MovieChat Forums > The Ten Commandments (1956) Discussion > I always wondered why....(spoiler)

I always wondered why....(spoiler)

posted 9 years ago by ascott39
8 replies | jump to latest

No one killed Dathan sooner once the Hebrews were freed. I guess maybe because he's meant to be less of an actual person and more of a symbol of the faithlessness, selfishness and materialistic greed within all of us. It's harder to kill those things than it is to kill an actual person. Either way, he's always hard for me to stomach whenever I watch this, but I guess that's the whole point. The movie would be less successful in getting across its message without him.

"The storm cannot be stopped, but it can be survived.'"

[–] Tyler-A-Arse 9 years ago

It would've been nice to see him get slice and diced early on. But you have to have the irritating antagonist around.

[–] DodgersRule 9 years ago

I agree with this but, on the other hand, the actor that plays him is soooo great you almost hate to see him go .... 😀

[–] Ite 9 years ago

Good question I hate him lol.

[–] lonnieanixt 9 years ago

You have to look at it like this. The story of Moses was written out by God himself, each character has a purpose and a unique symbolism. Dathan saw Miracles, and yet he still could not see past his own selfishness. Dathan served a purpose. He is a warning.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

In his case, they reluctantly obeyed the commandment "Thou shalt not kill."

[–] ATG6 (3000) a year ago

Dathan was a bad boss, a literal slave-driver, who was given power by the Egyptians for ratting on his own people. But once the Israelites were freed, Dathan had no more power other than his power to persuade. People no longer saw him as a threat. And killing him would be initiating violence needlessly.

[–] ejbronte (60) 6 months ago

Plus: no way should you get rid of Edward G. Robinson before you absolutely have to.

[–] liscarkat (18367) 6 months ago

At the end of the picture, in a shower of machine gun bullets.