Original subtitles

lt is a male.

Pharaoh has decreed death for all Hebrew newborn males.

l'll see to it.

lt's the best way.

Miriam.

At least they'll die quickly.

Moses.

Ptira, come and get your adopted son.

Teach him to stay on his feet.

Memefta.

My son.

Are you ready, Memefta?

-Moses? -Ready.

Begin.

Moses!

We greet Pharaoh as we greet the sun.

-Pharaoh is Egypt. -Egypt is Pharaoh.

We offer praise to you on the commemoration of the day...

that the great God Rah gave all Egypt the gift of our Pharaoh, Ramses.

l love birthdays.

Especially my own.

And how does my family mark this special occasion?

We all bring offerings to you, god on earth, the sun that lights our lives.

l offer praise to my father on this great day.

You have done well, my daughter.

And what does your son bring?

Moses, are you here?

l'm here, Your Majesty.

l had a game made for you, Great Egypt.

Speak up, Moses, l can't hear you.

A game.

This is very fine woodwork, Moses.

l didn't know that you were so good with your hands.

No, Great Egypt. l did not make the game myself.

lt was made by a Hebrew craftsman at my request...

-especially for you. -A Hebrew?

l have never been very skilled at games. Are you?

-No, Great Egypt. -Moses is too humble, Great Egypt.

-He defeats me in riddles quite often. -You let him win, Tuntmin...

-as you do with me. -Never.

-Are you good at riddles, my son? -l have one for you, Father.

When is an Egyptian not an Egyptian?

l don't know, my son. When?

l'm sorry. l've forgotten the answer, Father.

Then it's not a very good riddle, is it?

l'm sure there are those in the court who know the answer.

When you do know the answer...

-ask it again. -Yes, Father.

And now my gift for you.

A model of the great statue l'm building in honor of my father...

Great Egypt.

Ramses.

Prepare the chariots. l wish to see where my son has decreed...

that l shall stand through the centuries.

Put that back in the cart!

Here, have some water.

You, work harder!

Get up, they'll see you.

-Just rest here for a moment. -No.

lf they see me lying here, they will beat me.

-Just rest. -Lazy Hebrew, will it take a beating...

-to make you work? -No!

-You dare interfere, Hebrew? -No, leave him !

The Pharaoh himself arrives.

Get to your knees, Hebrew. The Great Ramses is within sight.

Down on your knees!

On your knees.

-Pharaoh is Egypt! -Pharaoh is Egypt!

-Egypt is Pharaoh! -Egypt is Pharaoh!

Back to work.

-Moses, you shouldn't come here. -You say that every time l come...

and every time l come, your eyes tell me what a terrible liar you are.

Please, Moses, they mustn't see me being idle.

They won't bother you.

Get up!

-How are you? -l am well, Moses.

-And you? -l want for nothing.

-Except.... -Except?

l have to go. Expect me tonight.

Goodbye, Moses.

Give him a hand over there. Come on, hurry!

You're not Hebrew, Moses.

You sucked at the breast of a Hebrew. Nothing else.

You are an Egyptian prince. Be proud.

Why? Because Egyptians are powerful?

No. Because it's what you are.

l'm not Egyptian, nor Hebrew. l'm nothing.

Don't speak this way, or you shall offend the gods.

Which gods?

The gods that you teach me to worship or the God that Jochabed loves?

Jochabed was your wet nurse, nothing more.

-She lies if she says she was more. -She tells me nothing more.

-But l know the truth. -The truth is that l am your mother.

-You are a royal prince of Egypt. -l'm nothing!

Pharaoh knows it, the court knows it, the nation knows it.

Only you pretend, Mother.

Move along.

Keep moving. l want to get home.

No!

You thought you would get away with it, didn't you?

-No, master, please, l meant no harm ! -You made me look like a fool.

No!

Moses.

You've killed him.

You've killed an Egyptian.

Aaron.

Keep digging, Hur.

lt's not deep enough. Come on, pick up the body.

Cover it with some mud.

-Quickly. -We have to go. We must cover him.

Leave him.

You saved my life. Why?

Why?

You're my brother, Aaron.

God be with you, Moses.

What do you want here?

-l want to see my mother. -Moses, no.

-You don't belong here. You're Egyptian. -Aaron.

-l'm here to see my mother. -Moses, no.

l'm here, my son.

Mother.

Forgive me, Moses.

lt was my only way to save you from the sword of Ramses.

l am Hebrew.

You are whatever you choose to be.

God has given you a choice He has given to no other man.

-But l've taken it away. -What do you mean?

Why are you wearing these rough clothes?

-l'm leaving Egypt. -Leaving?

Tonight.

Didn't Aaron tell you?

Aaron?

l have so many questions...

but now...

l must go.

God saved you, Moses. Serve him well.

Fill the trough. Drive the flock forward.

But, Zipporah, Father said not to look for trouble.

He doesn't have to spend half of every day waiting until the men are through.

They have struck us before. They'll do it again.

Fill the trough.

Come.

See how fortunate we are?

The priest's daughters have filled the trough for our flock.

You are mistaken. The water is for my father's flock.

Really? Jethro's sheep can wait.

Perhaps. But my sisters and l can't.

Drive the flock forward. Do as l say.

May l drink at your well?

Thank you.

lf you would drink, you'd better ask my permission.

Nobody makes a fool of me. You ignore me at your peril, stranger.

Now there's no point in strutting for the sisters.

-You're one and we are four. -What's your name, shepherd?

Midan. What's yours?

Moses, son of Ptira, daughter of Ramses.

-Ramses. -Look inside my cloak.

My cloak.

-Egyptian. -lt's Egyptian army.

l serve Ramses himself.

His army can probably be seen from the top of that ridge.

They'll need lambs to eat. Shall we take your sheep...

or those of the women?

Move the sheep. Quick.

What did you say to him that made him so afraid?

You're shaking, yet you're brave. Why?

-l was not brave. -You were brave. Why?

l was angry. Sometimes....

He knocked you down. That was wrong.

My father is Jethro. He's the priest of Midian.

He'll be grateful.

-l'll be on my way. -But my father--

No, it's best. Go well.

You're back soon.

Father! An Egyptian stopped Midan from taking our place at the trough.

An Egyptian? Or a gang of them?

-No, Father, just one. -But a very brave one.

ls that him? He deserves a show of gratitude.

l asked him to stay, Father, but--

Go fetch him, daughter!

My, what great pleasure it is for me to have another man at my table.

My life is surrounded by women.

A father needs a son amongst his family.

As you saw today at the well, we live in a time of rough men...

with little respect for women.

l'm a priest to the people of Midian...

which lies just beyond the ridge.

What gods do you worship, Moses?

ln Egypt, we have many gods.

-The Hebrew slaves have only one. -Yes.

You know of him? ls He above other gods?

l haven't heard much of his power for many years.

My Hebrew wet nurse...

she says that he will deliver them from slavery.

From the Egyptians?

That will be an act of great power.

You're a man of many fascinating thoughts and ideas, Moses.

But not many words.

lt would be worth our while to persuade you to stay for a time.

There's no better kitchen in the entire region.

Zipporah makes sure of that.

And no one weaves finer fabric than we do.

-Also under Zipporah's eye. -They exaggerate, Moses.

l'm sure it's all true, but l must be on my way.

East? Mostly barren land.

What towns do exist rarely welcome strangers.

Why not stay here...

until you have a better idea of where you're headed?

-Yes, please stay. -Please stay.

-You're very kind, but-- -Good, that's agreed.

A full day has passed since great Pharaoh has shown any sign of mortal spark.

Let Egypt rejoice.

My father has rejoined the gods of the other world.

Give thanks to great Pharaoh. The sun and moon live in him.

Arise.

Tuntmin, you may look upon me.

Egypt's people shall mourn for one full phase of the moon...

while the holy embalmers prepare my father...

for his journey to the other world.

As it is said, so shall it be done.

Then l shall take my place on the sun throne.

-As it is said, so shall it be done. -Good.

Let the mourning begin.

-You counted them? -l have.

-Every one? -Every one.

Dried lamb, bread, dates, and the water.

-ls that enough for you? -lt's two or three days.

l'll see them settled for summer grazing, then l'll return.

-Take care. -l will.

-Beware of the wolves. -l will.

Yes, you've lost your mum. You've lost your mama.

Strange. No lightning.

Come, let's go and see.

You burn, but the flames don't consume you.

Moses.

Here l am.

Remove your sandals...

for the place where you stand is holy ground.

Be at peace.

l am the God of your fathers...

Abraham, of lsaac, and of Jacob.

Why do you come to me?

l have heard the cry of my people, lsrael.

l will send you to the Pharaoh...

and you shall free my people from Egypt.

Why me?

A man clumsy with words.

Who am l to go before the Pharaoh?

l will be with you.

lf l go to the lsraelites and say that God has sent me...

they won't believe me. They'll ask, ''What is his name?''

l am who l am.

They won't listen. Why should they?

They'll seek signs.

That rod, cast it to the ground.

Grasp it by the tail.

Now put your hand under your cloak.

Now withdraw it.

No.

Now replace your hand...

and then withdraw it.

This will be the sign that you speak...

with the voice of the Lord their God.

Please.

Lord.

Not me.

l've never been a man of words. Not in times past, not now.

Even as you speak to me...

l'm still...

l'm still of speech!

Your brother, Aaron, will meet you...

and you will be my voice to him, and he will speak for you to the people.

Jethro!

Moses!

Maybe l was dreaming or mad from the sun.

-Or perhaps God spoke to you. -Why would God speak to me?

-Why not you? -Because l don't know God...

l know nothing of God!

-ln Egypt they have many gods. -Which god spoke to you?

The God of Abraham, lsaac, and Jacob.

-But you're Egyptian. -No. l'm Hebrew.

l had two mothers.

l came from the womb of Jochabed, a Hebrew slave.

But l was raised up by Ptira, daughter of Ramses himself.

Ramses?

Both mothers...

spoke to me of God, but....

l've yet to find my God, l can't find him.

God doesn't speak to anyone.

-He knows your heart. -Even a murderer?

Does he speak to murderers? Does he know the heart of a murderer?

What are you saying? Moses?

ln Egypt l killed a man.

lt's why l ran. lt's why l came here.

They killed so many of them.

Of us!

And l survive. And l kill!

l know nothing of this.

But l do know...

God speaks for a purpose...

-and you heard your God's voice. -Did l?

Are you mad?

No, you're not. You saw the bush. You heard the voice.

-God has spoken to you. -Has he?

Did he not give you a sign?

Did he not change your staff into a serpent...

-as you told us? -As l told you.

-lt was God. -Was it?

Was it God?

What could be more real than the call of God?

What if it is true? Can you live without testing the truth?

Did l see God, Zipporah?

Only you can answer that, Moses.

lf l go back to Egypt...

as the voice has commanded, they may kill me.

Not if God is with you.

Not if he is sending you to free your people.

l can't even talk in the presence of the Pharaoh.

lt is a true call. You must answer it.

They may kill your husband.

l will trust in God. Will you?

God be with you.

Aaron.

Aaron, my brother.

-How l've missed you. -l'm here.

What are you doing here in the middle of the desert?

-God called me to come to you. -God?

He spoke to me, too.

l know.

Moses has returned! Moses has come back!

-What are you doing? -l must let the people know you're here.

Why?

-You are sent by God to free his people. -But what if--

Moses.

Blessed is the day God chooses to free his people from bondage.

That day has come with your arrival. The people will want to know.

lt has begun.

Moses has arrived! Moses has returned!

Moses is God's messenger!

He has been chosen by God...

to lead his people out of bondage.

Behold the deliverer!

-Moses. -Miriam.

My brother.

Moses has come back as a messenger of God...

to free his people from the Egyptian bondage.

Come, we'll show you.

Gather round, all of you! Come gather!

Moses has returned as God's messenger. Gather around.

Witness the power of God...

through Moses.

-A few weeks ago, l was on Mount Sinai. -Speak up!

A few weeks ago, l was on Mount Sinai.

God...

the God of Abraham, lsaac, and Jacob...

came to me and asked me to return to Egypt to lead you...

his chosen people...

out of bondage into a land of milk and honey.

Moses the Egyptian.

l was raised in an Egyptian family, but l'm Hebrew by birth.

An Egyptian family.

You were raised by the daughter of the Pharaoh himself.

l believe God asked me to return to lead you out of slavery.

Do you?

And why do you believe this, Egyptian?

Here is a sign God gave me.

-A magic trick. -No. The hand of God.

And there is more.

These are the signs of God.

Moses has been called to lead us out of bondage.

-And why would God call an Egyptian? -Moses is my brother, and you know it.

He's the son of our departed mother Jochabed.

-But he was raised in the way of Egypt. -Do you question God's ways?

These are the signs of God!

Proof that he's heard us.

Proof that he has come back to us.

Have we followed the way of God through all this...

to desert him when he hears us?

Great Egypt, l beseech you, show mercy to this man.

My chief steward says l should show you mercy.

But he's too soft.

Your tax will be paid or your life is forfeited.

Next.

Come forward. Plead before Great Egypt.

You see, steward?

A steady hand and complaints disappear.

Now if there's no more business....

Who are you to enter my courtroom? l'll have your head.

l am Moses.

l knew a man by that name once, but he left under cover of night.

God has demanded my return.

So, adopted son of Egypt, from time to time...

we wondered where you were.

ln...

distant lands.

Very distant, l'm sure.

l expected your return for Ptira's entombment...

out of gratitude to your Egyptian mother.

l knew nothing of her passing.

And who is this?

l am Aaron, the Levite...

-brother of Moses, Great Egypt. -Great Egypt.

Exactly right. So how do you dare to come before me?

-l do as Moses instructs, sire. -As Moses instructs?

Why did you not tell me, steward, that there are those other than myself...

who command the acts of people in my kingdom?

l had no idea there was another authority, sire.

May l be forgiven?

How dare you show your face before me?

lt is not by choice, Pharaoh.

l come only because the Lord, God of Abraham, lsaac, and Jacob...

has asked me to speak his message.

Do you hear, steward? A wretch in shepherd's clothes...

speaks of a God great enough to decide to whom l...

god on earth...

-must give audience. -But our God...

the God of lsrael, has shown himself to us.

And these are His words.

He says:

''Let my people go...

''so they may celebrate a festival to me in the wilderness.''

l should have you both killed for daring to come before me...

but your blood is unworthy of me.

lf Hebrew you must be, so be it. Go, Moses, take your brother.

Live with the slaves, live there.

Then come back and speak to me of your God.

-Steward! -Sire?

We can't have slaves dreaming of journeys to the wilderness.

Egypt needs their sweat. lncrease their workload.

Have them gather their own straw for the bricks they make.

Then demand the same number of bricks be made each day.

Then we'll see if deceitful promises distract them.

Work harder!

Use your strength.

Who is their foreman?

You, Zerack! Kneel before the steward of Great Egypt.

You failed to meet the prescribed quota of bricks today and yesterday.

We try, master, but now we have to gather our own straw.

As hard as we work, the quota is never reached.

We only want to serve Great Pharaoh.

Then explain why you sent him Moses...

to beg that you be allowed three days in the wilderness.

l sent no one, master. l beg of you.

Ask Great Egypt to lift this burden.

You will produce your quota of bricks or you'll be beaten.

-Hold him. -Guards.

Beat him.

-l don't understand. -l knew they wouldn't listen to me.

Why should God cause greater suffering? More hardship?

Look upon this, prophet.

Moses plays us for fools.

There are no voices.

-Look at him, the false prophet. -Hold your tongue, Zerack.

lt was not you under lash, nor was it Moses.

The Pharaoh lets Moses sit and watch, while the rest of us work until we die!

-To make you jealous of him. -Hold that sharp tongue, woman.

l'm sorry, Zerack.

l believed God spoke to me.

God called you, Moses. Don't doubt.

lf you are not convinced, then how are we to believe it?

Your doubts won't stop Zerack from plotting against you.

You better do something, brother. Quickly.

Fill me with belief, Lord.

Fill my arms, fill my hands, fill my tongue.

Again, Moses, such insolence to look upon my face.

Why are you here? As part of my entertainment?

We come with the Word of God.

He bids you, let his people go.

Does he really?

That doesn't fit with my plan, Hebrew. Ask him to wait, will you?

Are you so sure that l'm a fool and a fake...

that you'd risk his wrath?

Risk?

Great Lord!

Now hear me...

for God fills my tongue.

The Lord, God of lsrael bids you...

let his people go.

No one bids Great Egypt...

god on earth...

anything.

Come here.

Behold, a prince of Egypt...

heir to the throne.

Hail, Prince of Egypt.

And now l must bathe in the Nile...

as a gift of thanks to Amun.

Stop!

Hear now!

The voice of the Lord, God of lsrael.

He bids you let His people go!

Blood.

There will be blood throughout the whole of Egypt for seven days.

The fish will die. The rivers will stink of death.

Through Moses, the Lord says:

''Know by this that l am the Lord.''

The Lord bids Pharaoh, ''Let my people go.''

Or...

he will fall upon you with pestilence and the sword.

No work today. Rest. Be at peace with your families!

No work today for any of us.

The Nile is undrinkable.

Every single Egyptian across the entire land...

is scratching at the earth for water.

You were right. And surely now, Pharaoh will let us go.

ls it to be that simple?

lsn't it?

God warns us the Pharaoh's heart is hard.

This will not be won easily.

-Great Egypt, your priests have an answer. -Show me.

Great Lord.

You see? The Hebrew's trick is easily performed.

And our agents in your upper kingdom report that the waters of great Nile...

are now clean and sweet as they flow downriver towards us.

Before seven days have passed, this plague will be only memory.

Good. Put the Hebrews back to work.

They must make up for the work lost by these games of Moses.

l suppose you and your God take credit for this.

lf you do not believe this, then why did you call us before you?

Lift this plague. l'm tired of these games your God plays.

-Will you let the Lord's people go? -Yes. But lift this plague.

-Great Lord-- -Silence! l want peace.

Get these frogs away.

Take your people to the wilderness for your sacrifice.

l have spoken.

Here you are, go on.

This is our day of freedom !

Praise be to God, Zerack.

We are leaving.

Ready? Let's go.

Truly, Moses, you are a prophet of God!

l never thought to see the day we would be gone from Egypt.

-You will. -Will?

Out of my way.

Did you think Pharaoh would be compelled by a silly trick?

To your labors.

-You said Pharaoh released us. -Line up for work.

-Today is no different from any other day. -You lied, Moses!

Line up for work!

-You lied, Moses. -This is your vanity.

The Lord must try lsrael...

even as he afflicts Egypt.

The people are righteous! Listen to the people!

-l believed you, Moses! -Vanity!

All your tricks will not convince me to release Egypt's work force.

lt is God's will...

that you let his people go.

And who will do the work?

Your God?

Your people cannot survive in freedom, you know that.

You understand the system.

l cannot expect your brother here to understand, but you do.

Slaves are slaves, Moses.

They're happiest being slaves.

Thus says the Lord, ''Let my people go so that they may worship me.

''For by now l could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people...

''but l have let you live to show my power...

''and to make my name resound through all the earth.''

My name resounds through all the earth...

and l have let you live.

Let me put you in charge of the Jews.

You can look after them. You can care for them.

But they must stay. They can worship who they like.

l've never interfered with their God.

Send everything you have in open field...

to a secure place.

Every human and every animal will die...

when the hail comes.

Hail? We are in a desert! Open the doors!

You are a madman, Moses, do not come before me again.

Do you hear me? Never again!

lf your powers are less than a slave god's...

what good is your service or your lives?

Great Egypt, what can be lost by allowing them to worship in the wilderness?

Because once there, they'll never return.

They'll move on!

A hoard of people on our eastern flank, a threat to Egypt!

But what greater threat can Egypt face than these plagues?

They're great magic, my lord.

The omens tell us that while we keep the Hebrews, we will have no peace.

Enough!

Egypt is ruined. The barley is in the ear, the flax in bud...

-the locusts will eat it all. -The hand of the Lord.

Blessed be his name. He is still upon us.

Now will the Pharaoh's heart soften?

lf God sees us ready for freedom. lf not, he will harden the Pharaoh's heart...

and we will remain slaves. We will leave this place...

when Egypt finally understands the power of the Lord.

You pray to him that you'll be ready for that day when it comes.

Fear not! God will not let them harm the children of lsrael.

You may go.

And all your people with you.

Egypt has decided it no longer...

desires you in our midst.

When the Lord lifts the disease from your body, will your heart harden again?

l want you gone. All of you.

Only your flocks and your herds will remain.

The Lord bids all our possessions go with us.

How else will we have what we need to make sacrifice to Him to show our thanks?

lt is to me you owe your gratitude.

You go. Your flocks remain.

All of us.

Stop.

Our young, our old, our flocks, our herds.

Or you'll face a plague worse than anything the Lord has thus far shown you.

Not one more word...

of this foolish God you boast of.

lf your flocks are so dear to you, stay with them here in Egypt.

Think carefully on this.

How dare you instruct me!

Get out of my sight!

Be gone and take care never to look upon my face again!

For if ever l see your face one more time...

l will kill you!

How long, Lord? How long?

And with this last plague, the Lord will break the Pharaoh's conceit...

and teach us the terrible price of freedom.

Mark well, now what l say to you.

On the 10th day of this month, each family will take a yearling lamb without blemish.

You will watch over this lamb until the 14th day of the month...

at which time, the entire assemblage of lsrael will gather.

And at twilight on that day, you will slaughter the lamb.

Take some of the lamb's blood and put it on the doorposts of your houses.

The lamb's blood will be a sign.

When the Lord sees the blood, he will pass over you...

and you will not be harmed when he strikes the land of Egypt.

You will eat of the lamb the same night.

lt must not be raw or cooked with water, only roasted.

And you shall eat it with your clothes on your back and a staff in your hand.

You'll not take time to leaven your bread.

This will be known as the feast of unleavened bread.

And you will eat this Passover offering hurriedly...

for at midnight, the Lord shall go forth among the Egyptians...

and the Lord will punish the gods of Egypt.

But the blood on the houses where you are will be a sign.

For when He sees the blood, He will pass over you.

Look what you have done to my son.

Your God is evil.

Evil.

Go away from my people.

Take your flocks, take your herds...

and be gone.

l have let you go.

Bring a blessing on me.

Please.

Remember this night...

on which you came out of Egypt.

Out of the house of slavery.

Because the Lord brought you out...

with the strength of his hand.

Go forth, oh, lsrael.

-The people wonder, Moses. -About what?

Why we take this route. This leads to the Red Sea.

South lies a clear path to the East, to the land of Canaan.

We take the route the Lord ordains.

What have l done...

letting lsrael leave our service?

-lt was a wise decision, Great Egypt. -Where are they now?

Approaching the sea, but l caution.

They must pay for this.

Prepare a company of our army.

ls this a game, Moses?

Did you bring us out of Egypt so that we could swim to the Promised Land?

l've done as the Lord instructed. You must do likewise.

They're coming, the Egyptians! With Pharaoh at their head.

An army of soldiers and chariots. Save us.

-How far back? How far behind are they? -Half a day.

Half a day?

He'll find a way.

Was it that there were no graves in Egypt...

that you've brought us here to die in the wilderness?

lt would've been better to have served the Egyptians than to die in the desert.

The Lord has shown us the way.

lf we follow it, he will deliver us.