This is a 2014 blockbuster epic historic drama film directed by Ridley Scott. It is the retelling of the 10 Commandments, but from Ridley Scott’s perspective. It was the biggest hit of summer 2014. It was praised for its grand scale visuals and storytelling. The film stars Christian Bale and Joel Edgarton. Christian Bale plays Moses and Joel Edgarton plays Rameses.
Ridley Scott is known for his epic historic drama films and sci-fi horror. He has directed films like Alien, Prometheus, Blade runner, Gladiator, Napoleon and Alien covenant. His films are known for their large-scale set pieces. He shoots everything on camera with minimal use of CGI. He stages sequences for real. He only uses CGI when necessary. One of Ridley Scott’s greatest power is drawing. Ridley Scott is also a trained artist. He used to be an art director. He draws his own storyboards. He even comes up with the ideas of huge scale sets. In this film, Exodus- Gods and Kings, Ridley Scott brings his entire hallmark signature style. Ridley Scott wanted a different version of the biblical mythology. He wrote the story himself. He wanted the story to be his version, not from the bible. Ridley Scott wrote the draft the story he wanted to tell and drew the storyboard of the film himself. He and his team worked on the concepts based on Egyptian history and culture. Ridley Scott first focus on the story, then on the technical part of it.
The film is a 6 act narrative thread.
ACT 1A introduces the characters – Moses and Rameses. Their bond and trust in shown in the film. Moses is adopted and brought up in the palace. They are given a test to see how they fight as a group and test their loyalty. They manage to pass the test, as they fight the Hitties. Moses and Rameses are considered eligible for the throne. Seti, the king, adores Moses more than Rameses. Moses is sent to Pithom to investigate the condition of the slaves. He meets Nun, who is an honest slave. Nun decides to call Moses to his place. This is where the story starts progressing. Moses believes his first lie- being loyal to his brother is way better than being loyal to his people. The inciting incident happens when, Moses learns from Nun that, he is a Hebrew and also the chosen one- the one who would one day free Egypt from slavery. Moses refuses to listen to the words Nun says and departs.
In ACT 1B, the slave trader comes to know this from one of the slaves. This is where the danger closes in. Seti, is near the death-point and this is where the story is pushed forward. Rameses becomes the next king. The sudden danger foreshadowed becomes a reality when, the slave trader arrives at Rameses place, bringing him news about Moses. The conflict between brother and brother begins as Rameses inches closer towards the truth about Moses. Moses normal life is now turned upside down. Moses is a Hebrew, the ones the rich and powerful hate. Moses is taken in custody and banished from the kingdom. He heads towards the mountains and finds shelter.
In ACT 2A, Moses started a family. He is married and has a son. He now stays away from his destiny. Rameses has become a powerful dictator. He tortures and kills every Hebrew for his benefit. The turning point happens when, Moses meets a god in disguise of a boy. Moses denies god’s existence. He still fears the fact that, god exists in a human form. God tells Moses to go and witness the condition of his people. This will force him to get rid of the lie he believes. Moses confronts Rameses in his palace. Moses warns Ramases to free the slaves and give them equal rights. But, Rameses refuses. This is where Moses gets rid of the lie he believes and forms a rebellion against Rameses power.
In ACT 2B, the fight for freedom begins. Moses burns all the supplies of the villagers, so that, Rameses power can reduce with the rebellion of the crowd. But, this part fails, as Rameses is still in power. So, god comes up with a new plan. He uses the fury of nature to destroy Rameses supplies. The demand and pressure on Rameses grow heavier. Moses warns Rameses that, if he doesn’t free the Hebrews (slaves) god will have his final act of vengeance. Rameses doesn’t take it as a threat. God conjures up the final plan. All the children of the Hebrews, including Rameses child, froze stiff while in sleep.
In ACT 3A, the final conflict happens between Moses and Rameses as Rameses brings his dead son to him. This pushes the story forward, when Rameses gives the permission to take the Hebrew slaves to the island in the opposite side of the sea. Moses starts to take his people to the free world, but Rameses vengeance closes in. The stakes rise when, Rameses inches towards Moses and his people. Moses seeks god’s help to cross the sea. God opens the path and Moses and his people cross the sea to the free world. The timing of the stakes are raised when Rameses along with his massive army inch towards Moses people. With time, the sea begins to resurface. Moses and his people make a quick run. The sea closes in separating Moses and Rameses. Rameses loses his people, due to his mindless actions and Moses and his people are reunited in the free world.
In ACT 3B the story is resolved. Moses has become the new leader of his people.
Ridley Scott is known for building large scale sets. He is done it in his films like Prometheus, Gladiator, Martian and Alien. With Exodus, he pushes the scale of set built. His sets bring the historic culture of Egypt to life. The set design of Rameses palace has been built by keeping in mind the rich aesthetics. The gold chandeliers, wooden diners and large pillars depict Rameses powerful nature. The sets of the slave camp have torn tents, small cottages and coal mines to show the poor starving condition of the slaves. The big scale cities identify the rich and the small-scale cottages identify the poor. Ridley Scott first drew out the set with his production team. Since he was an art director, he knows how sets work and which sets serves the story element and which does not. The sets were all build in Ridley’ studio for real. Each set is built and staged for each scene.
The film has only light use of CG elements and more use of practical elements. Ridley Scott is able to balance between the real and virtual version of the film. The alligator attack on the boat, was done with the use of an animatronic crocodile. The large crowd of crocodile was done with the use of CGI. The wasps entering the kingdom were all CG. The horses used in the film were all real. The fight scene in the 1st act was all shot on location with real actors and stunt performers. The shattered ice cubes falling on Rameses’s palace was all real. The scene where Rameses puts a snake on his shoulder where all rubber snakes, brought to life through folly sound. The most epic CG shot is the tide waves in the 3rd act closing in.
The use of the close ups on the characters faces create the dramatic conflict. The use of wide shot, gives an epic scale of the site and establishes the world. Ridley Scott excessively uses wide shot in his films to make the audience dive into his world. He even uses it to stage epic battle scenes. His love for wide shots bring out the cinematic feel. He uses real locations to stage his shots. He uses wide shot in Exodus to create a cinematic feel, establish setting and character conflict. He uses wide shot to show the beauty of Egypt, with the lanterns lighting in night time. There is also an epic wide shot where, Rameses army fall off a cliff in the 3rd act. It brings the thrill and the cost that Rameses must pay. The close-up shots are only used for dialogue and drama. To bring in the emotional connection among the characters and the audience. Even the camera movement creates the dramatic conflict. For example- when all the Hebrew children in ACT 2B freeze, the camera pulls back faster bringing in the suspense and what’s to come next. The fast tracking shot of Moses charging against Rameses enhances the emotional conflict between the two of them. Even engages the audience. Colour plays a major role in the film. The use of grey colour depicts enslavement and Rameses cruel tyrannical power. The use of blue colour depicts the sad life of Moses, the pain, the struggle and trying to find peace. The use of yellow colour depicts Egypt as a powerful nation and happy moments when the slaves are freed.
Costumes also play a major role in the story. They depict characters, their arcs and also their culture. Moses in the 1st ACT wears a Egyptian warrior dress, which depicts his character arc and his loyalty to his brother Rameses. In the 2nd ACT, Moses wears a shepherd’s clothes depicting his exiled life and letting go of his destiny. In the 3rd ACT, Moses wears a black warrior shirt, depicting him as the hope giver. Rameses, through the entire act wears the same costume – golden robes and pharaoh armor, depicting his power over the poor and oppressed. He doesn’t change through the story. The slaves wear tattered clothes to depict their poor condition and poverty life.
Editing plays a major role in the storytelling and character development. For the final scene, there is intercut between Moses and Rameses, depicting their character. In the intercut, Moses is guiding his people through the mountains towards the sea where the island is. On the other hand, Rameses and his army are racing against time to stop Moses. It gives the feel of time and dangers closing in. It creates a doubt among the audience who will win- Moses or Rameses. When it comes to suspense, the editing brings it to life. For example- the Hebrew children freezing up. The edit makes the camera hold still first. There is cut to the wide shot, where the shadow closes in. It held for five seconds to make the audience sink into it. Then, there is a cut to the parent’s panicking, by seeing their children frozen stiff. Then, there is a cut to the wide shot with the screams and yell. In the sea crossing scene, there is a duel between Moses and Rameses. There is a cut of the wide shot of the waves closing in creating the time- ticking clock of who will make it out alive. It exerts the timing of the adrenaline. Then, there is a cut to the mountain shot, where the sea closes the barrier. It gives an epic feel to the shot.
This is one of best biblical mythology ever made. The reason why it is still relevant because of its interesting theme and story narrative. Those who love Ridley Scott’s works can watch this film on Netflix.