Cecil B. DeMilleis a name practically synonymous with the movies. He was one of the founders of American cinema, making 70 features between 1914 and 1958. DeMille was an incredibly powerful Hollywood figure and arguably the most commercially successful filmmaker of all time.He found success in boththe silent eraand during the dawn of talkies, specializing in epic tales, usually about history or religion.
His dominance of the film business led to him famously being name-checked inSunset Boulevard, whereGloria Swanson’s character delivers the iconic line: “Alright, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up.” However, despite being ascendant for so many decades, most of DeMille’s movies are rarely seen these days, meaning that most young viewers won’t be familiar with his work. From Bible stories to swashbuckling action,these are producer-director Cecil B. DeMille’s finest films, ranked.
10’The Ten Commandments' (1923)
Cast: Theodore Roberts, Charles De Roche, Estelle Taylor, Julia Faye
“Laugh at the Ten Commandments all you want, Danny - but they pack an awful wallop!” This silent epic unfolds in two parts: the first focuses on Moses (Theodore Roberts) and the story of Exodus, while the second is set in the modern era and revolves around two brothers grappling with ethical dilemmas. The film vividly recreates ancient Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea with impressive sets and pioneering special effects for its day. Indeed, it wasone of the most expensive films of its time, with areported production costof nearly $1.5 million.
There’s a noticeable tone shift from the first to the second half, but the family conflict remains engaging. Each commandment is broken, leading to inevitable repercussions. This section also boasts solid effects, like a chase up a construction site elevator and the dramatic collapse of a cathedral under construction.While certainly dated,The Ten Commandmentsdeserves praise for its scope and ambition, qualities that always characterized DeMille’s production. Although flawed, it towers over most 1920s movies.
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9’The Sign of the Cross' (1932)
Cast: Fredric March, Elissa Landi, Claudette Colbert, Charles Laughton
“It’s an illusion. It’s madness, I tell you.” Set in ancient Rome,The Sign of the Crossrevolves around the forbidden love between Marcus Superbus (Fredric March), a Roman prefect, and Mercia (Elissa Landi), a devout Christian woman. As their romance blossoms, they find themselves ensnared in the machinations of the tyrannical Emperor Nero (Charles Laughton) and his ruthless henchman, Tigellinus (Ian Keith).
The Sign of the Crossis overtly religious, although it engages with some of its themes more complexly than one might assume. For example, at times, DeMille pokes fun at the characters' moral struggles. Additionally, the film was made during the height of the Great Depression, so budget constraints meant that many sets and costumes fromThe Ten Commandmentshad to be reused. Nevertheless, DeMille succeeds in crafting a big spectacle, including gladiatorial combat and a famous scene where Empress Poppaea (Claudette Colbert) baths in gallons of milk (the milk soured on set, making this a rather unpleasant scene to shoot).
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8’The Cheat' (1915)
Cast: Fannie Ward, Sessue Hayakawa, Jack Dean, James Neill
“The same old story: my husband objects to my extravagance - and you.” This landmark silent film centers on Edith Hardy (Fannie Ward), a socialite who becomes entangled in a web of deceit after embezzling money from the Red Cross. As her financial troubles escalate, she turns to a wealthy ivory dealer, Hishuru Tori (Sessue Hayakawa), for a loan. However, when she fails to repay him, Tori demands a disturbing form of compensation: Edith must become his “property” for a year.
Some of the plot elements have aged poorly, butThe Cheatis highly regarded for its lighting and cinematography. DeMille’s innovative use of lighting not onlyproduces visually stunning momentsbut also creates an illusion of depth previously unmatched in cinema. The play between light and shadows adds dynamism to the compositions, making the scenes feel more tangible and three-dimensional. Here, the camera transcends its passive role as an observer, becoming an active participant in the unfolding drama.
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7’Unconquered' (1947)
Cast: Gary Cooper, Paulette Goddard, Howard da Silva, Boris Karloff
“The King’s Law moves with the King’s muskets, and there are very few King’s muskets west of the Alleghenies.” The swashbucklingUnconqueredplunges viewers into the tumultuous world of colonial America. Abby Hale (Paulette Goddard) is unjustly accused of a crime and sentenced to indentured servitude on the continent. Determined to reclaim her freedom, she becomes entangled in a plot to thwart the French forces and their Native American allies. To do so, she teams up with the valiant Captain Christopher Holden (Gary Cooper).
Unconquered’s dialogue is a little clunky, and the runtime is overlong, but there’s no denying DeMille’s talent for vibrant images or the commitment of the performers. This performance represented a big step forward forthe now-iconic Gary Cooper, in particular, who has great chemistry with Goddard. Plus,Boris Karloffshines in his supporting part as the Seneca chiefGuyasuta. It all culminates in an elaborate battle involving 800 extras and 300 pounds of dynamite.Unconqueredis DeMille at his unrestrained best, doing what he always excelled in
6’Union Pacific' (1939)
Cast: Joel McCrea, Barbara Stanwyck, Akim Tamiroff, Robert Preston
“The train is a world unto itself, and when it leaves in the distance, it takes civilization, protection, and companionship with it.“Union Pacificchronicles the Herculean efforts of the Union Pacific Railroad to connect the East and West coasts of America, a feat fraught with challenges from both nature and human greed. At its center is Jeff Butler (Joel McCrea), an engineer tasked with overcoming obstacles ranging from treacherous terrain to sabotage by rival interests.
McCrea is fittingly rugged and tough in the role, becoming a stand-in for the frontier spirit. He’s joined by several heavy hitters of the 1930s, likeBarbara Stanwyck,Robert Preston, andBrian Donlevy. While the story might not hold much appeal for modern audiences,Union Pacificremains notable for doing a lot to elevate the Western. Its success, and that ofJohn Wayne’sStagecoachthe same year, helped to draw more serious attention to the genre, paving the way for many ofthe classic Westerns that would soon follow.
5’Reap the Wild Wind' (1942)
Cast: Ray Milland, John Wayne, Paulette Goddard, Raymond Massey
“He needs hangin' a little…” This high-seas adventure follows the daring exploits of Loxi Claiborne (Paulette Goddard), a fearless woman who commands a fleet of salvage ships off the coast of Florida. Amidst the tempestuous waters and ruthless competition, Loxi becomes enmeshed in a love triangle with two charismatic men: the dashing ship captain Jack Stuart (John Wayne) and the enigmatic salvager Steven Tolliver (Ray Milland).
All the leads are strong, with Wayne playing a darker character than he typically does, but Milland is the highlight.He was terrific at taking on complex, charismatic figures, as he did most famously inAlfred Hitchcock’sDial M for Murder. Here, he upstages John Wayne, which is no small feat. Although slightly inaccessible given its age and the fact that it was tailored to a very specific audience,Reap the Wild Winddoes showcase DeMille’s flair for spectacle and suspense as few other movies in his filmography do.
4’Cleopatra' (1934)
Starring: Claudette Colbert, Warren William, Henry Wilcoxon, Joseph Schildkraut
“Together we could conquer the world.” As Rome’s grip tightens on Egypt, Cleopatra (Claudette Colbert) is forced to play the game of thrones to retain her position of power. With her seductive charm, she ensnares the hearts of both Julius Caesar (Warren William) and Marc Antony (Henry Wilcoxon), leveraging their affections to safeguard her kingdom’s sovereignty. However, amidst the palace intrigue and the clash of armies, her passions threaten to escape her control.
DeMille delighted in conjuring up large-scale visual worlds, and here he delivers lavish estates adorned with grand sculptures and exotic dancers. Despite the cheesy sets and costumes, the performances are surprisingly modern, particularly Warren William’s portrayal of a sardonic Julius Caesar.The legendary Claudette Colbertalso does a good job of capturing Cleopatra’s growth from a frustrated young royal to a formidable ruler. The stars are let down by a script that occasionally veers into cliché, but one can’t help but fall under the film’s spell.DeMille and Colbert cast a spell on the audience, makingCleopatraa delightfully overblown experience.
3’Samson and Delilah' (1949)
Cast: Hedy Lamarr, Victor Mature, George Sanders, Angela Lansbury
“The trouble you brew today, you’ll drink tomorrow.” DeMille returns to his signature genre of biblical epics, this time telling the story of Samson (Victor Mature), a mighty warrior blessed with supernatural strength by the Almighty. His faith is tested when he falls under the spell of the treacherous Delilah (Hedy Lamarr), who is intent on uncovering the secret of his power. After she betrays him to his enemies, Samson is stripped of his strength and enslaved.
Samson and Delilahis a dramatic tale set against the backdrop of magnificent studio sets and filmed with a litany of intricate composite shots. The affair is anchored by Lamarr’s allure and Mature’s stoic grace, with DeMille’s meticulous staging allowing both to shine.Samson and Delilahwas highly acclaimed upon its original release; years later, DeMille named it among his favorite projects. “Here—for me—is the climax of thirty-seven years of motion picture making, the dream of a lifetime come true,“he saidof it.
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2’The Greatest Show on Earth' (1952)
Cast: Betty Hutton, Cornel Wilde, Charlton Heston, James Stewart
“A fierce, primitive fighting force that smashes relentlessly forward against impossible odds. That is the circus.” Set in the vibrant world of a circus,The Greatest Show on Earthintertwines the lives of various performers, including trapeze artists, clowns, and animal trainers, as they navigate the trials and triumphs of life under the big top. At its heart is Brad Braden (Charlton Heston), the ambitious circus manager, who must contend with personal rivalries, romantic entanglements, and the looming threat of financial ruin.
While the film falls shortof being the artistic statement DeMille intended, it’s still impressive as blockbuster entertainment. It features lush production values, a star-studded cast, and pulse-pounding action sequences. Rarely has the fun of a circus been captured so well on screen. Notably,Steven Spielberghas said thatThe Greatest Show on Earthwas the first movie he ever saw. “I was a victim of the drug called cinema,“the director said. “I became part of an experience.”
The Greatest Show on Earth
1’The Ten Commandments' (1956)
Cast: Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter, Edward G. Robison
“Let my people go!” DeMille’s most successful film, and his last as a director, was a remake of the prologue of 1923’sThe Ten Commandments. Charlton Heston leads the cast as Moses, the Hebrew prince turned prophet, who leads his people out of slavery in Egypt and receives the divine commandments on Mount Sinai. Alongside him,Yul Brynnerdelivers a mesmerizing performance as the formidable Pharaoh Ramses II, whose stubborn refusal to heed Moses' warnings unleashes a series of plagues upon Egypt.
Everything is colossal inThe Ten Commandments, from the effects and sets to the soaring score and the 220-minute runtime. At times,it feels bloated and indulgent, but overall,The Ten Commandmentscontinues to impress as a major cinematic achievement. Here, DeMille established many blueprints for epic filmmaking that would be emulated for decades to come. Fundamentally, though, the movie works because of the compelling dynamic between Heston and Brynner, both of whom turn in top-notch performances.
