Category listing
Biblical productions

La Fuite en Égypte
France, 1898

Directed by Alice Guy

  

Alice GUY, a pupil of Louis Gaumont, is considered to have been the world's first female director and a pioneer of french cinema. The biblical La Fuite en Égypte ("the Flight into Egypt") is one of her early works. After marrying cameraman Herbert Blaché in 1907 they together moved to the USA, where they founded the pioneering film company Solax.

Joseph Vendu par ses Frères
France, 1904

Directed by V. Lorant Heilbronn

Joseph is sold by his brothers and taken to Egypt, where he finally lands in jail. There he explains to his fellow prisoners their dreams. The one will gain his liberty while the other will hang. His predictions come true. It was at that time that the King has some dreams which he wanted to have explained. Learning that Joseph could do this, he has him brought before him. Joseph explains his dreams and is appointed Governor.

Silent biblical film by Pathé Frères in 5 parts: "1.Sale - 2.In Captivity - 3.Tempted by Potiphar’s Wife - 4.Explanation of Pharaoh’s dreams - 5.Triumph of Joseph & Apotheosis".

La Vie de Moïse
France, 1905

Silent biblical production by Pathé Frères in six parts: "I. Moses drawn out of the water. 2. The burning bush. 3. Passing through the Red Sea. 4. The Hebrews in the wilderness. 5. Upon Mount Sinai 6. Worship of the golden calf. This very beautiful film shows us the whole life of Moses, from his very infancy to the moment when he delivers the Ten Commandments to his people. The story of Moses is too well known to be repeated and we assure our customers that this film is the truest reproduction possible, its photography being superb. We feel convinced that this subject will soon reach the same high standards as our world-known ‘Life and Passion of Christ." (Lubin publicity...)

Joseph Vendu par ses Frères
France, 1909

Louis Delaunay, Philippe Garnier, Jacques Guilhène

  

Silent biblical production by Le Film d’Art/Pathé Frères. "A satisfactory and clear interpretation of this old story. Every child knows it, and it is here presented in the beauty of Oriental color. One need not repeat it, but one may commend it as an adequate representation of a subject which appeals to all who read the Bible. The story is closely followed, since it is sufficiently dramatic in itself to hold interest without the necessity of resorting to rearrangement or additions. The whole narrative is reproduced, and so graphically is it done that a stronger impression than the mere reading was capable of producing is made upon the audience. [...]" (source: The Moving Picture World, 12 March 1910)

The Life of Moses
USA, 1909

Patrick Hartigan, William Humphrey, Charles Kent
Directed by J. Stuart Blackton

  

Silent biblical serial by Vitagraph. According to IMDb shown in four successive parts: The Persecution of the Children of Israel by the Egyptians (1909), Forty Years in the Land of Midian (1909), The Plagues of Egypt and the Deliverance of the Hebrews (1909) and The Victory of Israel (1909). After its serial run, it was later shown as a feature, which makes this the oldest surviving American feature. (source: IMDb)

Giuseppe Ebreo
Italy, 1910

Alfredo Bracci, Gianna Terribili-Gonzales, Emilio Ghione

Early hand-coloured silent version of story of Joseph in Egypt produced by Cines.

Moïse Sauvé des Eaux
France, 1911

Jean Jacquinet, Madeleine Roch
Directed by Henri Andréani

  

Early silent biblical film by Serie d'Art / Pathé Fréres. "This film deals with Moses’ birth and adoption. For three months the parents conceal the child, laying him in masses of straw when the soldiers, acting on Pharaoh’s edict to destroy all the newly-born male children, enter the house, and thrust their spears through the pillow. Later the mother takes the babe down to the banks of the Nile, and leaves it amongst the reeds, where it is found and adopted by the daughter of Pharaoh, who accepts the services of the mother to nurse the child.” (source: The Bioscope, 12 January 1911)

Joseph Fils de Jacob
France, 1913

Directed by Henri Andréani

  

Early silent version of story of Joseph in Egypt produced by Andréani Film/Pathé Frères.

Joseph and His Coat of Many Colors
USA, 1914

Emile La Croix, John St. Polis

  

Incidents depicted in the life of Joseph of Canaan include: the conspiracy of his brothers to sell him into slavery and strip him of the coat of many colors given to him by his father Jacob; Jacob's grief upon seeing the torn coat and hearing from the brothers that Joseph died under a lion's claw; Joseph's hardships as a slave; his arrival in Egypt; his life as a slave in the house of Potiphar, an Egyptian official, whose wife Zelikah tries to seduce Joseph; his imprisonment; his prophecy, which comes true, telling of life for one fellow prisoner and death for another; his interpretation for the pharaoh of the dream of the seven lean and seven fat kine; the seven years of famine in Egypt; and the reconciliation with his father, brothers, their wives and children in Egypt. (source: AFI)

Early silent version of story of Joseph in Egypt produced by Sawyer. Re-released as "Joseph and his Brethren" in 1915 by Dormet Film Co.

Joseph in the Land of Egypt
USA, 1914

James Cruze, Marguerite Snow, John Lehnberg
Directed by Eugene Moore

  

Joseph of Canaan is sold into slavery by his brothers who are jealous of their father's affection for him. They dip his coat into goat's blood and tell the grieving old man that Joseph was slain by a wild beast. After many years, Joseph has become prominent in the pharaoh's house because of his gift for prophesy and dream divination. Because Joseph has foretold a seven-year famine, Egypt has prepared by setting aside stores of grain, but Canaan is struck hard by the blight. Joseph's brothers go to the pharaoh's steward seeking aid, unaware that Joseph is their benefactor. In return for his help, Joseph insists that they bring their youngest brother Benjamin to him, and then, during the visit, Joseph hides a valuable cup with him. The brothers are then seized for theft, after which Joseph reveals himself and proclaims his love and forgiveness for his family. (source: AFI)

Also known as "Joseph and His Brethren" and "Joseph, Son of Jacob".

L'Exode
France, 1920

Directed by Louis Feuillade

  

Telling of the biblical exodus, starting between the ninth and tenth plague, made by the Gaumont studios in France.

Joseph
Italy, 1920

Attilio de Virgiliis, Ettore Mazzanti, Fabbris, Dedy D'Alteno
Directed by Romolo Bacchini

  

Silent version of the story of Joseph that was accompanied by fitting music (at the time played on the theatre organ or by a small orchestra) by italian composer and priest Giocondo Fino. Fino had studied 'oriental languages' and theology before turning to music. He wrote several operas for the theatre, some liturgical works and also composed music to accompany several biblical films.

The Shepherd King
USA, 1923

Violet Mersereau, Virginia Lucchetti, Edy Darclea
Directed by J. Gordon Edwards

  

"Old King Tut would marvel at The Shepherd King."

American silent religious film based on the 1904 Broadway play The Shepherd King by Wright Lorimer (1874-1911) and Arnold Reeves (1870-1935). It tells the biblical story of David, who defeats the Phillistines and becomes king. Though this biblical story is not set in Egypt, the advertising for this film shows the sphinx and the pyramids at Giza and ran the tagline "King Tut would marvel at The Shepherd King". Unfortunately, no prints survive today to be able verify it actutally had any ancient Egyptian content. The King Shepherd had direct competition from Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments from the same year, which tells the story of Moses and the exodus from Egypt and was more successful.

The Ten Commandments
USA, 1923

Theodore Roberts
Directed by Cecil B. DeMille

  

The first part tells the story of Moses leading the Jews from Egypt to the Promised Land, his receipt of the tablets and the worship of the golden calf. The second part shows the efficacy of the commandments in modern life through a story set in San Francisco (!). Two brothers, rivals for the love of Mary, also come into conflict when John discovers Dan used shoddy materials to construct a cathedral.

The exodus was actually filmed in California at Nipomo Dunes near Pismo Beach, where its sand dunes provided an Egyptian looking desert. After filming the massive set of four 35 foot tall Pharaoh statues, 21 sphinxes, and gates reaching a height of 110 feet, were dismantled and buried in the sand. The remains of this site were discovered again in 1983, and in 1988 'DeMille's lost city' passed into the hands of The Nature Conservancy. Hollywood Heritage offered its non-profit sponsorship and in 1990 Bank of America, who had originally sponsored the movie back in 1923, provided a grant for an archaeological survey.

Die Sklavenkönigin
Austria/Hungary, 1924

Adolf Weisse, María Corda, Adelqui Migliar, Arlette Marchal
Directed by Mihaly Kertész

  

At the time of the biblical Exodus from the land of Egypt, young israelite slave Merapi (also called 'Moon of Israel' because of her beauty) falls in love with Seti, the son of pharaoh Meremptah.

Based on the novel by H. Rider Haggard. Also known as "The Slave Queen" and "Moon of Israel". One of director Kertész last Austrian works before he left for Hollywood in 1926, where as Michael Curtiz he had success with films like Captain Blood (1936), The Charge of the Light Brigade(1936) and the classics Casablanca (1942) and Mildred Pierce (1945). In 2004 the film, which was lost for many years, was restored to the original 103 minutes from a nitrate copy in the British Film Institute.

María Magdalena, Pecadora de Magdala
Mexico, 1946

Luis Alcoriza, Medea de Novara, Tito Junco
Directed by Miguel Contreras Torres

  

This film focuses on the actions, death, and resurrection of Jesus, with the title role character of Mary Magdalena appearing mainly as a member of Christ's entourage. It contains a short scene in Egypt at the beginning of a prince Pta-Ho-tep stealing the 'talisman of Isis' from a statue of the goddess in a temple to bring to the wealthy Galilean courtesan Maria Magdalena. Deemed one of the biggest movies in Mexican cinema history. Written by Medea de Novara, who also plays the title role and apparently spent more than 3 years to study the life of Maria Magdalena in order to be able to play this role…

Moses and the Ten Commandments
USA, 1950

Half-hour film by marionette puppeteers Mabel and Les Beaton about the story of Moses and the Ten Commandments. One from a series of 13 short films with bible stories produced by The Religious Film Association on behalf of the (US) National Council of Churches.

The Egyptian
USA, 1954

Michael Wilding, Jean Simmons, Victor Mature, Bella Darvi
Directed by Michael Curtiz

  

In eighteenth-dynasty Egypt, Sinuhe, a poor orphan, becomes a brilliant physician and with his friend Horemheb is appointed to the service of the new pharaoh Akhnaten. Sinuhe's personal triumphs and tragedies are played against the larger canvas of the turbulent events of the 18th dynasty. As Sinuhe is drawn into court intrigues, and bizarre secrets are revealed to him, he learns the answers to the questions he has sought since his birth.

Based on the finnish novel "Sinuhe Egyptiläinen" (Sinuhe the Egyptian) by Mika Waltari. Although Waltari employed some poetic license in combining the biographies of Sinuhe and Akhenaton, he was otherwise much concerned about the historical accurary of his detailed description of ancient Egyptian life and carried out considerable research into the subject. The result has been praised not only by readers but also by egyptologists. The film is also heralded by Christians for Akhnaten being the first monotheistic ruler in the world, who by the end of the film recognizes the Aton sun disk he worshipped is but a symbol of the wamth of the one true god. The film ends thoughtfully with the words "these things happened thirteen centuries before the birth of Jesus Christ..."

Joseph and His Brethren
USA, 1955

Rita Hayworth, Kerwin Mathews, Lee J. Cobb
Directed by William Dieterle

This biblical epic starring Rita Hayworth was in pre-production stage when it was abandoned early 1955. Lee J. Cobb had signed to play Potiphar, and Clifford Odets was employed as scriptwriter. Designer Jean Louis had already made some of the costumes, some sets had already been built and Hayworth had done screen tests for prospective actors to play Joseph. Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Frank Sinatra were considered for the role, but the it eventally went to Kerwin Mathews. Following a dispute, Hayworth abandoned the production just days before shooting started, which resulted in a court battle between her and Columbia Pictures studio. The fact that actress Maureen O'Hara was hired by Columbia shortly thereafter resulted in newspaper speculations that she would take over the leading role, and also newcomer Kim Novak was mentioned, but this did not happen and the project was scrapped.

The Ten Commandments
USA, 1956

Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter, Edward G. Robinson
Directed by Cecil B. DeMille

  

"The Greatest Event in Motion Picture History"

To escape the edict of Egypt's pharaoh Ramses I, condemning all first-born Hebrew males, the infant Moses is set adrift on the Nile in a reed basket. Saved by the pharaoh's daughter Bithiah, he is adopted by her and brought up in the court of her brother, pharaoh Seti. Moses gains Seti's favor and the love of the throne princess Nefertiri, as well as the hatred of Seti's son, Rameses. When his Hebrew heritage is revealed, Moses is cast out of Egypt, and makes his way across the desert where he marries, has a son and is commanded my God to return to Egypt to free the Hebrews from slavery. In Egypt Moses's fiercest enemy proves to be not Rameses, but someone near to him who can 'harden his heart'. (source: IMDb)

The crowning glory of director-producer Cecil B. DeMille's long and distinguished career, which includes many biblical-subject films. Short partly on location in Egypt (Deir el-Bahari, often misidentified as 'the valley of the kings') and Sinai. In keeping with this solid principles DeMille retained a research staff at Paramount Studios and engaged men of the cloth from various religions as technical advisors on the film. Credited Egyptology advisors were William Hayes and Labib Habachi. The film is often called a re-make, since DeMille had already shot a shorter version of The Ten Commandments in 1923, but for its grandiose setup, length and use of color the 1956 version is a different film altogether. Recently a 50th Anniversary Edition DVD was issued which includes both movies and exemplary commentary by Katherine Orrison, author of "Written in Stone - Making Cecil B. DeMille's epic The Ten Commandments".

Yousef o Zoleikha
یوسف و زلیخا

Iran, 1956

Foroozan, Fakhredin
Directed by Siamak Yasami

  

Iranian version of the Biblical story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife, based on a long tradition of Persian and Arabic storytelling about 'Yussef and Zoleikha' going back to the tenth century and --much older-- the 12th Surah (or chapter) of the Quran. Scenes from the film show extensive use of Egyptian props and costumes of various quality.

Ben-Hur
USA, 1959

Charlton Heston, Stephen Boyd, Jack Hawkins, Finlay Currie
Directed by William Wyler

  

This legendary movie features one Egyptian character in the person of 'Balthasar of Alexandria' who is seen in the opening scene as one of the 'Wise Men' bringing gifts to the newborn child Jesus. He reappears later when at an oasis he confronts Judah Ben Hur thinking that he may be the grown man whom he saw as a baby in the stable in Bethlehem. Balthasar soon realizes that Judah is not that man, but the two strike up a friendship. Interestingly, Balthasar is solely identified as an Egyptian by his rather impressive collar which he wears over his heavy cloak!

Solomon and Sheba
USA, 1959

Yul Brynner, Gina Lollobrigida, George Sanders
Directed by King Vidor

  

Shortly before his death in ancient Israel King David has a vision from God telling him that his younger son Solomon should succeed him as king. His other son Adonijah is unhappy and vows to attain the throne. Meanwhile the Egyptian pharaoh agrees to cede a Red Sea port to the Queen of Sheba is she can find a way to destroy Solomon, whose wisdom and benevolent rule is seen as a threat to more tyrannical monarchs in the region. Sheba, pharaoh, Adonijah, the leaders of the Twelve Tribes and his own God make life difficult for Solomon who is tempted by Sheba to stray. (source: IMDb)

Giuseppe Venduto dai Fratelli
Italy, 1960

Geoffrey Horne, Robert Morley, Terence Hill
Directed by Irving Rapper, Luciano Ricci

  

The bible story of Joseph and his brothers. Also known as "Joseph and His Brethren" and "Sold Into Egypt".

Een Idealist
Netherlands, 1963

Ko van Dijk, Sigrid Koetse, Lous Hensen, Henk van Ulsen
Directed by Jack Dixon

Herodes, king of the Jews, is pressured by queen Cleopatra to appoint his wife's brother, the Jewish prince Aristobulus, as new high priest, but manages to poison him before the ceremony. Soon after Marc Anthony and Cleopatra are defeated by Octavian, Herodes sees a vision wherein is announced that the Messiah has been born and will become king of the Jews. This will become his downfall.

Dutch biblical television drama based on the play "En Idealist" (1928) by Danish playwright and Lutheran pastor Kaj Munk.

Hazreti Yusuf'un Hayati
Turkey, 1965

Yusuf Sezgin, Sevda Ferdag, Birsen Menekseli, Sami Ayanoglu
Directed by Muharrem Gürses

  

Drama about "The Life of the Prophet Joseph" by director Muharrem Gürses, who build his career in the 1950's directing populist rural melodramas. Based on the narrative of Joseph in the Quranic tradition. Includes the life of Joseph in Egypt. One from a line of 1960's Turkish religious-themed movies.

Seven Rich Years and Seven Lean
USA, 1966

TV-series Great Bible Adventures

Hugh O'Brian, Joseph Wiseman, Katharine Ross, Eduardo Ciannelli

  

Joseph, the favorite son of his father Jacob, is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, who tell his father that the young man was killed by a lion. As a slave in the house of the pharaoh (Joseph Wiseman), he gains fame for his ability to correctly predict the future. He eventually rises to become a minister for the pharaoh. Among Joseph's prophecies was a period of severe drought after seven years of plentiful harvests. He advised the pharaoh to order the building of great granaries to store wheat during the plentiful years, so that the Egyptians would have sufficient food during the lean years. Joseph's brothers suffered during the famine and brought their families to Egypt in hopes of purchasing food. When they arrived in Egypt they discovered Joseph was no longer a slave; in fact, as the pharaoh's chief minister, he had the power to sell them grain... Or order them killed. (source: IMDb)

Pilot episode for an unsold proposed television series based on various Bible stories. Shown in 1966 in ABC Television "Preview Tonight", an anthology series consisting of pilot episodes for programs ABC considered for future productions.

Yusuf İle Züleyha
Turkey, 1969

Cüneyt Arkın, Necdet Tosun, Yasemin Alev, Füruzan
Directed by E. Koushan

Turkish rendering of the story of (the biblical) Joseph and Potiphar's wife, situated in ancient Egypt, based on the 12th ('Joseph') chapter of the Quran.

Yusuf ile Züleyha
Turkey/Iran, 1970

Yasemin Alev, Cüneyt Arkin, Necdet Tosun
Directed by Türker Inanoglu

  

The story of Joseph and Pontiphar's wife and according to Quranic tradition (where she is named Zoleikha in an old Persian poem, as in the medieval Sefer HaYashar commentary on the Torah).

Hazreti Yusuf
Turkey, 1973

Yaşar Yağmur, Bahar Erdeniz, Nuri Altınok
Directed by Nuri Akinc

The story of islamic prophet Joseph (the biblical son of Jacob) in Egypt based on the narratives in the Quranic tradition. One from a long line of 1960s/1970s Turkish religious-themed productions.

The Story of Jacob and Joseph
USA, 1974

Keith Michell, Tony Lo Bianco, Colleen Dewhurst
Directed by Michael Cacoyannis

  

The biblical story about Jacob and Joseph. Betrayed and sold into slavery to Egypt by his brothers, Joseph meets and overcomes all adversity to become the Prime Minister of Egypt, second only to the pharaoh. (source: IMDb)

Moses the Lawgiver
USA, 1975

Burt Lancaster, Anthony Quayle, Ingrid Thulin
Directed by Gianfranco De Bosio

  

Critics agree this tv-production is probably one of the lesser retellings of the well-known story of Moses and the exodus. Most notable are the music by Ennio Morricone and the fact that Burt Lancaster's son William (Bill) plays Young Moses (as did Charlton Heston's son Fraser in the 1956 film "The Ten Commandments").

Shalom Pharao
Germany, 1982

Directed by Curt Linda

  

Highly praised comical version for young children of the biblical story of Joseph and his brothers.

Moses: From Birth to Burning Bush
USA, 1993

TV-series Animated Stories from the Bible

Ray Porter (voice), Tony Larimer (voice), Vicki Eccel (voice)
Directed by Richard Rich

  

Animated recount of the early years of Moses' life, from the privileged youth in Pharaoh's household to the moment when God speaks to Moses through a burning bush to tell him he is the one to free the Hebrews. Made for the video market.

L'Émigré
المهاجر

Egypt/France, 1994

Ahmed Bedir, Safia El Emari, Khaled El Nabaoui, Michel Piccoli
Directed by Youssef Chahine (يوسف شاهين)

  

Egyptian arabic version of the epic biblical tale of Joseph, son of Jacob. Ram, the Joseph character, is a dreamer and proto-intellectual, bullied by his elder brothers. He dreams of leaving his family's nomadic life to study agriculture in Egypt, the hub of civilization. Though sold into slavery by his brothers, Ram overcomes tough odds and manages to win the approval and help of Amihar, the Theban military chief. Soon he finds himself a pawn in the political and sexual games between Amihar and his wife Simihit, a high priestess of the Cult of Amun.

Filled with beautiful location shots of Egyptian ruins and lush re-enactments of decadent cult rituals, The film is banned in Egypt because some believe it blasphemes Islam by portraying Joseph, whom Muslims consider a prophet, in human terms. French title: "L'Émigré". English title: "The Emigrant".

Passover
USA, 1994

TV-series Rugrats

  

The Pickles family are gathering to celebrate the Passover (Pesakh) Seder at grandpa Boris and grandma Minka's house. The younger generation don't seem to understand the importance of celebrating Passover, "a holiday without presents", but when grandpa tells them the epic story of Moses leading the Hebrews away from the pharaoh and slavery (with character Tommy as Moses and Angelica as the pharaoh), everyone finds something to believe in.

Last episode of season three of the animated television series "Rugrats", which ran for a total of 172 episodes between 1991 and 2004. The series centers around four babies and their day-to-day lives, usually involving common life experiences that become adventures in the babies' imaginations. This particular episode focuses on topics of religion, particularly towards Jewish beliefs and practices. Throughout the episode, the different religious practices of each of the characters is revealed. The episode received overwhelmingly positive reviews from television critics at the time and is one of the most popular episodes of Rugrats in its broadcasting history.

Joseph
Italy/USA/Germany, 1995

Ben Kingsley, Martin Landau, Lesley Ann Warren
Directed by Roger Young

  

TV-miniseries retelling the bible story.

Slave of Dreams
USA, 1995

Edward James Olmos, Sherilyn Fenn
Directed by Robert M. Young

  

An Egyptian executioner's wife tries to seduce Hebrew slave Joseph to fulfill an erotic dream they are experiencing simultaneously.

Joseph
UK, 1996

TV-series Testament: the bible in animation

Directed by Aida Ziablikova

This episode about the life of Joseph in Egypt is part of the biblical puppet animation series "Testament: the bible in animation". Produced for BBC Wales by S4C/Christmas Films in Wales, England. It should be noted that the very well executed puppet animation was done in Russia.

Moses
USA, 1996

Ben Kingsley, Frank Langella, Christopher Lee
Directed by Roger Young

  

TV-miniseries retelling the bible story. Hailed by many Christian reviewers as faithful enough to the biblical text and therefore worth watching.

The Ten Commandments
USA/Canada, 1997

Joel Briel, Ken Prymus, Peter Samuel
Directed by Michael Sporn

  

Animated version of the biblical tale made for video.

Enchanted Tales: A Tale of Egypt
USA, 1998

  

Animated adventures of Moses in the exotic high desert, from the direct-to-video kids' series.

The Prince of Egypt
USA, 1998

Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock
Directed by Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner (and others)

  

DreamWorks SKG's first, full-length animated creation, featuring the latest in digital technology and an impressive cast of voices, is a panoramic retelling of the Old Testament epic of Moses, the Exodus and the origin of the Ten Commandments.

Prince of the Nile: The Story of Moses
Australia, 1998

  

Imitation of the Prince of Egypt from the same year.

Ein Prinz für Ägypten
Germany, 1998

Prince of Egypt clone, released on the home video market by the German company Dingo Pictures which produces short videos for children.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
UK, 1999

Donny Osmond, Richard Attenborough, Joan Collins
Directed by David Mallet

  

In this filmed adaption of the long-running musical, we see the story of Joseph, son of Jacob. The favoured son, he is betrayed by his jealous brothers and sold into slavery and driven to Egypt. Though beset with adversity, Joseph perseveres through wit and faith and becomes the governor of Egypt, second only to the pharaoh. This all the sets the scene for when he meets his brothers who have come to Egypt to purchase food. (source: IMDB)

Film based on the musical written by Tim Rice, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

In the Beginning
USA/Germany, 2000

Martin Landau, Christopher Lee, Jacqueline Bisset
Directed by Kevin Connor

  

TV mini-series telling the biblical tales from the books of Genesis and Exodus, of course also prominently featuring the Exodus from Egypt.

Joseph: King of Dreams
USA, 2000

Ben Affleck (voice), Mark Hamill (voice)
Directed by Rob LaDuca, Robert C. Ramirez

  

Joseph, a miracle child with the gift of interpreting dreams, is sold by his brothers to slave traders who take him to faraway Egypt. There he is sold to Potiphar, the captain of pharaoh's army. Joseph continues to stand out and Potiphar eventually puts him in charge of his household. There Joseph meets Asenath, with whom he falls in love. But Potiphar's wife also notices Joseph, and one night after attempting to approach him, Joseph is falsely accused of harming her. He is thrown into prison where he remains for a number of years until one day pharaoh needs him to interpret a dream that has been torturing him lately. Joseph interprets pharaoh's dreams which represent a famine in Egypt, and pharaoh is so impressed that he makes Joseph the second most powerful man in the land in order to prepare the country for the famine. Joseph meets Asenath again and they marry. It is during this time when he is reunited with his family who come to Egypt for food.

Animated film by DreamWorks made for video, made in the same style as the successful "The Prince of Egypt" (USA, 1999).

József és Testvérei
Hungary, 2000

Gábor Nyári, Beáta Bóka, György Krámer, Pál Szepesi
Directed by Iván Markó

  

Made-for-television musical version of the biblical story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, but who rose to become vizier and the second most powerful man in Egypt next to Pharaoh.

Maria figlia del suo figlio
Italy, 2000

Yaël Abecassis, Nicholas Rogers, Nancho Novo
Directed by Fabrizio Costa

  

This biblical film, which follows the texts of the Holy Scriptures to the letter, is the story of Jesus as seen through the eyes of Mary. There is an episode in Egypt, where Jesus comes into contact with Egyptian priests.

The Ten Commandments
USA, 2006

Dougray Scott, Linus Roache, Omar Sharif, Paul Rhys

  

Two-part four-hour television miniseries by RHI Entertainment (formerly Hallmark Entertainment). Shot on location in Ouarzazate, Morocco with a stellar international cast, the miniseries charts Moses’ dramatic journey, from his narrow escape from death as a child to his emancipation of the Hebrew slaves and the renowned parting of the Red Sea.

The Ten Commandments
USA, 2007

TV-series Epic Stories of the Bible

Ben Kingsley, Christian Slater and Elliott Gould
Directed by John Stronach, Bill Boyce

  

Feature-length computer-animated film retelling of the story of Moses, the reluctant leader, who in the midst of trials and danger finds the strength to lead his people to freedom. First film in the "Epic Stories of the Bible" series by Promenade Pictures, a company creating family-friendly films.

Yousef Payambar
یوسف پیامبر

Iran, 2008

Katayoun Riyahi, Mohmoud Pakniyat, Jafar Deghan, Hossein Jafari
Directed by Farajollah Salahshur

45-part television series about the life of "Joseph the Prophet" based on the Quranic tradition and common roots from Judaic and Torah teachings. The main part of the series (starting from episode 9) is set in the historical context of the Amarna period and in some scenes shows better costumes and set dressing than those found in contemporary western productions. The series was warmly received by Iranian as well as Arab audiences and was a big success in the Middle East, although sharp protests were heard from the Sunni Muslim side (especially in Tunesia) for violating prohibitions against biblically depicting prophets of Muslim scripture.

Exodus: Let My People Go
USA, 2011

TV-series Superbook

Shannon Chan-Kent, Paul Dobson, Jim Conrad

  

On a lazy afternoon, the children Chris Joy and Gizmo are hanging out in the lab recalling the great adventures they've had with Superbook. This prompts Gizmo to question whether they've yet experienced the greatest Bible story of all time. In answer to his question, Superbook whisks the children away to meet Moses as he is chosen by God to free the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt.

Episode 4 from the animated series 'Superbook'. It is a remake of a successful cartoon series by the same name from the 1980s, wanting to inspire a new generation of kids for the Bible with exciting adventures around Bible stories using the latest 3D CGI technology.

José do Egito
Brazil, 2013

Andréa Avancini, Marcela Barrozo, Binho Beltrão

  

Modern retelling of the biblical story of Joseph, son of Jacob, who, after having been sold into slavery by his brothers, eventually becomes vizier of Egypt and is finally reunited with his family. This lavish production, which cost about $17,000,000, is part of a series of Brazilian biblical mini-series and follows the earlier productions of the stories of Esther (2010), Samson and Delilah (2011) and Koning David (2012). The exterior desert scenes of "José do Egito" were recorded in the Atacama desert in Chili, in Egypt and in Israel.

Joseph and the Pharaoh's Dream
Japan, 2013

TV-series Superbook

  

Chris has a very precise plan for how he is going to get what he wants. He cannot handle it when things don't go according to his own plan. Superbook transports him back to ancient Egypt. As he watches Joseph rise from prisoner to governor of Egypt and gain a long lost bond with his brothers, Chris learns to forego his own plans and trust a little more in God's plans instead.

Episode from the modern 3D biblical animated series Superbook, also known as Animated Parent and Child Theater (Anime Oyako Gekijo). The series was originally created in 1981 as a 2D animated series by the Japan-based Christian Broadcasting Network as part of an outreach to the younger generation. After the 2D series began to lose its appeal, the 3D series was started in 2011.

Exodus: Gods and Kings
USA, 2014

Christian Bale, Sigourney Weaver, Aaron Paul
Directed by Ridley Scott

  

Biblical epic directed by Ridley Scott about the story of the exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt, starring Christian Bale as Moses. "The story of one man’s daring courage to take on the might of an empire. Using state of the art visual effects and 3D immersion, Scott brings new life to the story of the defiant leader Moses (Christian Bale) as he rises up against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses (Joel Edgerton), setting 600,000 slaves on a monumental journey of escape from Egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues" (source: exodusgodsandkings.com).

Os Dez Mandamentos
Brazil, 2015

Camila Rodrigues, Guilherme Winter, Sergio Marone, Zé Carlos Machado
Directed by Alexandre Avancini

  

Luscious Brazilian tv soap opera set in ancient Egypt. Loosely based on the biblical story of Moses and the Ten Commandments, it spans 100 years in an impressive 150 episodes. Various subplots provide juicy family conflicts, intrigues, power struggles, betrayal, jealousy, hatred, forbidden passions and impossible loves.

Os Dez Mandamentos: Filme
Brazil, 2016

Camila Rodrigues, Guilherme Winter, Sergio Marone, Zé Carlos Machado
Directed by Alexandre Avancini

  

Shortened two-hour film version of the succesful Brazilian biblical television series by the same name from 2015.


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