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The Prince of Egypt

From Wikiquote

The Prince of Egypt is a 1998 American animated musical drama film based on the book of Exodus about Moses, an Egyptian prince who learns of his identity as an Israelite, and later his destiny to become the chosen deliverer of his people. The film has a direct-to-video prequel Joseph: King of Dreams released in 2000.

Directed by Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner and Simon Wells. Written by Philip LaZebnik. Songs by Stephen Schwartz.
Two brothers united by friendship, divided by destiny. Taglines

Moses

[edit]
  • [to Rameses] Goodbye, brother.
  • [to Buka] Stop it. Stop! Stop it! LEAVE THE MAN ALONE!!!

Rameses

[edit]
  • Faster, you beasts! You run like mules!
  • Well, uh, impressive. Hmm. Very well, Moses. I'll play along. [chuckling] Hotep. Huy. Give this snake charmer our answer.
  • [after the death of his son] You...and your people...have my permission...to go. [Moses tries to comfort him; jerks off] LEAVE ME!
  • [last lines] Moses! MOSES!

God

[edit]
  • With this staff, you shall do, My wonders!

Tzipporah

[edit]
  • Look. Look at your people, Moses. They are free.

Miriam

[edit]
  • Moses, hear what I say. I've been a slave all my life. And God has never answered my prayers until now. God saved you from the river, He saved you in all your wanderings, and even now, He saves you from the wrath of Pharaoh. God will not abandon you. So don't you abandon us.

Aaron

[edit]
  • Miriam, do you want us flogged?

Others

[edit]
  • Yocheved: [singing] River, O, River / Flow gently for me / Such precious cargo you bear / Do you know somewhere he can be free? / River, deliver him there.
  • Hotep and Huy: [repeated line] By the power of Ra!
  • Overseers: [chanting] Mud...sand...water...straw. Faster! Mud...and lift...sand...and pull...water...and raise up! Straw...faster!
  • Hebrews: [singing]
With the sting of the whip on my shoulder,
With the salt of my sweat on my brow...
Elohim, God on high, can You hear Your people cry?
Help us now, this dark hour...
Deliver us, hear our call, deliver us, Lord of all!
Remember us, here in the burning sand!
Deliver us, there's a land You promised us!
Deliver us out of bondage and,
Deliver us to the promised land!

Dialogue

[edit]
[We open on a yellow sky, swirling with clouds, then cut to thousands of Jewish slaves toiling in the mud and sand as overseers beat them with whips.]
Men: [singing] Mud! Sand! Water! Straw! Faster! Mud and lift! Sand and pull! Water, and raise up! Straw!
Guard: Faster!
Men: [continues singing] With the sting of the whip, on my shoulder!
[he whip cracks the man]
Men: [singing] With the salt of my sweat on my brow!
Elohim, God on high, can you hear your people cry?
Help us now!
This dark hour! Deliver us!
Hear our call, deliver us!
Lord of all, remember us here in this burning sand!
Deliver us, there's a land you promised us!
Deliver us to the promised land!
[the guards run]
Yocheved: [singing] Yal-di ha-tov veh ha-rach, al ti-ra veh al tif-cha-d.
My son, I have nothing I can give.
But this chance that you may live.
I pray we'll meet again. If he will deliver us.
Men: [singing] Deliver us, hear our prayer!
Deliver us from despair
These years of slavery grow too cruel to stand!
Deliver us, there's a land you promised us!
Deliver us out of bondage and
Deliver us to the promised land!
[they all walk to a river, then Young Miriam puts the basket down, then opening a top]
Yocheved: [singing] Hush now, my baby, be still, love, don't cry.
Sleep as you're rocked by the stream.
Sleep and remember my last lullaby.
So I'll be with you when you dream. [kisses the baby, then closing the top, then she continues singing]
River, oh, river, flow gently for me.
Such precious cargo, you bear.
Do you know somewhere he can live free?
River, deliver him there.
Young Miriam: [singing] Brother, you're safe now and safe may you stay
For I have a prayer just for you.
Grow, baby brother, come back someday.
Come and deliver us, too.
[Queen Taya pets the baby]
Rameses: Mommy!
Queen Taya: Come, Rameses. We will show Pharaoh your new baby brother, Moses.
Men: [singing] Deliver us send a shepherd to shepherd us
And deliver us to the promised land!
Deliver us to the promised land!
Yocheved: [singing] Deliver us!
[The screen cuts into they both go chariot racing by opening a door]
Young Moses: Ha, ha!
Young Rameses: Faster, you beasts! You run like mules.
[they both continue racing]
Young Moses: Hey, Rameses, how'd you like to have your face carved on a wall?
Young Rameses: Someday, yes!
Young Moses: How about now?! [pushes Rameses' chariot into a wall]
Young Rameses: You almost killed me!
Young Moses: Oh, come on! Where's your sense of fun?
Young Rameses: Oh, it's fun you want!
[He accelerates and goes careening off a dune.]
Young Rameses: Moses?
[Moses jumps over him, whooping and laughing. Rameses gives chase, as they approach the city. They demolish a boardgame being played by two peasants. Rameses rides over an upper level of the city.]
Young Rameses: Come on, Moses, admit it. You've always looked up to me.
Young Moses: Yes, but it's not much of a view! [laughing] Hyah! Whoo! [the piece lands on the horses, then pulling back]
Man: Hey!
Young Rameses: Second born, second place!
Young Moses: Not for long!
[they both continue racing, then racing up the stairs, then the wood floor begins falling down, then turning left, then breaking the wood, then the pait falls down, then the ladder falls down, then drawing a mouth at the bottom of the nose, then the wood breaks the nose by falling into the wood, then they run like a helter skelter, then the nose falls closer to Moses]
Young Moses: Jump! [he jumps away from the wooden floor, breaking it completely, then they run on top, then they laughing, then they slide down by the men with Hotep and Huy, knocking everybody over, then they slide down by sand like a wave of water, then they jump off]
Young Rameses: You don't think we'll get in trouble for this, do you?
Young Moses: No, not a chance.
[Cut to Pharaoh Seti scolding Rameses and Moses]
Seti: Why do the gods torment me with such reckless, destructive, blasphemous sons?
Young Rameses: Father, hear what I say-
Seti: Be still, Pharaoh speaks! I seek to build an empire, and your only thought is to amuse yourselves by tearing it down. Have I taught you nothing?
Hotep: You mustn't be so hard on yourself, Your Majesty. You're an excellent teacher.
Huy: It's not your fault your sons learned "nothing".
Hotep: Well, they learned blasphemy.
Huy: True. [They both leaves]
Young Moses: Father, the fault is mine. I goaded Rameses on, and so I am responsible.
Seti: Humph. "Responsible". [to Rameses] And do you understand the meaning of that word, Rameses?
Young Rameses: I understand, Father.
Seti: And do you understand the task for which your birth has destined you? The ancient traditions: when I pass into the next world, then you will be the Morning and Evening Star.
Young Rameses: One damaged temple does not destroy centuries of tradition.
Seti: [points at Rameses] But one weak link can break the chain of a mighty dynasty! [the Queen relieves him. He then sighs in exasperation] You have my leave to go.
Young Rameses: Father... [The Queen stops him and he leaves, frustrated]
Young Moses: Father, you know it was really my fault. Must you be so hard on him?
Seti: Moses, you will never have to carry a burden like the crown I will pass to Rameses. He must not allow himself to be lead astray; not even by you, my son.
Young Moses: All he cares about is...is your approval. I know he will live up to your expectations. He only needs the opportunity.
Seti: [considering] Maybe, maybe so. Go now, I shall see you both tonight.
Young Moses: Well, that went well.
Young Rameses: Just go away.
Young Moses: Could've been worse.
Young Rameses: The weak link in the chain. That's what he called me.
Young Moses: Well, you are rather pathetic.
Young Rameses: Irresponsible, ignorant of the traditions. He practically accused me of bringing down the dynasty!
Young Moses: Yeah, I can see it now. There go the pyramids! [laughs]
Young Rameses: [leaps down] You can laugh about it.
Young Moses: Statues cracking and toppling over, the Nile drying up; single-handedly, you will manage to bring the greatest kingdom on Earth to ruin.
Young Rameses: Tell me this, Moses, tell me this: why is it that every time you start something, I'm the one who ends up in trouble?
[Moses drops a sack full of wine onto Hotep and Huy]
Hotep: Oh! Man! [spits out punch]
Huy: Oh!
Hotep: Ah! Rameses, you're in trouble, young man!
Huy: Rameses, get down here! I think you owe us an apology!
Hotep: Oh, my new thing!
Huy: I am so upset!
Young Moses: [hands Rameses a bowl of wine] You might as well.
Hotep: You'll pay for this!
Huy: We're going to tell the Pharaoh!
[Rameses dumps all the wine on Hotep and Huy]
Hotep: Oh, look at me! I'm drenched again!
Young Moses: Hey, I figured it out. You know what your problem is, Rameses?
Young Rameses: What?
Young Moses: You care too much.
Young Rameses: And your problem is that you don't care at all.
Young Moses: Well, in that case, I supposed that you care a lot more than I do that we're...late for the banquet, for example.
[Rameses's face suddenly lights up in alarm as we cut to Rameses and Moses rushing to the banquet]
Young Rameses: I'm done for! Father will kill me!
Young Moses: Don't worry, nobody will even notice us comin' in. [They enter, but the entire crowd sees them and cheers loudly]
Young Rameses: "Nobody will even notice?"
[Moses laughs nervously]
Tuya: [approaches them] Ah, the young princes! [hugs her sons, then sides to her real son] Rameses, you were just named Prince Regent. You are now responsible for overseeing all the temples. I suggest you get over there and thank your father. [Rameses walks off] Apparently, Moses...someone thought he "just needed the opportunity".
Young Moses: [approaches Rameses and Seti] My lord, Pharaoh! I propose that the high priests offer tribute to their new Regent!
Seti: An excellent idea! Hotep! Huy!
[The priests drop the goblets]
Hotep: [Whispers] Huy?
Huy: What?
Hotep: The Midian girl...
Huy: [chuckles] Oh! Good idea!
Hotep: Go get her. [Huy runs off. He addresses the guests and performs a magic spell] By the power of Ra! We present for your delectation and delight, an exotic apparition stolen from faraway lands. [a large box-like construction rises from the floor, revealing an attractive young woman named Tzipporah, riding a camel. Huy restrains her by her hands with a rope. Moses and Rameses are enthralled] We offer you this...delicate desert flower.
[Hotep yanks the rope, and Tzipporah is dragged off her camel, screaming. The crowd shouted in wild excitement. She fights against her restraints]
Young Rameses: Let us inspect this "desert flower"... [Tzipporah tries to bites, his hand missed] Ehhg! More like a desert cobra.
Young Moses: Not much of a snake-charmer, are you?
Young Rameses: [pushes Moses to her] That's why I give her to you.
Young Moses: [tries to back away from Tzipporah] No, no, no. That's generous, but-
Tzipporah: [to Moses] I won't be given to anyone, especially an arrogant, pampered palace brat!
Young Rameses: [chuckles] Are you gonna let her talk to you like that? [Tzipporah groans trying to the ropes off her wrists while Moses gets Rameses off of him]
Young Moses: [points at Tzipporah] You will show the proper respect for a prince of Egypt.
Tzipporah: But I am showing you all the respect you deserve. [pulls rope away from Hotep and Huy] None!
Young Moses: No, wait! Be still! [grabs the rope]
Tzipporah: I demand you set me free!
Young Moses: Be still!
Tzipporah: Let go!
Young Moses: [noticed the pond] As you wish. [let it go of the rope, causing Tzipporah to scream her clothes slipping off her naked and fall backwards into the pond to see her butt]
[The crowd laughs. Moses joins in, but sees the queen looking on in disgust, and stops]
Young Rameses: [approaches, laughing; to the servants who lead Tzipporah out of the pond] You there! Have her dried off, and sent to Prince Moses's chambers. [to Seti] If it pleases you, Father, my first act of Regent is to appoint Moses [places the blue ring on Moses' finger] as Royal Chief Architect!
[The crowd cheers. Moses smiles, then stares back at Tzipporah, who looks back at him in disgust, as she is led away]
[As Moses enters his chambers, he sees a silhouetted figure in his bed, and approaches]
Young Moses: [to himself] Well...alright...
[He pulls the curtain back, and sees the servant bound and gagged, and muffled. His two dogs tied to a pillar. Moses runs to the window, and sees several bedsheets tied to the pillar like a ladder. He sees Tzipporah leading her camel through the courtyard. The camel grunts]
Tzipporah: [whispers] Shh, come on.
[Moses climbs down the tied bedsheets, then sees two guards]
Young Moses: Guards!
Guards: [approach him] Prince Moses.
Young Moses: [stares at Tzipporah, then he addresses the guards] There's...a man...tied up in my room. Well, look into it!
Guards: Right away, sir! [run off]
[Moses chuckles Then he runs out of the palace, following Tzipporah into the Jewish village. He spies her at a well, talking with a now grown-up Aaron and Miriam]
Tzipporah: [whispers to Miriam] Please, I need water. I have a long journey ahead of me.
Miriam: [giving her water] May God protect you.
Tzipporah: Thank you. [climbs onto her camel] Hut-hut! [rides off]
[Moses sees Tzipporah riding out of Egypt, and is smitten. Then he hears the vase shattering, and looks down to Miriam]
Miriam: [looking up to Moses] Oh, I am so sorry… I… please forgive me… I… I didn't expect to see you… [recognizing Moses] here! Of all places at our door. Hmm. At last!
Young Moses: [confused] At last?
Miriam: [hugging Aaron] Didn't I tell you, Aaron? Didn't I tell you? He would return to us when he was ready.
Aaron: [whispers] Miriam, do you want us flogged?
Miriam: [to Moses] I knew you cared about our freedom!
Aaron: [whispers] Miriam...
Young Moses: Freedom? [chuckles] Why would I care about that?
Miriam: Because you… you're our brother.
Young Moses: [scoffs] What?
Miriam: [her face fell] They… [Long pauses; sighs] they never told you?
Young Moses: Who never told me what?
Miriam: B-But you're here! You must know. [reaches to touch his hand]
Young Moses: [pulling away] Be careful, slave!
Aaron: [pulls Miriam back nervously] Oh, my good prince… um, she… she's exhausted from the day's work. Not that it was too much! We… We quite enjoyed it, but-but ah, she's confused, and knows not to whom she speaks.
Miriam: [breaks his grip] I know "to whom I speak", Aaron! I know who you are, and you are not a prince of Egypt!
Aaron: Miriam-!
Young Moses: What did you say?!
Aaron: Your Highness, pay her no heed! C-C-Come, Miriam. May I discuss something with you?
Miriam: [fighting him] No, Aaron. No! Please, Moses, you must believe!
Aaron: That's enough.
Miriam: You were born of my mother, Yocheved!
Aaron: Stop it!
Miriam: [breaks free of Aaron] You are our brother!
Young Moses: Now you go too far. You should be punished!
Aaron: [throws himself on ground between them] NO! Please… uh, Your Highness… she's ill! She's very ill; we beg your forgiveness. Please, Miriam; l-let's go! [starts dragging her away]
Miriam: No, Aaron! Our mother set you adrift in a basket to save your life!
Aaron: Miriam!
Young Moses: Save my life?! From who?!
Miriam: [still struggling] Ask the man that you call father!
Young Moses: [angrily] How dare you…?! [Aaron gives up and stands beside a wall, looking away]
Miriam: God saved you to be our deliverer!
Young Moses: Enough of this!
Miriam: And you are, Moses. You are the deliverer.
Young Moses: [yelling at her] I SAID ENOUGH! [grabs her arm, throws her to ground] You will regret this night. [stomps off]
Miriam: [weeps; singing] Hush now, my baby. Be still now. Don't cry. Sleep as you're rocked by the stream. [Moses stops walking, recognizing the familiar lullaby] Sleep and remember my last lullaby. So I'll be with you when you dream.
[Moses, disturbed by the lullaby only he knows, runs away in confusion]
Seti: The Hebrews grew too numerous. They might have risen against us.
Young Moses: [on the brink of tears] Father, tell me you didn't do this.
Seti: Moses, sometimes, for the greater good, sacrifices must be made.
Young Moses: Sacrifices?
Seti: [taking Moses tenderly into his arms] Oh, my son… they were only slaves.
[Moses, greatly disturbed, pulls away, shakes his head in anger and disgust at Seti, and runs off into the darkness]
Queen Taya: Moses?
Young Moses: Is this where you found me?
Queen Taya: Moses, please try to understand.
Young Moses: So… So everything I thought, everything I am, is a lie.
Queen Taya: No. You are our son, and we love you.
Young Moses: Why did you choose me?
Queen Taya: We didn't, Moses. The gods did. [walks down the stairs, then sitting down, then singing] This is your home, my son.
Here the river brought you
And it's here the river meant
To be your home.
Now you know the truth, love.
Now forget and be content.
When the gods send you a blessing,
You don't ask why it was sent.
[they both hug]
Young Rameses: [puts scrolls down] Last night, the gods granted me a vision. I'm not merely going to restore this temple, I will make it more grand, more splendid than any other one in Egypt.
[the slave whip cracks the man's butt, then walking up, then the men continue pulling, then bringing a bag, then the men continue pulling, then knocking the man]
Man: Get up! [whip cracks the bag]
[he walks away by knocking the man]
Young Rameses: Moses! Look. Fate has turned our little misadventure into a great opportunity.
[they both walk]
Guard: Get up, old man!
Aaron: Father will be so pleased...
Guard: Put your back into it! Faster!
[Aaron continues chopping]
Young Rameses: This is just the beginning. A gateway will open to an entire new city of white limestone, more dazzling than the sun. And here, a statue of Hapi.
Guard: [whip cracks the man] I said, hurry!
Young Rameses: ...two great column halls.
Miriam: Stop it! Somebody's got to stop this!
Aaron: There's nothing we can do.
[the guard whip cracks the man, then running by looking at a man with a whip crack hitting him]
Young Moses: [quietly] Stop it. [louder] Stop. STOP IT! LEAVE THAT MAN ALONE!
Young Rameses: Moses!
[Moses attacks the guard by falling down, breaking the wood]
Kahma: Out of my way. Out of my way. Move! Who did this?
Man: Up there! It's him. Up there.
[he pants, then looking at the men, gasping, then running away]
Miriam: Moses!
[he continues running away, then rolling down, then Rameses grabs Moses]
Young Rameses: Moses, what's going on? Moses!
[he continues running away]
Young Rameses: Moses! Moses!
Young Moses: Let me go!
Young Rameses: No, wait.
Young Moses: You saw what happened. I just killed a man!
Young Rameses: We can take care of that! I... I will make it so it never happened!
Young Moses: Nothing you can say can change what I've done.
Young Rameses: I am Egypt! The morning and the evening star! If I say day is night, it will be written! And you will be what I say you are! I say you are innocent!
Young Moses: What you say does not matter. You don't understand. I can't stay here any longer...!
Young Rameses: Moses!
Young Moses: No! All I've ever known to be true is a lie! I'm not who you think I am.
Young Rameses: What are you talking about?
Young Moses: Go ask the man I once called "Father." [walks away]
Young Rameses: Moses? Please...
Young Moses: [with sad finality] Goodbye, brother. [walks away]
Young Rameses: Moses! Moses!
Young Moses: Hey, wait. Please. [drags him on the ground, then he continues dragging on the ground, by sheep, then hitting by a well, then putting the face in the water, all wet, then the sheep spits water out, later a girl just shriek off-screen.]
Girl: What are you doing? Help! Let our sheep drink! Leave us alone! Get away! Stop it! My father's the high priest of Midian. You're going to be in big trouble.
Young Moses: Hey, you. Aren't these your camels? Hut-hut!
Man: No, no! No, no! [they both run to get the camels] Wait! Wait, stop!
[he lays on the ground, then falling in the well, then they all get Young Moses back up]
Tzipporah: What are you girls doing?
Boy: We're trying to get the funny man out of the well.
Tzipporah: Trying to get the funny man out of the well. Well, that's one I've never heard before. [gasping] Oh, my. Oh, uh, don't worry down there! Uh, we'll get you out. Hold on!
[they all pull Young Moses back up]
Tzipporah: You.
Young Moses: Huh?
Tzipporah: [lets go of the well, falling in as retribution for what happened] Mm-hmm. [walks away]
Girl: That's why papa says she'll never get married.
[they all wash Young Moses]
Young Moses: You don't have to do this. Ladies, please, I'm really... I'm really quite... No, not there, please. [laughing] That tickles. Ladies, you've cleaned every inch of me. Whoa, I... I was wrong.
[the kids laugh]
Jethro: Let me through. Let me through. I want to see him. Ah! You are most welcome. [hugs Young Moses] You should not be a stranger in this land. You have been sent as a blessing. And, tonight, you shall be my honored guest. [walks away, laughing]
Tzipporah: My father, Jethro, high priest of Midian.
[he walks outside of the tent, then looking at a fire]
Jethrodiadah: [to Moses] Psst! Sit with me!
Moses: Alright. [sits down with Tzipporah's sisters and picks up the fruit and is about to eats it]
Ajolidoforah: [to Moses] Psst! Not yet!
Moses: Oh, sorry. [puts the the fruit back into the bowl]
Jethro: My children! Let us give thanks for this bountiful food, and let us also give thanks for the presence of this brave young man whom we honor here tonight.
Moses: Please, sir, I wish you wouldn't. I've done nothing in my life worth honoring. [Tzipporah is surprised by these words. So is Jethro]
Jethro: First you rescue Tzipporah from Egypt, [pinches Tzipporah's cheek playfully] then you defend my younger daughters from brigands. [walks over and hugs Tzipporah's sisters] You think that is nothing? It seems you do not know what is worthy of honor. [singing] A single thread in a tapestry though its color brightly shine
Can never see its purpose in a pattern of the grand design.
And the stone that that sits on the very top of the mountain's mighty face
Does it think it's more important than the stones that form the base?
So, how can you see what your life is worth or where your value lies?
You can never see through the eyes of man.
You must look at your life, look at your life through heaven's eyes.
Crowd: [singing] La-la-la-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la. La, la-la-la-la-la-la. La-la-la-la-la-la. Lai-lai-lai, lai-lai-lai-lai, lai-lai-lai, lai-lai-la.
Jethrodiadah: Dance with me.
Young Moses: No, I don't know how.
[grabs the children, then clapping to the dancing beat, then they all pull up a tent]
Jethro: [singing] A lake of gold in the desert sand is less than a cool, fresh spring
And to one lost sheep, a shepherd boy is greater than the richest king
If a man loses everything he knows, has he truly lost his worth,
Or is it the beginning of a new and brighter birth?
So how do you measure the worth of a man in wealth or strength or size?
In how much he gained or how much he gave?
The answer will come, the answer will come to him who tries.
To look at his life through heaven's eyes!
And that's why we share all we have with you, though there's little to be found.
When all you've got is nothing, there's a lot to go around.
No life can escape being blown out by the winds of change and chance.
And though you never know all the steps
Tzipporah: Dance with me.
Moses: No, I... No. No!
Jethro: [singing] You must learn to join the dance. You must learn to join the dance!
Crowd: [singing] La-la-la, lee-lai-lai-lai. Lai-lai-lai-lai, lai-lai-lai-lai. Lai-lai-lai-lai, lee-lai-lai, lai-lai-lai-lai, lai-lai-lai. Lai-lai-lai-lai, lee-lai-lai, lai-lai-lai-lai, lai-lai-lai. Lai-lai-lai-lai, lee-lai-lai, lai-lai-lai-lai-lai-lai-lai! Lai-lai-lai-lai, lee-lai-lai, lai-lai-lai-lai, lai-lai-lai! Lai-lai-lai-lai, lee-lai-lai, lai-lai-lai-lai-lai! So how do you judge what a man is worth by what he builds or buys,
You can never see with your eyes on earth!
Look through heaven's eyes!
Look at your life! Look at your life!
Look at your life through heaven's eyes!
Moses: [touches Tzipporah, then kissing Tzipporah] I love you. [gets up, then walks away, then opens a curtain, looking at the sky by the sheep, then inhaling, then walking by the sheep, then petting the sheep, then the sheep runs away, then sighing, then walking up] It's too early for this. [he walks inside a cave by God, then looking at it, then getting down by God, then touching the fire, holding a stick, then the head touches a fire]
God: [whispering] Moses...
Moses: Here I am.
God: Take the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you stand is holy ground.
Moses: Who are you?
God: I Am that I Am.
Moses: I don't understand.
God: I am the God of your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Miriam: [from Moses' memory] You are born of my mother Yocheved! You are our brother!
Moses: [quickly removes his sandals and throws them behind him] What do You want with me?
God: I have seen the oppression of my people in Egypt, and have heard their cry. [sounds of screaming and whipping of an old man from Moses' memory]
Young Moses: [from Moses' memory] Stop it! Leave that man alone!
God: So I have come to deliver them out of slavery and bring them into a good land. A land flowing with milk and honey. And so, unto Pharaoh, I shall send...you.
Moses: Me? Who am I to lead these people? They'll never believe me, they won't even listen.
God: I shall teach you what to say. [Moses' words "Let my people go!" is heard in his vision]
Moses: But I was their enemy. I was the prince of Egypt, the son of the man who slaughtered...their children! You've...you've chosen the wrong messenger. H-H-How can I even speak to these people?
[The bush flame brightens and the blue flames spread out, God yells loudly]
God: WHO MADE MAN'S MOUTH?! WHO MADE THE DEAF, THE MUTE, THE SEEING, OR THE BLIND? DID NOT I?! NOW GO!
[Moses falls to the ground, cowering; God gently lifts Moses off the ground]
God: Oh, Moses. I will be with you when you go to the king of Egypt. But Pharaoh will not listen. So I will stretch out My hand and smite Egypt with all My wonders! Take the staff in your hand, Moses. With it, you shall do My wonders! I shall be with you, Moses. [puts Moses down on the ground, and vanishes]
Tzipporah: But, Moses, you are just one man.
Moses: Tzipporah, please. [sighing] Look at your family.
Moses: They are free. They have a future. They have hopes and dreams and the promise of a life with dignity. That is what I want for my people. And that is why I must do the task that God has given me.
[the people walk with the sheep, then they hug]
Tzipporah: I'm coming with you.
[they all wave with the camel walking by Moses and Tzipporah, by desert, buildings, then the men push, with the camel walking with Moses and Tzipporah, then laying on the ground, then grabbing the boy, then the men walk away, the guards walk inside, by the men, then they all lay down, then Rameses puts his hand up]
Moses: Rameses.
Rameses: Moses? Is it really?
Rameses: [hugs Moses] Moses!
Moses: Rameses!
Rameses: Where have you been? I took you for dead.
[they both laugh]
Rameses: Look at you!
Moses: Pharaoh.
Rameses: Well, look at you. What on earth are you dressed as?
Moses: Oh, Rameses, it's so good to see you.
Hotep: Excuse me, Your Majesty. We are compelled to remind you this man committed a serious crime against the gods.
Huy: We are loathe to bring it up, mind you.
Hotep: The law clearly states the punishment for such a crime...
Huy: Death!
Hotep: We hesitate to say it.
Rameses: Be still. Pharaoh speaks. I am the morning and the evening star.
Moses: Rameses.
Rameses: It shall be as I say. I pardon forever all crimes of which he stands accused and will have it known that he is our brother Moses, the prince of Egypt.
Moses: Rameses, in my heart, you are my brother, but things cannot be as they were.
Rameses: I see no reason why not.
Moses: You know I am a Hebrew, and the God of the Hebrews came to me.
Rameses: What?
Moses: He commands that you let his people go.
[the crowd murmur]
Rameses: Commands?
Moses: [raises his stick] Behold, the power of God. [puts his stick down, then transforming into a snake]
Rameses: Well, uh, impressive. Hmm. Very well, Moses. I'll play along. [chuckling] Hotep. Huy. Give this snake charmer our answer.
Both: By the power of Ra.
Hotep: Mut.
Huy: Nut.
Hotep: Khnum.
Huy: Ptah.
Hotep: Nephthys.
Huy: Nekhbet.
Hotep: Sobek.
Huy: Sekhmet. Sokar. Selket. Reshpu. Wadjet. Anubis. Anukis. Seshmu. Meshkent.
Hotep: Hemsut.
Huy: Tefnut.
Hotep: Heket.
Huy: Mafdet.
Hotep: Ra, Mut, Nut, Ptah. Hemsut, Tefnut, Sokar, Selket. Seshmu, Reshpu, Sobek, Wadjet. Heket, Mafdet, Nephthys, Nekhbet, Ra! [singing] So you think you've got friends in high places with the power to put us on the run.
Huy: [singing] Well, forgive us these smiles on our faces. You'll know what power is when we are done.
Both: Son.
Hotep: [singing] You're playing with the big boys now.
Huy: [singing] Playing with the big boys now.
Hotep: Oh, that's pretty. [singing] Every spell and gesture.
Huy: [singing] Tells you who's the best.
Both: [singing] You're playing with the big boys now. You're playing with the big boys now. You're playing with the big boys now.
Hotep: [singing] Stop this foolish mission!
Huy: [singing] Watch a true magician!
Both: [singing] Give an exhibition how!
Huy: [singing] Pick up your silly twig, boy!
Both: [singing] You're playing with the big boys now!
Hotep: Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
Priests: [singing] By the power of Ra, Mut, Nut, Khnum, Ptah, Sobek, Sekhmet, Sokar, Selket, Anubis, Anukis, Hemsut, Tefnut, Meshkent, Mafdet!
Both: [singing] You're playing with the big boys now! You're playing with the big boys now! By the might of Horus, you will kneel before us! Kneel to our splendorous power!
Hotep: [singing] You put up a front!
Huy: [singing] You put up a fight!
Hotep: [singing] And just to show we feel no spite.
Huy: [singing] You can be our acolyte.
Hotep: [singing] But first, boy. It's time to bow.
Priests: Kowtow! Or it's your own grave you'll dig, boy. You're playing with the big boys.
Playing with the big boys. Playing with the big boys.
Playing with the big boys! Playing with the big boys!
Playing with the big boys! Playing with the big boys now!
[the crowd cheer]
Huy: They love it.
[they all shout and cheer, then grabbing a snake, transforming back into a stick, then they both walk out]
Rameses: All right, Moses, I know you. What's this really about?
Moses: Rameses, look. What do you see?
Rameses: A greater Egypt than that of my father.
Moses: That is not what I see.
Rameses: [chuckles] Moses, I cannot change what you see. I have to maintain the ancient traditions. I bear the weight of my father's crown.
Moses: Do you still not understand what Seti was?
Rameses: He was a great leader.
Moses: His hands bore the blood of thousands of children.
Rameses: [scoffs] Slaves.
Moses: My people! And I can no longer hide in the desert while they suffer...at your hands.
Rameses: So...you have returned...only to free them.
Moses: [removes the ring Rameses gave him and places it on the armrest of the throne] I'm sorry.
Rameses: [picks it up and bows his head, saddened] Yes. I had hoped...that... [closes his eyes, looks up, his regret melted into cold anger, put your hat on and stands up] I do not know this God. Neither will I let your people go. [turns to leaves]
Moses: Rameses, please, you must listen-!
Rameses: [furiously] I WILL NOT BE THE WEAK LINK! [opens the doors] Tell your people, as of today their work load has been doubled, thanks to your God. [Moses' eyes widen in horror] Or is it thanks... to you? [coldly and angrily shuts the doors]
Old Hebrew Man: [looks up and sees Moses] It's Moses. [throws a handful of mud at Moses' face, which sends him to the underground]
Tzipporah: Moses! [Aaron and several other Hebrews surround Moses, looking at him angrily]
Aaron: So, Moses, how does it feel when you get struck to the ground?
Moses: I didn't mean to cause you more pain. I'm just trying to do as God told me.
Aaron: God? [scoffs] When did God start caring about any of us? In fact, Moses, when did you start caring about slaves? Was it when you found out that you were one of us?
Tzipporah: Don't listen to him.
Moses: No, he's right. I did not see because I did not wish to see.
Aaron: [sarcastically] Oh, you didn't see because you didn't wish to see. Ah! Well, that makes everything fine then, doesn't it?
Miriam: [walks over and glares at her brother, unimpressed] Aaron! You shame yourself! [then sees Moses, smilingly]
Moses: Miriam. I'm so sorry. [covers his face in shame]
Miriam: Moses, hear what I say. I have been a slave all of my life, and God has never answered my prayers until now. God saved you from the river, He saved you in all your wanderings, and even now, He saves you from the wrath of Pharaoh. God will not abandon you. So don't you abandon us. [They all look at the men. Moses sees Rameses' boat on the Nile River, then grabs his staff, and walks down. Miriam follows him]
Aaron: Miriam. Where are you going? M-Miriam. [They all walk down, then looking at a boat]
Hotep: The ball disappears. Now, where is it? It's in his hand. How about that? [The Egyptians all laugh]
Moses: [walks over to the edge of the river] Rameses! Let my people go!
Rameses: [chuckles] Still gnawing away at that bone, are we? [to his guards] Carry on.
Moses: You cannot keep ignoring us.
Rameses: Enough! I will hear no more of this Hebrew nonsense. [to his guards] Bring him to me. [Guards pull out their knives and jump into the Nile to retrieve Moses]
Tzipporah: [running after him] Moses!
Aaron: [holding Tzipporah back along with Miriam] No! [Moses walks into the water, and looks up to the sky]
God: Take the staff in your hand, Moses.
[Moses follows God's command; dips staff into water; water slowly turns to blood in the water; Miriam, Tzipporah and Aaron rushed down to the water; guards look confused; 1 guard dips hand into blood infested water]
Rameses' Son: [touches the blood infested water] Father-
Miriam: It's-
Guard: BLOOD!
[The guards start screaming in horror and rush to back to the boat]
Rameses: [getting splattered with blood] Hotep! Huy! Explain this to me!
Hotep: Ah!
Huy: Rest assured, Your Majesty!
Hotep: Uh, yes, we were going to demonstrate the superior might of our gods. Uh... [puts the jug down, then collects the red powder] By the power of Ra! [drops the red powder into the water, creates the same blood]
Rameses: [dips his hand to the blood, and chuckles] Abandon this futile mission, Moses. I've indulged you long enough! This must now be finished! [sails off]
Moses: [to himself] No, Rameses. It is only beginning.
Aaron: But, Moses, didn't you see what happened? The priests did the same thing. Pharaoh still has the power over our lives.
Moses: Yes, Aaron, it's true. Pharaoh has the power. He can take away your food, your home, your freedom. He can take away your sons and daughters. With one word, Pharaoh can take away your very lives. But there is one thing he cannot take away from you: Your faith. [Miriam smiles] Believe, for we will see God's wonders.
Chorus: [Singing]
Thus saith the Lord,
thus saith the Lord...
Since you refuse to free my people all
through the land of Egypt,
I send a pestilence and plague Into your house,
into your bed, into your streams, into your streets,
into your drink, into your bread, upon your cattle,
on your sheep, upon your oxen, in your field,
into your dreams, into your sleep, until you break,
until you yield, I send the swarm,
I send the horde, Thus saith the Lord.
Moses: [Singing]
Once I called you brother.
Once I thought the chance to make you laugh
was all I ever wanted...
Chorus: [singing]
I send the thunder from the sky,
I send the fire raining down.
Moses: [singing]
And even now,
I wish that God had chose another.
Serving as your foe on His behalf,
is the last thing that I wanted.
Chorus: [singing]
I send a hail of burning ice on every field,
on every town.
Moses: [singing]
This was my home...
All this pain and devastation,
how it tortures me inside.
All the innocent who suffer,
from your stubbornness and pride.
Chorus: [singing]
I send the locusts on a wind,
such as the world has never seen, on every leaf,
on every stalk, until there's nothing left of green!
I send my scourge, I send my sword.
Thus saith The Lord!
Moses: [singing]
You who I called brother,
why must you call down another blow?
Chorus: [singing]
I send my scourge,
I send my sword.
Moses: [singing]
Let my people go.
Chorus: [singing]
Thus saith The Lord.
Moses and Chorus: [singing]
Thus saith The Lord!
Rameses: [Singing]
You who I called brother.
How could you have come to hate me so?
Is this what you wanted?
Chorus: [singing]
I send the swarm,
I send the horde.
Rameses: [singing]
Then let my heart be hardened,
and never mind how high the cost may grow.
This will still be so:
I will never let your people go!
Chorus: [singing]
Thus saith The Lord.
Moses and Chorus: [singing]
Thus saith The Lord!
Rameses: [singing]
I will not-
Moses, Chorus and Rameses: [singing]
Let your [Moses: my] people go!
Moses: Rameses? Rameses?
Rameses: [sarcastically] Oh, let me guess. You want me to… "let your people go".
Moses: I… I hoped I would find you here.
Rameses: Get out! [throws a goblet at him, but misses]
Moses: Rameses… we must bring this to an end. [Rameses is silent] Rameses, please. Talk to me. We could always talk here. [paused] This place… so many memories… I remember the time you… [chuckles] switched the heads of the gods in the Temple of Ra. [silent, starts to leave]
Rameses: If I recall correctly, you were there switching heads right along with me.
Moses: No, that was you, I didn't do that.
Rameses: Oh yes, you did. You put the hippo on the crocodile and the crocodile…
Moses: [remembers] …on the falcon.
Rameses: Yes! And the priests thought it was a horrible omen and fasted for two months! Father was furious! You were always getting me into trouble! [pauses as his expression softens] But then… you were always there to get me out of trouble again. [chuckles] Why can't things be the way they were before?
Rameses' Son: Father, it's so dark. I'm frightened. [Rameses walks over to son to comfort him; sees Moses] Why is he here? Isn't that the man who did all this?!
Rameses: Yes. But one must wonder… why?
Moses: Because no kingdom should be made on the backs of slaves. Rameses, your stubbornness is bringing this misery upon Egypt. It would cease if only you would let the Hebrews go.
Rameses: I will not be dictated to. I will not be threatened! I am the Morning and the Evening Star! I am Pharaoh!
Moses: Something else is coming, something much worse than anything before! Please! Let go of your contempt for life before it destroys everything you hold dear. Think of your son! [Rameses' son backs away in fear]
Rameses: [coldly] I do. You Hebrews have been nothing but trouble. My father had the right idea about how to deal with your people.
Moses: [worried] Rameses!
Rameses: And I think it's time I finished the job!
Moses: Rameses!
Rameses: And there shall be a great cry in all of Egypt, such as never has been or ever will be again!
[Moses sees the murals of Pharaoh pointing at a baby, babies in the water, and Rameses' son, who is now utterly horrified. He fears for his nephew's life]
Moses: Rameses, you bring this upon yourself.
Moses: God has come to me again, saying, "Take a lamb, and with its blood...mark the lintel and posts of every door. For tonight...I shall pass through the land of Egypt...and smite all the firstborn. But when I see the blood upon your door...I will pass over you, and the plague shall not enter".
Miriam: [singing]
Many nights we've prayed with no proof anyone could hear.
In our hearts a hopeful song, we barely understood.
Now we are not afraid. Although we know there's much to fear.
We were moving mountains long before we knew we could.
There can be miracles when you believe.
Though hope is frail. It's hard to kill.
Who knows what miracles you can achieve.
When you believe somehow you will.
You will when you believe.
Tzipporah: [singing]
In this time of fear, when prayers so often proved in vain.
Hope seemed like the summer birds too swiftly flown away.
Yet now I'm standing here.
Miriam: [singing]
Now I'm standing here.
Tzipporah: [singing]
With so heart so full I can't explain.
Both: [singing]
Seeking faith and speaking words I never thought I'd say.
There can be miracles when you believe.
Miriam: [singing]
Though hope is frail. It's hard to kill.
Tzipporah: [singing]
It's hard to kill.
Both: [singing]
Who knows what miracles you can achieve.
When you believe somehow you will.
You will when you believe.
Child: [singing]
!אָשִׁירָה לַאֲדֹנָי כִּי-גָאֹה גָּאָה (Ášiyráh laĂdonáy kiy-gáoh gááh! "I will sing to the Lord for he has triumphed gloriously!")
!אָשִׁירָה לַאֲדֹנָי כִּי-גָאֹה גָּאָה (Ášiyráh laĂdonáy kiy-gáoh gááh! "I will sing to the Lord for he has triumphed gloriously!")
?מִי-כָמֹכָה, בָּאֵלִים אֲדֹנָי (Miy-xámoxáh, báéliym Ădonáy? "Who is like you, O Lord among the gods?")
?מִי כָּמֹכָה, נֶאְדָּר בַּקֹּדֶשׁ (Miy kámoxáh, neëddár baqqodeš? "Who is like you, glorious in holiness?")
Children: [singing]
!נָחִיתָ בְחַסְדְּךָ עַם-זוּ גָּאָלְתָּ (Nájiyþá vjasddxá 'am-zuw gááltá! "In your unfailing love you will lead this people you have redeemed!")
!נָחִיתָ בְחַסְדְּךָ עַם-זוּ גָּאָלְתָּ (Nájiyþá vjasddxá 'am-zuw gááltá! "In your unfailing love you will lead this people you have redeemed!")
!אָשִׁירָה, אָשִׁירָה, אָשִׁירָה (Ášiyráh, ášiyráh, ášiyráh! "I'll sing it, I'll sing it, I'll sing it!")
!אָשִׁירָה לַאֲדֹנָי כִּי-גָאֹה גָּאָה (Ášiyráh laĂdonáy kiy-gáoh gááh! "I will sing to the Lord for he has triumphed gloriously!")
!אָשִׁירָה לַאֲדֹנָי כִּי-גָאֹה גָּאָה (Ášiyráh laĂdonáy kiy-gáoh gááh! "I will sing to the Lord for he has triumphed gloriously!")
?מִי-כָמֹכָה, בָּאֵלִים אֲדֹנָי (Miy-xámoxáh, báéliym Ădonáy? "Who is like you, O Lord among the gods?")
?מִי כָּמֹכָה, נֶאְדָּר בַּקֹּדֶשׁ (Miy kámoxáh, neëddár baqqodeš? "Who is like you, glorious in holiness?")
!נָחִיתָ בְחַסְדְּךָ עַם-זוּ גָּאָלְתָּ (Nájiyþá vjasddxá 'am-zuw gááltá! "In your unfailing love you will lead this people you have redeemed!")
!נָחִיתָ בְחַסְדְּךָ עַם-זוּ גָּאָלְתָּ (Nájiyþá vjasddxá 'am-zuw gááltá! "In your unfailing love you will lead this people you have redeemed!")
!אָשִׁירָה, אָשִׁירָה, אָשִׁירָה (Ášiyráh, ášiyráh, ášiyráh! "I'll sing it, I'll sing it, I'll sing it!")
Chorus: [singing]
There can be miracles when you believe!
Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill!
Miriam: [singing]
It's hard to kill.
Chorus: [singing]
Who knows what miracles you can achieve.
Miriam: [singing]
You can achieve.
Chorus: [singing]
When you believe, somehow you will.
Now you will.
You will when you believe.
When you believe.
Miriam: [singing]
You will when you.
Tzipporah: [singing]
You will.
Both: [singing]
Believe.
[Moses walks to the edge of the sea and raises the stick]
God: With this staff, you shall do my wonders!
[Moses drops the stick. The waters flow up, by rocks, causing the wind, then Aaron walks by Moses, then walking away, then they all walk in, by the wind and thunder, then putting the sheep down, then breaking a wheel]
Moses: Leave it!
[they continue walking, then lighting the torches, by a whale, then gasping, then they continue walking, then the camel lays on Aaron]
Aaron: Yeah, me too.
[he puts down the woman, then the tornado hits the ground, then the tornado disappears, then taking a sword out, the the horses run, and the guards run by horses by charging the people, then the chariot breaks, then the horses continue running, then getting up]
Rameses: [battle cries out] DON'T JUST STAND THERE, KILL THEM! [the guards run at the Hebrews] KILL THEM ALL!
Moses: The soldiers! They're coming!
[the Hebrews run away in fear]
Aaron: Moses! Moses! Hurry! Hurry! I got you.
Man: Look, the shore!
[the sea opens, then the men continue running away, then hearing a thunderclap, then the water falls down, then the water crashes down on the soldiers]
Rameses: No! [the water puts Rameses on a rock]
[he runs away by a wave by wind, then the water transforms back into the sea, long pause, then hugging Aaron, then they all murmur and chatter, then hugging the child, then touching the sand, then hugging the woman, and Tzipporah, then Aaron hugs Moses, then Miriam hugs Tzipporah, then walking to Miriam and Tzipporah, then Miriam hugs Moses]
Moses: Thank you.
[she walks away, then Moses walks away, by looking at clouds and sea, then cut to Rameses]
Rameses: Moses! Moses!
[last lines]
Moses: Good-bye, brother. [he walks up]
Chorus: [singing]
!אָשִׁירָה לַאֲדֹנָי כִּי-גָאֹה גָּאָה !אָשִׁירָה לַאֲדֹנָי כִּי-גָאֹה גָּאָה (Ášiyráh laĂdonáy kiy-gáoh gááh! Ášiyráh laĂdonáy kiy-gáoh gááh! "I will sing to the Lord for he has triumphed gloriously! I will sing to the Lord for he has triumphed gloriously!")
Tzipporah: Look. Look at your people, Moses. [they both look at the people] They are free.
Chorus: [continues singing]
!נָחִיתָ בְחַסְדְּךָ עַם-זוּ גָּאָלְתָּ (Nájiyþá vjasddxá 'am-zuw gááltá! "In your unfailing love you will lead this people you have redeemed!")
!אָשִׁירָה, אָשִׁירָה, אָשִׁירָה (Ášiyráh, ášiyráh, ášiyráh! "I'll sing it, I'll sing it, I'll sing it!")
[Moses, holding the Ten Commandments, walks down the hill, overlooking the village]
Yocheved: [singing] Deliver us!

Cast

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