The Ten Commandments: The Movie
Follows Moses leading and conducting the Hebrew people from the slavery of Egypt to the freedom towards the Promised Land according to the Ancient Testament Bible book of the Exodus. The story told like never before is faithful to the Scriptures.
The film disappointed at the box office against its mid-range budget of $39.3M, earning $37.1M globally (-6% loss).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Ten Commandments: The Movie (2016) showcases meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of Alexandre Avancini's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Moses lives as an Egyptian prince in Pharaoh's palace, unaware of his Hebrew heritage, enjoying privilege and status in the royal household.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Moses discovers his true identity as a Hebrew when he witnesses the brutal treatment of slaves and learns he was born to Hebrew parents, shattering his entire worldview.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Moses chooses to flee Egypt and leave behind his royal life, crossing into the desert wilderness of Midian, accepting his new identity as a fugitive and shepherd., moving from reaction to action.
At 60 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Pharaoh refuses to release the Hebrews despite initial plagues, and instead increases their suffering, making Moses' mission seem impossible and raising the stakes dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 90 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The tenth plague strikes - the death of the firstborn - bringing death to Egypt. The whiff of death is literal, marking the darkest moment before deliverance., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 97 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. The Hebrews cross the Red Sea to freedom. The Egyptian army is destroyed. Moses leads the people to Mount Sinai where he receives the Ten Commandments, establishing the covenant between God and His people., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Ten Commandments: The Movie's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Ten Commandments: The Movie against these established plot points, we can identify how Alexandre Avancini utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Ten Commandments: The Movie within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Moses lives as an Egyptian prince in Pharaoh's palace, unaware of his Hebrew heritage, enjoying privilege and status in the royal household.
Theme
A Hebrew slave speaks about freedom and God's deliverance, establishing the central theme: true identity and purpose come from faith, not worldly power.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Moses' privileged life in Egypt, the brutal oppression of Hebrew slaves, the relationship between Moses and Rameses, and the secret of Moses' true heritage.
Disruption
Moses discovers his true identity as a Hebrew when he witnesses the brutal treatment of slaves and learns he was born to Hebrew parents, shattering his entire worldview.
Resistance
Moses struggles with his identity, witnessing Hebrew suffering firsthand. He kills an Egyptian taskmaster in defense of a Hebrew slave, leading to his exile and flight into the wilderness.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Moses chooses to flee Egypt and leave behind his royal life, crossing into the desert wilderness of Midian, accepting his new identity as a fugitive and shepherd.
Premise
Moses builds a new life as a shepherd, learns humility and faith, encounters God at the burning bush, receives his divine mission, and returns to Egypt to confront Pharaoh with the demand to free the Hebrews.
Midpoint
Pharaoh refuses to release the Hebrews despite initial plagues, and instead increases their suffering, making Moses' mission seem impossible and raising the stakes dramatically.
Opposition
The plagues intensify as Pharaoh's heart hardens repeatedly. Each plague increases pressure on both sides, with the Hebrews suffering more and Moses facing doubt from his own people.
Collapse
The tenth plague strikes - the death of the firstborn - bringing death to Egypt. The whiff of death is literal, marking the darkest moment before deliverance.
Crisis
Moses and the Hebrews process the weight of what has occurred, the cost of freedom. Pharaoh releases them, but grief and fear permeate both camps as they prepare for the exodus.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The Hebrews cross the Red Sea to freedom. The Egyptian army is destroyed. Moses leads the people to Mount Sinai where he receives the Ten Commandments, establishing the covenant between God and His people.