Directed by Brenda Chapman, Simon Wells and Steve Hickner, ‘The Prince of Egypt’ is a 1998 animated movie based on the life of Moses, right from his birth to his childhood to leading Hebrew slaves out of Egypt. It represents the biblical account of the tribe of Israel’s escape from the slavery. Produced and released by DreamWorks Animation, a number of Hollywood actors lent their voice to the movie. The leading roles were portrayed by Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock, Jeff Goldblum, Patrick Stewart and others. One of the best ways to depict the story of Passover, ‘The Prince of Egypt’ is a great movie to watch on this occasion. The movie is sure to be appreciated by kids and adults alike. Read on further to know the story, plot and summary of this movie.
The Prince Of Egypt Story
The movie begins with the Pharaoh’s men raiding a Jewish settlement in Egypt. Jochebed (also spelled as Yocheved) (Ofra Haza) keeps her son in a reed basket and sets it afloat on River Nile hoping that this would save his son from the misery. Meanwhile, the basket is noticed by the Queen of Egypt (Helen Mirren) who adopts the baby and names him Moses. Twenty years down the line, Moses (Val Kilmer) and his foster-brother, Rameses II (Ralph Fiennes), are shown racing their chariots through Egyptian temples thereby, destroying the idols of the Gods. Rameses feels offended when scolded by his father, Seti I, who believes that he would ruin the family dynasty, as Rameses is in line for the throne.
Later in the evening, a banquet is held where Rameses is named Prince Regent who joyfully names Moses as the Royal Chief Architect. The high priests Hotep (Steve Martin) and Huy (Martin Short) come forward and offer Tzipporah (Michelle Pfeiffer) to Rameses as a gift. However, Rameses rejects to accept and gives the girl to Moses. Later, she runs away with the help of Moses. He follows her and reaches a Jewish settlement where he meets his siblings, Miriam (Sandra Bullock) and Aaron (Jeff Goldblum) and comes to know about the truth. Though Moses denies at start but one nightmare and a discussion with his adoptive parents exposes the truth.
This leads to killing of an Egyptian guard while abusing an old slave by Moses. Eventually he runs away in exile and reaches Midian, where he saves Tzipporah’s sisters from bandits. Jethro (Danny Glover), Tzipporah’s father welcomes him with open arms and designates him the position of a shepherd. Gradually, Moses and Tzipporah get attracted towards each other resulting in their marriage. While chasing a stray lamb, Moses reaches a burning bush where he is instructed by God (Val Kilmer) to set free the slaves from Egypt. Moses and Tzipporah return back to the palace and surprisingly find that Rameses has been crowned the Pharaoh and is married with a young son.
Moses requests Rameses to let go all the slaves informing about the power of changing his shepherding staff into a snake. Hotep and Huy reiterate the transformation by bringing in many Gods of Egypt, but they are eaten by the snake created by Moses. Rameses hardens in demeanor and instructs to double up the work of the slaves. In the work field, Moses is confronted by an elder Hebrew worker and Aaron who blame Moses for the excess workload so put on them. At Rameses’ orders, the guards rush to bring back Moses, but to their dismay, the water turns into blood. The nine plagues of Egypt take place though Moses feels hurt and tortured not willing to leave Rameses and Egypt.
Moses meets Rameses and warns him about the tenth plague but he asks Moses never to return to Egypt. At Moses’ instructions, the Hebrews painted lamb’s blood on their doors for the coming Passover night. God comes down to Egypt and kills all the firstborn kids of Egypt, including Rameses’ son. Moses visits Rameses once again and this time, he agrees to free the Hebrews from his slavery. The next morning, the Hebrews are happy and set for the Red Sea. However, Rameses has yet again changed his mind and has asked his army to chase them. The Hebrews cross the Red Sea while a pillar of fire is build blocking the Egyptians from the Red Sea.
Hence, Moses is successful in getting liberation for the Israeli slaves from the Egyptians at the behest of God. Towards the end, Moses returns back and sadly murmurs “Good bye, Brother”. The final scene of the movie shows Moses descending from Mount Horeb with two stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments by God for the people to live by them. The movie closes with Jochebed’s voice echoing in the background.
