When I first saw this, I too was disappointed with the depiction of Moses' apparent lack of faith. I've read through the Bible several times, so I know whereof I write. However, after sitting through weeks of a Bible study of the book of Exodus, our pastor and study leader pointed something out that I hadn't previously seen.

So to all of the negative reviewers here, let me encourage you to please review Holy Scripture. Some of the items mentioned by other reviewers as being un-Biblical actually ARE in the Bible. Yes, there are other movie details that aren't Biblical (some things that I too wish would have been presented differently); but, if I recall correctly, they really aren't a significant deviation from the main points of the story.

So what was the new discovery from the Bible study? Check it out (in chapters 3 & 4 of Exodus). When the LORD appears to Moses in the burning bush, notice how Moses addresses Him. In verses 10 & 13 of Exodus 4 and verse 22 of chapter 5, Moses simply addresses God by a courteous title "Lord" rather than by His name "the LORD." These are actually different words in the original language; English versions of the Bible only indicate this difference by using lowercase/uppercase letters.

Indeed, Moses' faith does seem something that was in desperate need for growth and maturity -- after all, He did stay away from Egypt for FORTY YEARS. So then this movie shows the beauty of what Holy Scripture shows: Moses' faith, love, and admiration of God grew substantially throughout his life and experiences!

If you're too lazy to read the whole book of Exodus, then simply check out these passages to see that exercising faith was NOT an easy thing initially for Moses or the people he was to lead. -- WARNING: Reading these may be a spoiler for watching the movie, but so what? -- Exodus 2:14-15, 4:1, 4:10, 4:13, 4:14, 4:18-19, 4:24, 5:20-23, 6:9, 6:28-30, 11:3, 14:11-15, 14:31, 15:1-3, 15:11, 18:11, 20:18-21.

I would like to start with the statement that I am an intelligent man who has actually read the bible. I know what is correct and what is not correct. This may not be the most glamorous or fast-moving adaptation of the Exodus by why have those when you have this which is truest to life and truest to scriptures?

Moses stutters like in the bible and for an added bonus he feels inferior and and is laughed at by the Egyptian court. He became a man confused and tormented by his origins, wondered if he was Egyptian or Hebrew and when he killed an Egyptian in anger and he fled from his mistake. When he found peace in Midian, Moses begged God not to send him back to Egypt to free the Hebrews. This is a human Moses who doubts God at times yet still keeps his faith. This is a Moses that endured disappointments, hardships and setbacks and fulfilled his God-given mission. This Moses is Moses.

As for the addition of Jethro advising Moses, it is a very moving scene and unless you are a heartless beast like some reviewers on here you will be moved by Jethro's advising of Moses. For another moving scene there is when Moses assembles the Hebrews to hear God's voice. While some flee in fear there are those who stand up and feel the spirit of God himself.

Now, I would like to give some information about the choice of Pharaohs. Moses' date of birth was first given as 1391 BC in Seder Olam Rabbah, a second century Hebrew language chronology. Later the Christian Jerome gave it as 1592 BC. The final date of birth given is 1571 BC by James Ussher. Ramesses II was not born until 1303 BC meaning that "The Ten Commandments" got the Pharaoh of the Exodus wrong. By default this also means that Merneptah, the Pharaoh of the Exodus in this film, is not the correct Pharaoh either. Going by the dates of birth, Moses being eighty at the time of the Exodus and lining this up with Egyptian history the Pharaoh would be Horemheb (1311), Thutmose I (1512) or Thutmose II (1491). I don't hold the decision of Merneptah being the Pharaoh of the Exodus against the film, I find it preferable to the endless parade of Ramesses II that Cecil B. DeMille has spawned. Ramesses II still appears but thankfully he is the Pharaoh of the Oppression so I don't have to suffer any DeMille imitation.

There is excellent actors in this, an excellent script and the production values are enough to put DeMille to shame. This is the most faithful and best adaptation of the Exodus out there. All you need is the intelligence and heart to see it.

We have seen almost every interpretation of Moses and the Exodus. Film, Made for T.V. Movie even the Animated effort(s) and the question remains why did they bother?! There is only one (1) version worth watching and it is shown every year around Easter/Passover on the ABC Network. Cecil B. DeMille's THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, Paramount (1956). Better yet, buy it on DVD and get both his versions.

Yes, we know all the faults of the film. A presentation suitable for a early 20th Century Stage melodrama. SFX that could/should have been tighten up. Plus some over the top acting, but that ignores the positives. Egypt looked like a powerful EMPIRE, which it was. Not some back-water mono-chromatic third world state. When GOD struck down with its POWER, you knew IT meant business. Rameses was a Rat, Nefretiri a over sexed nymphomaniac and Moses true to the Lord, without the second guessing introspective.

What you get in MOSES is a wimp, who whines about doing the Almighty's will. Weasly Hebrews who are not worth saving and SFX which would have been better done in the 1935, let alone in 1995! Plus a musical score which is not forgettable, but not even noticed. It takes more then a strong cast to make a great film. It takes a Director/Producer that loves the subject matter. There is no doubt that DeMille filled the bill in both matters.