- Actors: Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock, Jeff Goldblum
- Directors: Brenda Chapman, Simon Wells, Steve Hickner
- Writers: Nicholas Meyer, Philip LaZebnik
- Producers: Jeffrey Katzenberg, Linda Olszewski, P.J. Hanke
- Language English, Hebrew
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 1.85:1
- Classification: U
- Studio: Universal
- VHS Release Date: 16 Feb 2000
- Run Time: 99 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004D36F
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,746 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Nearly every biblical film is ambitious, creating pictures to go with some of the most famous and sacred stories in the Western world. DreamWorks' first animated film, The Prince of Egypt was the vision of executive producer Jeffrey Katzenberg after his ugly split from Disney, where he had been acknowledged as a key architect in that studio's rebirth (The Little Mermaid, etc.). His first film for the company he helped create was a huge, challenging project without a single toy or merchandising tie-in, the backbone du jour of family entertainment in the 1990s.
Three directors and 16 writers succeed in carrying out much of Katzenberg's vision. The linear story of Moses is crisply told, and the look of the film is stunning; indeed, no animated film has looked so ready to be placed in the Louvre since Fantasia. Here is an Egypt alive with energetic bustle and pristine buildings. Born a slave and set adrift in the river, Moses (voiced by Val Kilmer) is raised as the son of Pharaoh Seti (Patrick Stewart) and is a fitting rival for his stepbrother Rameses (Ralph Fiennes). When he learns of his roots--in a knockout sequence in which hieroglyphics come alive--he flees to the desert, where he finds his roots and heeds God's calling to free the slaves from Egypt.
Katzenberg and his artists are careful to tread lightly on religious boundaries. The film stops at the parting of the Red Sea, only showing the Ten Commandments--without commentary--as the film's coda. Music is a big part (there were three CDs released) and Hans Zimmer's score and Stephen Schwartz's songs work well--in fact the pop-ready, Oscar-winning "When You Believe" is one of the weakest songs. Kids ages 5 and up should be able to handle the referenced violence; the film doesn't shy away from what Egyptians did to their slaves. Perhaps Katzenberg could have aimed lower and made a more successful animated film, but then again, what's a heaven for? --Doug Thomas
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Firstly, I am not at all religious, and though I am not fully aware of the changes made to the original story, I can't say it differed much from the story I remember being taught as a child. In my mind, this film does it exactly as it sets out to do, entertain whilst delivering one of the most well-known and influential biblical stories of all time.
The animation is top notch, a mixture of both CGI and hand-drawn, whilst the characters all have a beautifully chiselled design I have come to know and love from Dreamworks animation. The voice actors all do a top-notch job and I can say there is not one song in this film that I don't adore! All the songs and music just fit perfectly.
I first saw this film when I was about ten years old, a year or so after it came out and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Now, as an older teen, I still do and can see no reason why other children or adults wouldn't. Perhaps younger children under the age of eight might find the graphical interpretation of the plagues distressing but as a ten year old I certainly didn't and doubt I would have had I been even younger.
Perhaps what I find most attractive about this film is the fact that although it depicts a religious story, it in no way screams for the watcher to either believe or disbelieve the story it portrays, instead it merely points them to the book of Exodus if they want to read it for themselves.
Whatever your beliefs this is a fantastic film all round.
The animation is top notch, a mixture of both CGI and hand-drawn, whilst the characters all have a beautifully chiselled design I have come to know and love from Dreamworks animation. The voice actors all do a top-notch job and I can say there is not one song in this film that I don't adore! All the songs and music just fit perfectly.
I first saw this film when I was about ten years old, a year or so after it came out and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Now, as an older teen, I still do and can see no reason why other children or adults wouldn't. Perhaps younger children under the age of eight might find the graphical interpretation of the plagues distressing but as a ten year old I certainly didn't and doubt I would have had I been even younger.
Perhaps what I find most attractive about this film is the fact that although it depicts a religious story, it in no way screams for the watcher to either believe or disbelieve the story it portrays, instead it merely points them to the book of Exodus if they want to read it for themselves.
Whatever your beliefs this is a fantastic film all round.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
'The Prince of Egypt' mixes historical, biblical and Hollywood-style outlooks towards the story of the life of Moses. Not everything is true to the bibllical account, and although changes may seem unnecessary, they fit in comfortably with the story. Spectacular visual effects, such as the parting of the Red Sea glue you to the screen, fitting in with the original music such as "Deliver us" and "When you believe". The journey from Egypt will leave you moved - each person in the huge crowd of people seems individual and real. Christians and non-Christians alike will enjoy this film, despite the DreamWorks alterations. The star-studded cast of voices includes Michelle Pfeiffer, Helen Mirren, Val Kilmer and Ralph Fiennes, some of these also singing. I really enjoyed this film, with the powerful, if abrupt, ending proving that you're never too old for Disney-style animation.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I bought this DVD because my class started watching it in music to analyse the effectivness of the music and i was curious to see the whole film. I wasn't disappointed - the animation is amazing, so good that you dont think it's animated at times, the story line was fantastic and much praise should go to the fabulous voice overs - their feeling made the film what it was. The music in the film was very moving making the many moods of the film my personal favourites were Deliver Us, and When You Believe... buy this movie you wont be disappointed!!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Brilliant!
A brilliant film for all ages, fun and educational for young children, and good value for money. Arrived well packaged from the supplier, although no order form inside, in case of... Read more
Published 2 months ago by C. Lawrence
Great movie!
Love this movie sooo glad to get it on dvd! Great price to pay for it . Hope who ever buys it enjoys it too!!!
Published 4 months ago by Sharmane
All I Ever Wanted
Such a great film, good fun and brilliant music. I don't understand why this hasn't become more of a classic... maybe because of the scary plagues.
Published 4 months ago by SLJN
Prince of Egypt DVD
I already knew this was agood product because I had the video. Great delivery service. It is abundantly suitable for a wide age range.
Published 5 months ago by sundowner2250
The Prince of Egypt
DreamWorks The Prince of Egypt is just a spectacular film in so many ways.
The film is an adaptation of the Moses story found in the Bible book of Exodus but as the... Read more
The film is an adaptation of the Moses story found in the Bible book of Exodus but as the... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Andrew Whitby
Amazing, moving, inspiring film
This is a very moving film, in some scenes I even had shivers down my spine, particularly where 'God' is present.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Prince of Egypt. Read more
I thoroughly enjoyed the Prince of Egypt. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Gerry
A good Bible story
It's a good classic story but my young grandson was back playing with his cars and toys after 20min. Did not hold his attention.
Published 6 months ago by Mr. H. T. Brown
prince of egypt
but this... you'll love it, your kids will love it, heck even the pets will love it. its about the story of moses and his animated life in egypt growning up and all the trimmings... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Shan
Excellent
This is an excellent film based on the bible story of Moses, from the escape of Pharaoh to God's wonders and to ultimately saving his people from the hands of the Egyptians; this... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Dude6230
The Prince of Egypt
An exciting Bible tale which tells the story of Moses and his God-given destiny to rescue his people from slavery in Egypt. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mrs. Marjorie E. Blake
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