When Is ‘The Ten Commandments’ on TV This Easter 2018?
Except for 1999, ABC has rebroadcast Cecil B. DeMille’s Oscar-winning 1956 epic The Ten Commandments every year around Easter since 1973. And that long-running Easter tradition continues in 2018.
The Ten Commandments airs on ABC this Saturday, March 31, (the night before Easter), at 7pm ET. (If you are DVRing it, the machine may get a workout—the broadcast is scheduled in a 4 hour, 44-minute time slot!)
Over the years, ABC has varied between showing the film right on Easter night, and on the Saturday night before Easter—with the latter being the case for the last several years, including this year. Some viewers tend to prefer one night over the other, but others don’t seem to mind which night, as long as they can watch the film.
The network may be trying to satisfy as many demos as possible, airing the film during both the Passover and Easter holidays, though it seems more fitting for the former celebration, given that the truly massive film encompasses a pretty thorough retelling of events from the Old Testament Book of Exodus, and has nothing really to do with the New Testament recounting of Jesus’ death and resurrection that is commemorated at Easter.
In any case, The Ten Commandments remains a thoroughly enjoyable film, no matter what religion you do or do not practice (and even if today’s televisions, no matter how large or high-quality they may be, can’t do justice to the film’s original VistaVision presentation).
It’s easy to say “they don’t make ’em like that anymore” regarding such films, but in the case of The Ten Commandments, that is literally true—with its massive live crowd shots (of both people and animals) and spectacular set designs, the cost of making a film like this in the manner in which it was produced would certainly be viewed as prohibitive by any studio today.
From an era in which Biblical epics were fairly common in Hollywood, DeMille’s work is one of the few that remains so highly watched and beloved to this day.
Along with Charlton Heston’s iconic role as Moses (and as the voice of God via the Burning Bush), the film is also star-studded with the likes of Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter, an oddly cast Edward G. Robinson, Yvonne De Carlo, Debra Paget, John Derek, Vincent Price, John Carradine and more.
DeMille is at the height of his directorial powers here as he wrangles so much into a captivating, if melodramatic, presentation. Among the film’s other technical achievements (including its Oscar-winning special effects), it also boasts a grand musical score by Elmer Bernstein.
Almost as dramatic as the film itself was the manner in which ABC used to announce its showings of it, as evidenced in this 1984 intro (which also may have bummed out a few viewers by informing them that Hardcastle and McCormick would be pre-empted that evening):
It’s easy to see why, in a year like 1984, with home video not yet prevalent in homes, that people would eagerly tune in to a showing like this, and why it was hyped so dramatically. But today, when practically any film, including The Ten Commandments, can be readily available to anyone at anytime on DVD or other outlets, why do people still display a sometimes passionate desire to see ABC air this film every year at around the same time?
This seems to be a case where it’s not only the film itself, but the tradition of watching it on television, most likely with family, that combines to make it a special event for many viewers, perhaps made stronger set against the backdrop of various spring holidays.
Television times may have changed, but ABC’s annual Easter airing of The Ten Commandments can still give (particularly older) viewers some sense of that comfort and familiarity. Enjoy!
The Ten Commandments, Saturday, March 31, 2018, 7/6c, ABC
Charlton Heston
Yul Brynner
Edward G. Robinson
Anne Baxter
Yvonne De Carlo
Debra Paget
John Derek
Cedric Hardwicke
Nina Foch
Martha Scott
Judith Anderson
Vincent Price
John Carradine
Eduard Franz
Olive Deering
Donald Curtis
Douglas Dumbrille
Lawrence Dobkin
Frank DeKova
H.B. Warner
Henry Wilcoxon
Julia Faye
John Miljan
Woody Strode
⨁Full Cast & Crew
Conversation14 Comments
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P
Ten Commandments needs to air on Easter Sunday.
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C
I'm so disappointing and upset that ABC has broke tradition not to air the Ten Comments on Easter Sunday since 1973! I guess the people high up the food chain figured that American Idol was more important to air and break tradition BAD MOVIE ABC JUST SAD AND I'M SO DISAPPOINTED I LOOK FORWARD EVERY EASTER SUNDAY TO SET DOWN SUNDAY EVENING TO WATCH THIS!
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G
it hasnt aired on the sunday in a while. The last few years its been on the saturday before.
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G
My family is so disappointed that the ten commandments was not being aired on Easter Sunday. We look forward to this every year with enthusiasm.! We would like to know who the person is that made this horrible decision. My husband is so upset as I am too. What has happened? Why would you choose to show this incredible movie the day before Easter Sunday? We may never watch your channel again ever, it meant that much to us. After going to church and having our family over for our annual Easter celebration, all I can say is how disappointed our family is.
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G
it hasnt aired on the sunday in a while. The last few years its been on the saturday before. You are misremembering
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G
"The Ten Commandments" best of the best among all epics films. Charlton Heston, Anne Baxter, Yul Brynner stars in this magnificent film among other great stars. An all-star cast. Its a pleasure to have "The Ten Commandments broadcast every year thru ABC. Tradition we all wait.
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P
I cant believe they put it on at 7PM when Families are eating! BAD WAY TO DO THINGS ABC!
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G
As long as I remember ABC always show the movie at 7:pm. Remember is a long film and due to the interruptions for commercials this make it longer.
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C
This should play on Easter Sunday
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G
Marvelous and wonderful "The Ten Commandments". It is true it may be seem
thru dvd, Blue Ray or even VHS copies that still around during any time during the year. However is also true that we love to watch also this great film with the rest of the viewers through ABC thru the whole nation during Easter Time. It's a great sensation we all are connected to this movie, year after year. We tv audience enjoy this TRADITION every single year and always wait for "The Ten Commandments"
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R
Best worst movie ever made.
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G
STUPID Scheduling!! "The 10 Commandments" IS the story of Passover and the Exodus... so putting it on during the second night of Passover when Jews are attending the Second Seder means nobody who the story actually related to can watch it. I guess we're still strangers in a strange land.
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P
I'm glad ABC has continued the tradition. I'll be tuning in tonight!
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G
I love how they gave the epic treatment to "We'll Return After These Messages."
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