MovieChat Forums > The Ten Commandments (1923) Discussion > How was the Red Sea sequence filmed?

How was the Red Sea sequence filmed?

posted 16 years ago by Mattbasterson
13 replies | jump to latest

I know this is well known in some circles, so could someone elaborate?

[–] vibgyor1 15 years ago

With special effects.

[–] Mattbasterson 15 years ago

This is why parents should monitor their childrens' use of the internet.

[–] vibgyor1 15 years ago

Your welcome.

My response was entirely accurate.

IF you need further explanation please PM me.

[–] Mattbasterson 15 years ago

I reiterrate my previous statement. Now, run along and play. Adults are talking here. And "your" does not = you're.

[–] vibgyor1 15 years ago

After 2 years you should be thankful that anybody responded to your dumb question.

[–] Mattbasterson 15 years ago

Its getting late, and a school night too... better get your jamies on and get ready for bed, junior.

[–] vibgyor1 15 years ago

It would be sweet if you tucked me in.

[–] angmc43 14 years ago

DeMille used gelatin for the parted sea, had it melt into a splash, and reversed the film.

[–] Tina-37 13 years ago

That's what I also remember hearing on the commentary for the DVD version of the silent movie (commentary by DeMille scholar Katherine Orrison). For its' time it was considered revolutionary.

[–] porfle 12 years ago

Rather than having the gelatin melt, it looks to me as though De Mille simply poured a couple of tanks of water over it, which was then reversed. Anyway, it's a cool effect.

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[–] mojo2004 11 years ago

TCM aired this film last week. I ordered the VHS version of it because it was only $2 and I already own the 1956 version.

How the parting of the red sea was done is listed on the page here in the trivia section.

"The effect of the parting of the Red Sea was created by placing two blocks of blue gelatin side-by-side, heating them until they melted...then running the footage in reverse."

Sheldon:"Was the starfish wearing boxer shorts? Because you might have been watching Nickelodeon."

[–] porfle 9 years ago

Except that you can tell the liquid is flowing much faster than melting gelatin ever could--it's obviously a great deal of water being poured over the molded gelatin and then reversed.

Also, this reverse effect, as well as the one used when God is "writing" the Commandments, is listed as a "goof." Which is, of course, ridiculous, since this is a widely-used and accepted special effect. So you can't really rely on whatever "goofs" or "trivia" that people contribute to IMDb.

[–] 9 years ago

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