The Prince of Egypt

The Prince of Egypt is an animated musical drama film produced by DreamWorks Animation and released in 1998. It is based on the Biblical story of the Exodus, particularly focusing on the life of Moses, his upbringing in the Egyptian court, and his journey to lead the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt.

Plot Summary

The film opens with the Hebrew slaves in Egypt under the cruel rule of Pharaoh Seti I. His daughter, Bithiah, finds a Hebrew baby in a basket on the Nile and adopts him, naming him Moses. Raised as a prince alongside his adoptive brother Ramses, Moses grows up unaware of his Hebrew heritage. After discovering his true origins, Moses is torn between his life in the palace and his people's suffering. An incident leads him to flee Egypt, where he meets Zipporah and lives as a shepherd. God speaks to Moses through the burning bush, tasking him with freeing the Hebrews. Moses returns to Egypt, confronts Pharaoh, and with the help of God's plagues, leads the Hebrews to freedom, culminating in the parting of the Red Sea.

Production

• Development: The idea for the film came from Steven Spielberg, who was inspired by the story's potential for animation. Initially, the project was set up at Amblimation but was later moved to DreamWorks Animation due to strategic shifts.
• Directors: The film was directed by Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner, and Simon Wells. This was the first major feature film to be directed by a woman in American animation.
• Animation: The film employed a unique blend of traditional and digital animation techniques, which was innovative at the time. It was one of the first animated films to use digital ink and paint technology extensively.
• Music: The score was composed by Hans Zimmer, with songs by Stephen Schwartz. The soundtrack includes the hit song "When You Believe," which won an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Reception

• Critical Response: The film received generally positive reviews for its animation, music, and storytelling, although some criticized its deviations from the biblical text.
• Box Office: It was a commercial success, earning over $218 million worldwide against a $70 million budget.
• Awards: Apart from the Oscar for "When You Believe," the film was nominated for several other awards, including Best Original Musical or Comedy Score at the Golden Globes.

Legacy and Influence

The Prince of Egypt is often cited as one of DreamWorks Animation's best works. Its success paved the way for further animated features with deeper themes and narratives. The film has been praised for its handling of religious themes in a way that is accessible to both religious and secular audiences. It has also led to various adaptations including:

• A direct-to-video sequel, The Prince of Egypt II: The Journey Home, in 1999.
• A stage musical adaptation that premiered in 2017 in London's West End.

References

• IMDb - The Prince of Egypt
• Rotten Tomatoes - The Prince of Egypt
• Wikipedia - The Prince of Egypt
• DreamWorks - The Prince of Egypt

Related Topics

• Exodus
• Moses
• DreamWorks Animation
• Biblical Films