Film Screening: The Ten Commandments on 70mm at the IFI

Cecil B. DeMille’s Biblical epic The Ten Commandments (April 13th, 14.00) stars Charlton Heston as Moses, deliverer of the Hebrew people from slavery and God’s chosen recipient of His Decalogue. Featuring a cast of stars including Yul Brynner, Edward G. Robinson and Vincent Price, the film became not just the most expensive ever made to that point but also the biggest box office success. The incredible scale of this lavish production (which runs to a whopping 220mins) means it has lost none of its allure as a spectacle almost six decades after its release.

Since the installation of 70mm projectors in the IFI in 2001, a range of memorable 70mm films have been screened: Vertigo; Baraka; 2001: A Space Odyssey; Ryan’s Daughter; Die Hard; and The Thing, to name but a few. The format offers greatly increased colour and clarity, and sound quality that still rivals anything digital cinema has to offer.

The IFI is the only cinema in Ireland capable of showing film on 70mm and any film buff worth their pillar of salt should made sure to experience it at least once. That’s not quite a Commandment, but more of a strong recommendation.

Tickets are available now at €12 from the IFI Box Office, 01 679 3477 or online at www.ifi.ie.