4KHD Release: The Ten Commandments

4KHD, Blu-ray & Digital Release Date: March 30, 2021
Price: 4KHD/Blu-ray/Digital $19.99
Studio: Paramount

Bringing to life the inspiring story of Moses in all its stunning glory, The Ten Commandments has withstood the test of time.  To commemorate the film’s 65th anniversary in 2021, Cecil B. DeMille’s groundbreaking 1956 cinematic triumph will be available to watch at home in time for Easter in sparkling 4K Ultra HD with High Dynamic Range.

As part of the restoration done in 2010, the film was scanned in 6K and those files were the basis for this brand-new Dolby Vision version, which shows off the full beauty of the original VistaVision negative. The VistaVision format used special cameras to feed 35mm film into the camera horizontally in order to capture a wider image spread over two 35mm film frames, giving VistaVision twice the resolution of regular 35mm film.  In addition, Paramount spent well over 150 hours doing new color work and clean-up on the scan.  The move to Dolby Vision created the opportunity to further improve the look of the film:  blacks are enhanced and improvements were made to smooth out special effects mattes to create the most vibrant and pristine image possible.

The 4K film presentation contains an introduction by DeMille, an intermission, an overture/exit music card, and an entr’acte card, along with a DTS-HD 5.1 lossless soundtrack.

The new set includes a 4K Ultra HD disc, two Blu-ray discs, and access to a Digital copy of the film.  Following is a breakdown of the disc contents:

4K Ultra HD Disc

• 1956 feature film in 4K Ultra HD
• Commentary by Katherine Orrison, author of “Written in Stone: Making Cecil B. DeMille’s Epic The Ten Commandments”

Blu-ray Disc^™ #1

• 1956 feature film in high definition (Part 1)
• Commentary by Katherine Orrison, author of “Written in Stone: Making Cecil B. DeMille’s Epic The Ten Commandments”

Blu-ray Disc^™ #2

• 1956 feature film in high definition (Part 2)
• Commentary by Katherine Orrison, author of “Written in Stone: Making Cecil B. DeMille’s Epic The Ten Commandments”
• Newsreel footage of the film’s New York premiere
• Theatrical trailers, including at 10-minute “making of” trailer