MovieChat Forums > The Ten Commandments (1956) Discussion > Commercials spoil this Grand Epic

Commercials spoil this Grand Epic

posted 10 years ago by Thumpersma
21 replies | jump to latest

I am amazed at how brilliant the colors are this year. The detail is phenomenal. In past years, I've always been disappointed by the drabness of the color whether it was due to the age of the print being screened or just my TV. But this year, I am blown away by the beauty.

My only complaint is the bazillion commercials chopping it up and ripping the continuity to shreds. Since this is such a beloved film, couldn't ABC find it in their hearts to show it with limited commercials? One or two commercials every 45 minutes or so would be plenty to keep this movie profitable.

Just my two cents as I HATE commercials!

[–] brtndr 10 years ago

My only complaint is the bazillion commercials chopping it up and ripping the continuity to shreds.

Yeah, it's hard to believe that when they first started showing 'The Ten Commandments' on Easter Sunday back in 1973, commercials breaks were 20-30 minutes apart, and there was only one commercial per break that was about 1 minute long. Now the amount of breaks, the amount of commercials shown during those breaks and the length of the commercial breaks themselves is so over the top annoying. But, it's Easter so I have to watch it.

[–] Randy-144 10 years ago

On tonight's showing there was the disclaimer before the movie started that went something like, "The following film has been modified from its original version. It has been formatted to fit this screen, to run in the time allotted and edited for content." The last part about run time indicates that ABC cut story time to allow more commercial time.

[–] AutoexecBatman 10 years ago

The only things that were removed was Cecil B De Mille's introduction, which most people would think was 'boring' and which goes on for too long, and the intermission. Everything else was exactly the way it was when the film was first released in 1956.

[–] bens33 9 years ago

The Overture and Exit music are also cut out.

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

[–] vixengal 10 years ago

That's why Al Gore Invented Blu-ray.

[–] Vega_Lyra 10 years ago

I agree that the colors were especially vibrant last night.

The presentation was well done, but I agree, way too many commercials, and some were not at all appropriate for a screening of a religious film.

Still, I'm glad that ABC continues the tradition of airing it.

Conquer your fear, and I promise you, you will conquer death.

[–] Slogutis 10 years ago

I couldn't believe how jarring the commercials were. It seemed more annoying than usual or maybe it's just been a while since I watched a movie on TV.

[–] CineramaMama 10 years ago

You're right, the commercials are mindless. Much worse than the old days. ABC used to allot 4 hours for this epic, now they need almost another hour just for the spots, but nothing has been cut from the film.

[–] CineramaMama 10 years ago

The colors on the remastered home release look very good, but on TV last night, everything had a greenish tint. The commercials looked better.

[–] RichN36 10 years ago

I always start my DVD around the same time the Movie starts on TV. It saves me roughly 30 minutes and at the Intermission when I have to change my DVD to the second disk I take care of personal business and refill the Snack dish.

Col. G. Stonehill: Most people around here have heard of Rooster Cogburn.

[–] rck1 10 years ago

I recorded it. I'm just watching it now. I'm speeding past the commercials. However, they are still annoying! I'm thinking I might buy a copy so I don't have to deal with commercials. This film is as wonderful as when I first saw it in the theater in 1956.

[–] hisgrandmogulhighness 10 years ago

Yes, that's what's so incredible about this movie . . . it's as exciting today as it was decades ago . . . amazing!

[–] bureau203 9 years ago

I haven't watched live TV for ten years, and this is why.

If I can't watch it on NetFlix, I will either buy it or not watch it at all. The number of commercials now is so obnoxious, watching anything on TV is just aggravating.

I've seen things that would make you want to write a book on how to puke.

[–] hisgrandmogulhighness 9 years ago

Okay, but sometimes the commercials are nice, you can go and do things, get them done, and hurry back . . . one time I timed everything because I had to run to the store . . . true, I'd miss a portion of the film, but not that much, and since the film is so long, they'd be so much more to see--I hurried, and got back as quickly as I could . . . so, sometimes those commercials do come in handy . . .

[–] mill722002 9 years ago

With home video as big as it is, any fan of this fantasy film should have it on DVD already