, when KATZENBER’S partners, filmmaker and AMBLIN ENTERTAINMEN FOUNDER STEVEN SPIELBERG, and MUSIC PRODUCER DAVID GEFFEN, were meeting in SPIELBERG’S living room. KATZENBERG recalls that SPIELBERG looked at him during the meeting and said, "You ought to do THE TEN COMMANDMENTS."

[DREAMWORKS HEADS STEVEN SPIELBERG (L), JEFFREY KATZENBERG (C) and DAVID GEFFEN [R].]

Did you know that the filmmakers found a very clever way to fix a major mistake?

When “MOSES” enters the cave with “THE BURNING BUSH”, “GOD” tells him to take off his sandals, for he is standing on holy ground. But when “MOSES” leaves the cave, he doesn't put his sandals back on, and is barefoot for the rest of the movie. Before that happens though, there's a scene of “MOSES” tending to the sheep right before he meets “THE BURNING BUSH”. According to THE DIRECTORS, THE ANIMATORS realized too late that they mistakenly made him barefoot in this scene, making a noticeable continuity error since he has to have sandals to take off at “GOD’S” order. Their solution was to cover his feet by adding more sheep because it was easier than reanimating what they already had.

[Here is a few examples of what I am talking about!]

Did you know that one ACTRESS/SINGER recorded all of her lines in multiple languages?

OFRA HAZA (HEBREW: עפרה חזה; November 19 1957 – February 23 2000), the voice of “YOCHEVED”, sang her part of “DELIVER US” in 18 out of the 21 different languages that the film was dubbed in, even going so far as to pronounce her parts phonetically for some of the languages she didn't speak. HAZA also recorded her famous "RIVER LULLABY" while singing to a baby doll, to allow herself to express as much emotion as possible.

[HAZA]

Did you know about the changes that they made from the source material?

Changes were made to the story to make it work as an animated feature. Here is a short list of differences between the movie and the Biblical account of “EXODUS”:

1. “MOSES” was adopted by PHARAOH’S daughter, not his wife.

2. “MOSES” killed the Egyptian slave master. The words used in HEBREW suggest this was not done intentionally.

3. “AARON” supported “MOSES” from the beginning, and even helped perform some of the miracles of “GOD”. “AARON” did not doubt “MOSES”.

4. It was “AARON” who turned his staff into a snake, and turned the water of “THE NILE RIVER” to blood, not “MOSES”.

5. In the movie, “MIRIAM” and “AARON” are seen walking along with “MOSES” and “TZIPPORAH” in the lead of everyone else, singing "WHEN YOU BELIEVE" and “MIRIAM” puts an arm around “TZIPPORAH’S” shoulder. In “THE BIBLE”, Numbers 12, “MIRIAM” and “AARON” speak against “MOSES” marrying “TZIPPORAH” because she is a CUSHITE. “GOD” hears this and strikes “MIRIAM” with LEPROSY.

There is probably few more changes but I am too lazy to look for any more!

Did you know that the end credits version of the song “WHEN YOU BELIEVE” might have been a diva battle?

One '90s DISNEY tradition carried over into "THE PRINCE OF EGYPT" was that of having major pop stars record their own version of one of the film's original musical numbers to play over the credits, all the better for getting mainstream radio play. In the case of "THE PRINCE OF EGYPT," this meant turning the film's “OSCAR-WINNING” song "WHEN YOU BELIEVE" into a diva duet with WHITNEY HOUSTON (AUGUST 9, 1963 – FEBRUARY 11, 2012) and MARIAH CAREY. Depending on what sources you believe, this meeting of megastars may have turned into a massive diva battle. HOUSTON and CAREY both maintained that their collaboration was a purely positive experience and that reports of conflict were just ginned up by the media. "THE MEN WHO WOULD BE KING: AN ALMOST EPIC TALE OF MOGULS, MOVIES, AND A COMPANY CALLED DREAMWORKS" presents the media perspective as fact. Allegations include that HOUSTON refused to leave her limo until CAREY arrived, resulting in some very confused publicists, and that the two singers fought over who would receive the bigger dressing room.

Let’s go through a couple of quick fun facts!

As “MOSES” and his people cross the parted sea (1:22:05) you see a WHALE through the water. However, WHALE tails move up and down, but this one's tail moved from side to side. That's a MEGALODON SHARK, judging by its size. However, other sources say that it is a WHALE SHARK. Because they are large, and their tail goes side to side. Well, no matter which side you believe, we all now know that, that creature is obviously NOT A WHALE!

[See if you can figure out which species this sea creature is!]

Two EGYPTIAN GUARDS are seen throwing their weapons down as THE JEWS EXODUS. Later, they can be seen in the crowd, having joined them.

[Look at where the arrow is pointing!]

When “MOSES/GOD” turns THE NILE into blood, there is a small space of untainted water surrounding “MOSES”.

[See, that area is still clear!]

When the priests [voiced by legendary COMEDIANS/SINGERS STEVE MARTIN - “HOTEP” and MARTIN SHORT - “HUY”] sing the song “YOU’RE PLAYING WITH THE BIG BOYS NOW.” They display a show of magic. In their song's lyrics, they name all of the Gods. Except for “HEKA, THE GOD OF MAGIC”. Because the magic was all fake and naming him would be disrespectful to him and the Gods.

[“HOTEP” and “HUY” preforming their “VILLAIN SONG”!]

[Left to right: STEVE MARTIN and MARTIN SHORT.]

The four-minute “PARTING OF THE RED SEA” sequence took ten animators two years to complete.

[“MOSES” AND THE RED SEA!]

Did you know that this film is banned in some countries?

The film was banned in THE MALDIVES, MALAYSIA, and EGYPT. In the former two countries, it was because of ISLAMIC custom of never portraying the image of THE PROPHETS, which includes MOSES, his brother AARON, and his father-in-law JETHRO. In EGYPT, it was mostly because of the villainous portrayal of PHARAOH RAMESES, a well-respected historical leader whom the EGYPTIANS hold to be separate from the PHARAOH of “EXODUS”. MALAYSIA has since rescinded the ban in 2001. The animated epic was soon given a seal of approval to be released in VCD format as a home release, but required special labels to indicate that it was only for Christian and private viewers.

Did you know that none of the ACTORS are in the movie are actually EGYPTIAN?

Most of the VOICE ACTORS are AMERICAN or BRITISH, and none are EGYPTIAN. It's sort of Justified since MODERN EGYPTIANS speak ARABIC, not EGYPTIAN (which has been extinct for millennia sans a notable exception of COPTIC which is solely a modern -comparatively speaking- liturgical language for EGYPTIAN COPTIC CHRISTIANS, and completely different from the ANCIENT EGYPTIAN spoken during RAMESES’ reign), so having “RAMESES” and “MOSES” be voiced by EGYPTIAN and JEWISH ACTORS speaking ARABIC and HEBREW would only make a bit more sense than having them be voiced by NATIVE ENGLISH speakers. Thus a more accurate casting would be a hyper niche category of EGYPTIANS and JEWS that speak COPTIC.

[THE EGYPTIAN FLAG.]

After the credits, there are three excerpts praising MOSES.

[Here it is as seen in the movie and enlarged so you can read it easier!] "Never again did there arise in ISRAEL a PROPHET like MOSES, whom THE LORD singled out face to face..." (HEBREW BIBLE-DEUTERONOMY 34:10). "(MOSES) was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by GOD himself..." (NEW TESTAMENT-ACTS 7:35). "And call to mind, through his divine writ, MOSES. Behold he was a chosen one, and was an APOSTLE (of GOD), a PROPHET." (QUR'AN-SURAH 19:51)

Did you know that there are some major connections with the ACTORS and BIBLICAL, fictional and sometimes characters?

VAL KILMER was the first actor to play “MOSES” and “BRUCE WAYNE/BATMAN” in “BATMAN FOREVER” (1995). The second was CHRISTIAN BALE, who played the characters in “THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY” (2005-2012) and “EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS” (2014).

[KILMER as “BATMAN”

[BALE as “MOSES” in “EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS” and as “BATMAN” in “THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY”.]

JEREMY IRONS Irons was considered for the role of “SETI”. He also played “BATMAN’S” faithful BUTLER “ALFRED PENNYWORTH” in “THE DCEU”!

[IRONS as “ALFRED”.]

RALPH FIENNES [the voice of “RAMESES”] appeared in “SCHINDLER’S LIST” (1993), in which he jokingly asks “OSKAR SCHINDLER”, "Who are you, MOSES?" That film also featured BEN KINGSLEY, who played the title role in “MOSES” (1995).

[FIENNES as “AMON GÖTH” in “SCHINDLER’S LIST” or is it “GOETH”? I honestly do not know for certain!]

KILMER’S BIRTHDAY is DECEMBER 31, the same BIRTHDAY as KINGSLEY!

[The DVD /BLU-RAY cover for KINGSLEY’S T.V. MINISERIES.]

CO-STARS DAME HELEN MIRREN [“QUEEN TUYA”] and SANDRA BULLOCK [“MIRIAM”] also share a BIRTHDAY: JULY 26.

MEL BROOKS provides an uncredited voice for this film. He also played a more clumsier “MOSES” in “HISTORY OF THE WORLD: PART 1” (1981).

Here is what happened in the picture above: “MOSES” brings down “THE COMMANDMENTS”. “I bring you these 15” – drops a tablet – “These 10 commandments.”

FIENNES was considered for the title role in The Saint (1997), which went to Kilmer.

FIENNES and JEFF GOLDBLUM [“AARON”] also appeared in “THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL” (2014) together.

BROOKS produced “THE FLY” (1986) which also starred GOLDBLUM. The original film version of “THE FLY” (1958) starred VINCENT PRICE, who also appeared in “THE TEN COMMANDMENTS” (1956) [He played a character named “BAKA”].

[PRICE as "BAKA"]

[A still image of PRICE and “THE FLY” from the 1958 film.]

[GOLDBLUM crawling on the ceiling in the 1986 version of “THE FLY”!]

MICHELLE PFEIFFER [TZIPPORAH”] played “SELINA KYLE/CATWOMAN” in “BATMAN RETURNS” (1992) [as I mentioned earlier KILMER played “BATMAN” in the sequel/soft reboot “BATMAN FOREVER”.]

[PFEIFFER as “CATWOMAN”]

FIENNES also did the voice of “BATMAN’S” trusted SERVANT and FATHER FIGURE “ALFRED” in “THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE” (2017). FIENNES was a previous candidate for the role of “BRUCE WAYNE/BATMAN” in “BATMAN FOREVER” (after MICHAEL KEATON, who played the role in “BATMAN” (1989) and “BATMAN RETURNS” dropped out), but lost out to KILMER.

MARTIN and DANNY GLOVER [“JETHRO”] and appeared in Grand Canyon (1991).

Though they only share one scene in this film, SHORT and PATRICK STEWART [“SETI 1”] would reunite three years later in “JIMMY NEUTRON: BOY GENIUS” (2001).

GLOVER and GOLDBLUM also appeared together in the movie “SILVERADO” (1985).

SHORT and GLOVER also appeared in the film “PURE LUCK” (1991).

PFEIFFER and GOLDBLUM appeared in the motion picture “INTO THE NIGHT” (1985).

PFEIFFER, BULLOCK, and SHORT were guests on the T.V. series “MUPPETS TONIGHT” (1996-1998), and MARTIN was a guest on “THE MUPPET SHOW” (1976-1981). MARTIN also appears in “THE MUPPET MOVIE” [1979].

MARTIN and SHORT are best friends in real life and have worked on many project together! Here are a couple of them that you may have heard of:

“ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING” [T.V. series 2021-PRESENT]

“¡THREE AMIGOS!” [1986]

“FATHER OF THE BRIDE” [1991]

“FATHER OF THE BRIDE PART 2” [1995]

“FATHER OF THE BRIDE PART 3 [ISH]” [2020]

“SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE” [1975-PRESENT]

“STEVE MARTIN & MARTIN SHORT: AN EVENING YOU WILL FORGET FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE” [2018]

[I think you guys get the idea now!]

Here is something you may not have known about the film’s ending.

The filmmakers have suggested that it is possible that “RAMESES II” died when “THE RED SEA” closed, and that his final line ("Moses!") is imagined by “MOSES” as wishful thinking. This is why they appear on-screen at the same time during that moment. Their words where also foreshadowed earlier in the film.

SPIELBERG insisted that the film end on “MOSES” carrying “THE TEN COMMANDMENTS”.

Did you know that this movie also has prequel and a stage show musical?

There is a prequel based on the story of “JOSEPH” from “THE BOOK OF GENISIS”. The Direct-to-video film is called “JOSEPH: KING OF DREAMS” [2000]. Sadly, this movie was not as successful as it’s predecessor!

If you are looking for a copy of “JOSEPH: king of dreams”, you can find it with “THE PRINCE OF EGYPT” in a double feature.

A BROADWAY-STYLE musical theatre production of “THE PRINCE OF EGYPT” was also produced in 2017 and ended it’s run in 2020. A film version of the show was filmed and released into movie theaters on OCTOBER 19 2023. It was also released on BROADWAYHD on NOVEMBER 15 and was followed by a DIGITAL RELEASE on DECEMBER 5. You can look for it under the name “THE PRINCE OF EGYPT: THE MUSICAL”. The show was met with mixed results.

Did you know that this movie was parodied in another DREAMWORKS ANIMATION film?

In another DREAMWORKS movie, “MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN” (2014), there's a scene where the “PRINCESS” is picking “BABY MOSES” up from the water. Meanwhile, “SHERMAN” is seen swimming in the water.

[I could not find the right image for the scene I had just mentioned, so here is a poster for the movie instead!]

I really hope you guys enjoyed this. I will see all again really soon!!