ABC Sunday Night Movie Open: "The Ten Commandments" - 1984

ABC's annual airing of "The Ten Commandments" on 4/15/84, preceded by a Newswatch 13 promo.

[@joelpineda2042]

Wow the intro. Really takes me back to those days when they showed movies on regular channels. But that intro really brings back good childhood memories. I use to just wait for those movies. That intro and music really brings me joy. Thank u for this.

[@jasonburger3533]

@Joel Pineda. That classic ABC Star Tunnel Movie Theme had been used from 1981 to 1986 and they showed movies several nights a week through the 1990s and movie miniseries as well.

[@DimeraFan28]

I just love this movie so much, Every Easter, I would watch this on TV.

[@fromthesidelines]

I remember when ABC used to present "THE TEN COMMANDMENTS" in two parts- on the "SUNDAY/MONDAY NIGHT MOVIE", at 9pm(et)- during most of the '70s. Then, they began showing it in one night- Sunday- beginning at 8pm(et), ending around 12:40am. By the '80s, they moved the start of the film to 7pm(et), with the conclusion at 11:40....

[@haydennizchavez1926]

The movie was a masterpiece.

[@gterrymed]

It still is a masterpiece

[@lchambers56]

I watched this every year growing up in the 70s and 80s around Easter. Such a great childhood memory and I'll always be thankful for it. 🙏

[@smoothbro9711]

I love those movie intros when it was worth staying home to watch a movie before nextflix and blockbuster video

[@kascnef]

And hulu

[@robertpetite6266]

and reality TV

[@kathymoriarty1441]

@@kascnef Oh God I Miss Watching ABC Sunday Night Movies On TV, It was the best thing to watch on a Sunday Night, I Remember My Husband Greg and I, our two children, our oldest son Barry and our youngest daughter named Zoe, we would be in the living room, Greg and I would be sitting on the couch, Barry and Zoe would be sitting on the floor, We would each have a bowl of hot popcorn, We would watch ABC Sunday Night Movie on TV, and the Best Movies To Watch Is, Movies 1984. 1. Footloose. 2. The Muppet's Take Manhattan. 3. Police Academy. 4. Sheena. 5. Splash. 6. Ewoks Caravan Of Courage. Happy 37th Anniversary to these Five Movies. 1984 - 2021. Movies 1985. 1. Back To The Future. 2. The Black Cauldron. Animated Movie. 3. Clue. 4. Cocoon. 5. The Color Purple. 6. D.A.R.Y.L 7. Ewoks The Battle For Endor. 8. Explorers. 9. Legend. 10. Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. 11. Rainbow Brite and The Star Stealer. Animated Movie. 12. Rocky 4. 13. Sesame Street Presents Follow That Bird. Happy 36th Anniversary to these 13 Movies. 1985 - 2021. Movies 1986. 1. The Clan Of The Cave Bear. 2. Firewalker. 3. Flight Of The Navigator. 4. The Great Mouse Detective. Animated Movie. 5. Howard The Duck. 6. The Karate Kid part 2. 7. Little Shop Of Horrors. 8. My Little Pony The Movie. Animated Movie. 9. Short Circuit. 10. The Transformers The Movie. Animated Movie. Happy 35th Anniversary to These 10 Movies. 1986 - 2021. Movies 1987. 1. Adventures In Babysitting. 2. Baby Boom. 3. Benji The Hunted. 4. The Brave Little Toaster. Animated Movie. 5. Bride Of Boogedy. 6. Dirty Dancing. 7. Ernest Goes To Camp. 8. G.I. Joe The Movie. Animated Movie. 9. Harry and The Henderson's. 10. Pinocchio and the Emperor Of The Night. Animated movie. 11. Project X. 12. Robocop. 13. The Lost Boys. 14. The Princess Bride. 15. Can't Buy Me Love. 16. Three Men and a Baby. Happy 34th Anniversary to these 16 Movies. 1987 - 2021. Movies 1988. 1. Beetlejuice. 2. Big Top Pee-Wee. 3. Cocoon The Return. 4. Coming To America. 5. Ernest Saves Christmas. 6. Gorillas In The Mist. 7. The Land Before Time. 8. Oliver & Company. Animated Movie. 9. Pound Puppies And The Legend Of Big Paw. Animated Movie. 10. Scrooged. 11. Short Circuit 2. 12. Who Framed Roger Rabbit. 13. Willow. 14. Willy The Sparrow. 15. Akira. Anime Movie. 16. My Neighbor Totoro. Anime Movie. 17. Grave Of Fireflies. 18. Rain Man. 19. Big Buiness. 20. Twins. 21. The Bear. 22. Big. 23. Mac and Me. Happy 23rd Anniversary To These 23 Movies. 1988 - 2021. Movies 1989. 1. All Dogs Go To Heaven. Animated Movie. 2. The Abyss. 3. Back To The Future Part 2. 4. Batman. 5. Born On The Fourth Of July. 6. Field Of Dreams. 7. Glory. 8. Honey I Shrunk The Kids. 9. K-9. 10. The Little Mermaid. Animated Movie. 11. Look Who's Talking. 12. My Mom's a Werewolf. 13. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. 14. Tango & Cash. 15. Turner & Hooch. 16. The Wizard. 17. No Holds Barred. 18. Uncle Buck. 19. Kiki's Delivery Service. Anime Movie. 20. Road House. 21. The Burbs. 22. Little Nemo Adventures In Slumberland. Animated Movie. Happy 32nd Anniversary to these 22 Movies. 1989 - 2021. Movies 1990. 1. Air America. 2. Arachnophobia. 3. Back To The Future Part 3. 4. Bird On A Wire. 5. Cartoon All Stars To The Rescue. Animated Movie. 6. Dances With Wolves. 7. Darkman. 8. Dick Tracy. 9. Ducktales The Movie Treasure Of The Lost Lamp. Animated Movie. 10. Edward Scissorhands. 11. Ernest Goes To Jail. 12. Ghost. 13. Ghost Dad. 14. Gremlins 2 The New Batch. 15. The Guyver. 16. The Hunt For Red October. 17. Jacob's Ladder. 18. Jetson's The Movie. Animated Movie. 19. Kindergarten Cop. 20. Look Who's Talking Too. 21. Mermaids. 22. Misery. 23. Pretty Woman. 24. Problem Child. Etc. etc.

[@sabster74]

I remember seeing this movie every Easter Sunday night.

[@bertmustin]

One of the great television traditions.

[@DixiePokerAce]

I don't think it comes on TV anymore.

[@continentalrcinglg]

@@DixiePokerAce No, ABC still shows it every Easter weekend.

[@dja-train2265]

@@continentalrcinglg "The Ten Commandments" has been shown in prime time on ABC every Easter/Passover since 1973. For the last 15 years, they've played it on the Saturday night before Easter.

[@jasonburger3533]

​@@DixiePokerAce It does, but not always on Easter Sunday.

[@jasonburger3533]

​@@dja-train2265 Well, this year it aired on April 1st, so not on Easter Sunday, but they stream it through their website as well.

[@tsntana]

Everything about this intro is powerful. From the logo for Closed Captioning. To the title card for the Sunday Night Movie. And of course, Ernie Anderson announcing the timeless classic, "The Ten Commandments...Next" Happy Easter folks.

[@kathyquinn8616]

I Just Absolutely love The Ten Commandments, that is one of my favorite Church-Related Movies, right next to, Ben-Hur, The King Of Kings, The Greatest Story ever told, The Story of Ruth, and Jesus of Nazereth, I remember the eve before Easter, my Husband Jason David, our five children, our 4-year-old identicle twins a girl named Kayleigh and a boy named Barry, our 6-year-old son named Luke, our 8-years-old son named James, and our 10-year-old son named Mark, would be sitting in the living room of our house, the kids would be on the floor, Jason David and I would be sitting on the couch, we would watch this movie, and it was unbelievable, from start to finish.

[@jasonburger3533]

@tsntana That is called the ABC Star Tunnel Movie Theme and was used to introduce ABC-TV movies that were made for television, network television premieres, or 2-hour premieres of television. series and were shown several nights a week, not just on Sunday nights.

[@phoenixman8569]

Have not see this on tv for more years than I can remember, I do believe I did watch this with my now late parents back In 1984.

[@fromthesidelines]

Several years back, the network decided Sunday night was "too valuable" for them to show the movie (especially with their lineup of "AMERICA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS", "EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION", "DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES" and "BROTHERS AND SISTERS"), so they shifted it to Saturday at 7pm(et). ending at 11:45pm [five more minutes of commercials].

[@ricksantana1016]

This clip from start to finish was sheer perfection!!

[@DimeraFan28]

Every Easter, I used to watch this movie, and it's so awesome.

[@maverick309]

Ahhh, When TV was actually TV. How I miss these days. That intro still stands up today! They should redress and reuse it.

[@DimeraFan28]

I Just Love This Movie, It's Unbelievable, My Family and I watched this movie Every Easter, I hope when Easter comes again (2012), I'll be able to stay awake, and see the whole movie.

[@tsntana]

@faithful4 That man's name was Ernie Anderson (1923-1997). "Tonight..." You're right. No matter if it was a big movie or a half hour sitcom. It was always something to look forward to when he announced it. The sound of his voice always meant, "Don't miss this!".

[@mariannarosario6294]

I own this movie on DVD and Jesus of Nazareth on DVD. IO also grew up watching these two movies as well as King of Kings, The Greatest Story Ever Told, Jesus El Nino Dios, Jesus and La Vida de Nuestro Senor Jesucristo all on TV as a little girl with my late grandma every Christmas and Easter. Brings back so many memories, and the music to the intro of the ABC Sunday Movie Opening also brings back so many memories, since I was born in '84 and grew up in the '80s and '90s.

[@janiedoe1542]

Marianna Rosario , I would have to agree with you, because, The Ten Commandments, Jesus of Nazareth, King Of Kings, and The Greatest Story Ever Told, Is My Favorite Church-Related Movies, I remember when Jesus of Nazareth was on what was known as "The Family Channel", I remember watching it, and it was awesome, from start to finish, I was on the edge of my seat, I also remember every Easter, I would watch The Ten Commandments, and that movie too was awesome, I even liked the part when Moses parted the red sea so that the Hebrews would get across, that was unbelievable.

[@sherryhannah498]

Janie Doe did you watch the musical Jesus Christ Superstar as well????????!!!...it was good I have it the DVD and the soundtrack on audio cassette also remember when Jesus of Nazareth premiered on The NBC Big Event in 1977?????!!!!

[@sherryhannah498]

Marianna Rosario did you see Jesus Christ Superstar also?????!!!..it was a musical about the last week of Jesus' life...it had that song I don't know how to love him that was done by Helen Reddy remember?????!!!...I have the movie on DVD and the soundtrack on audio cassette..remember when Jesus of Nazareth premiered in 1977 on NBC?????!!

[@lilgiggler35]

@Laceykat66 they originally showed on Easter Sunday night until 2003. Then they switched to Saturday night. Timewise Saturday was better because people didnt have to get up for work or school the next day. I remember watching it on Sunday night because it was to only night of the year besides New Years Eve that I was allowed to stay up past midnight as a child. A truely magnificent movie. It has moments of campiness, but that only adds to its grandeur.

[@StephenLuke]

Yeah ol Charleton Heston (1923-2008).

[@tsntana]

2018, still on ABC. Pretty much started right after World News Saturday.

[@InFltSvc]

Nothing says Easter like this opening! There will never be great pictures like this again. I was born in 1964 and grew up with this wonderful work of art full of unbelievable talent in front of and behind the camera. Every year my family and I would gather to watch this GREAT picture...as well as the King of Kings and Ben Hur. And even today in 2024 I will still pull it out of my library to watch it if it’s not being broadcasted. I found that the networks are removing such great movies including kids holiday cartoons for reasons likely as the new generation has gotten away from God and replaced it with all things evil. Surprisingly, a lesson that should be learned from this very movie, when Moses came down from the mountain. God Bless us all!

[@RideMyBMW]

holy sh$#....the build up is SPECTACULAR!

[@jasonburger3533]

@RideMyTruck That was called the ABC Star Tunnel Movie Theme and was used from 1981 to 1986 for ABC movies, some made-for-television, some network television premieres of theatrical releases, and some series premieres that began as a 2-hour movie and these were shown several nights a week back in the day.

[@ericbarash8496]

Television has never been the same.

[@jasonburger3533]

@@ericbarash8496 Yes, the ABC-TV Star Tunnel movie intros used between 1981 and 1986 was the best they had ever had for ABC-TV movie intros, while CBS-TV and NBC-TV had their own elaborate movie intros and movies themselves, although the ABC-TV star tunnel was especially good, better than some movie theater movie intros.

[@AnimaniacZero]

Oh my God. My mom recorded this on VHS and I've seen this intro so many times. Awesome stuff.

[@nardpuncher]

Also...they showed all the best parts just in that commercial!

[@scottlowman.1044]

Reliving is better than living when it comes to TV.

[@CBelmont73]

"We'll return after these messages" plus Ernie Andersen's voice on that final clip, It's like god himself said to "stay tuned "

[@jmars309]

I keep watching this movie every year during Passover , I am not Jewish , but a friend who is Jewish told me that the movie is fanciful.

[@michaela.mccracken4461]

We'll return after these messages!

[@musiclover98ify]

to everyone who is asking when this movie airs. ABC airs The Ten Commandments the night before Easter from 7pm local time to Midnight. ABC has aired the movie since the 60s, at first airing it the night before Easter and Easter Sunday, and then starting in the early 80s, in its enterity starting at 7pm EST and running till at or past Midnight, and ABC tape delays the show so that ABC affilates on the West Coast can see the movie at 7pm local time.

[@michaela.mccracken4461]

ABC's annual TV airing of Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten Commandments" is always an Easter weekend tradition. And it still is!

[@BomberMonkAssassin32]

I was getting ready to say the same thing 10 or 11 years ago they(ABC)aired this on easter sunday now they air it the day before...

[@ClassicLoverA]

Last night was ABC's 40th annual telecast of The Ten Commandments.

[@iamnomad101]

An epic open to an epic movie! From the CC bumper to the "star tunnel" open to Ernie Anderson's voice to top it all off!

[@michaela.mccracken4461]

Tonight! A story so great... ...a film so magnificent... ...an experience for the entire family! Charlton Heston, and Yul Brynner, in Cecil B. DeMille's Masterpiece... "THE TEN COMMANDMENTS"! Next!

[@pw529]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH LOVE THE INTRO THE MOVIE WAS THE BEST EVER MADE AND THE INTRO WORDS ARE SO TRUE THANK YOU MR. DEMILLE AND ABC FOR SHOWING IT EVERY YEAR JUST WISH IT WAS IN THE THEATERS EVERY YEAR

[@dolphinbuc]

Yes! Enjoy this..you'll never get it like this again....ever.

[@michaela.mccracken4461]

"RIPLEY'S 'BELIEVE IT OR NOT!'" and "HARDCASTLE AND McCORMICK" will not be seen tonight... ...but they'll be back Next Week! Now stay tuned for A Special ABC Movie Presentation.

[@ericbarash8496]

Back in the day the broadcast of the Ten Commandments was more epic than today.

[@radiodj1520]

In This Clip, From 0:00 To, It Was KOVR-TV's Newswatch 13's Weekend Edition Video ID From April 1984.

[@jasonburger3533]

The ABC-TV Star Tunnel Movie Intro Theme was used several nights a week to introduce made-for-TV movies, network television premieres of theatrical movies, and 2-hour premieres of ABC-TV series television.

[@neneshubby]

Wow, memories

[@DimeraFan28]

I Just Love This Movie, It's So Awesome, Unbelievable, I Remember Watching This Movie when I was living at the farmhouse in Canton, South Dakota,

[@nardpuncher]

Ha! They probably had to start it at 5PM so people could get to bed by 11!

[@fromthesidelines]

The movie usually started at 7pm(et), and ended at 11:45pm.

[@williamcrowe2576]

"Those who will not live by the Law... SHALL DIE BY THE LAW!!"

[@x60hz]

You know he's saying "Lord" right ? Not Law

[@1976REDRYDER]

I am so sick of CGI! I remember when the new Indiana Jones was going to be filmed Spielberg said he wanted to do it old school but they went CGI anyway. Build the sets and film! Remember the ten commandments! That is on here at ABC movie too. What great massive sets were built

[@oldstvital2]

if only sunday nights were still just as special.....when the family would sit around the tv and watch a movie together.....

[@geneshifter]

This intro is so righteous.

[@usuckthereturn]

One of my favorite fictional epics!!

[@RideMyBMW]

wow, listen to that intro...the thundering timbals and frenzied strings building up to an explosion. You would hear this I tell ya and youd drop everything cuz you KNEW there was some quality entertainment bout to come on the tube.

[@gregorydotson6776]

GOD talking from the burning bush , I'AM THAT I'AM.

[@robertthomas5736]

Back When ABC Sunday Night Night Movies, Were Always Incredible Events,Along With Disney Movies For Free, With Free Cartoons!

[@chotzrary]

Totally love the announcer' s getting all righteous!!! Thanks mom and dad for taking to the drive-in to watch this movie and then guess what the bummer of watching this on tv. It's not the same. The Ten Commandments should be seen at the big screen.

[@phoenixman8569]

nice thought, but thanks to internet instant gratification, kids these days do not have the attention span to sit though a movie this long..

[@quintonhill2159]

You said he sounded sluggish doing the into well he should Cecil b had a heart attack doing filming He barely finish making it and died a year later.

[@55Porter]

At 0:16 seconds you will witness the most 80's three-second clip you have ever experienced.

[@blackphoenix77]

This is on tonight!

[@ChrisRoth1972]

Dang I remember that ABC opening & the Music to it when Superman II & Star Trek II were on ABC. Movies felt more magical in those days probably because there was no streaming,Netflix & so on.

[@kmart3697]

KOVR is now CBS O&O STATION)

[@whattheheck1000]

I've ridden in about 450 different cars in my lifetime... and I was born in Dec. 1992 November 1, 2012

[@ir10031981]

beginning September 1984, the new CC bumpers would be used,( desert scene).

[@ericbarash8496]

Television has never been the same.

[@Robnoxos]

It was not Easter Weekend until Ernie Anderson told us it was... every Easter Sunday... for a decade... with a film "so great". I admire ABC that they still play The Ten Commandments every year to this day. It's still a tradition, I suppose. It's a tradition I fully support. What I don't understand is the BBC running "The Phil Silvers Show" AKA Sgt. Bilko every Christmas Day. Maybe such traditions are best left unsaid as they still fall within yearly things people enjoy.

[@jewlo]

ON Tonight!

[@robertthomas5736]

Great Retro Promos

[@michaela.mccracken4461]

It's a better newscast, weekends!

[@walterschivo9123]

And each year, ABC broadcasts the movie the 10 commandments, 4 and a half hours.

[@davidpar2]

TV release from before the movie’s color was restored. It wasn’t even 30 years old then

[@tghecko5258]

I swear, Ernie Anderson's voice could get you excited to watch paint dry.

[@robertthomas5736]

The Movie is 3,and a Half Hours Long, with lots of commercials on ABC

[@CaptainBuckRogers]

@beanut520 Amen. The intro is so cool. Not like today.

[@Laceykat66]

@lilgiggler35 Thanks for that bit of information. I agree that Saturday is a better time as they use to start at 7:00 and run it past 11. I actually love the "campy" grandeur also.

[@ir10031981]

closed captioned bumpers used January? 1983- August? 1984.

[@Laceykat66]

@Fab4geek2010 Actually they did. They just showed it on Saturday.

[@tsntana]

@FutureNewsAnchor Wow never heard of a local affiliate doing that. What do they do when a game runs late?

[@fromthesidelines]

Because Easter and Passover are usually celebrated within the same week, 'MrLogoman'. And because the movie is about the events which led to the origin of the Passover holiday, that's why it's shown around Easter.

[@TaliaIGhul]

Easter Sunday film.

[@roymarshall85]

Ben Hur was the best

[@kascnef]

Prince of egypt was better

[@acusticsunri4255]

How many hours? With commercials 4 hrs?

[@whtxombi4955]

No Ripley's Believe it or Not? I was probably really pissed.

[@moonwillow5]

Please somebody, what is the little tune at the very end at “we’ll return after these messages?”

[@x60hz]

It was probably a little piece of the overture in the beginning

[@moonwillow5]

@@x60hz good thought and thanks, but it finally occurred to me it’s a snippet from Dynasty theme song.

[@AlphanPeter]

Good movie on tv but abc puts to many commericals

[@DixiePokerAce]

4 Egyptians didn't like this.

[@robertthomas5736]

The ABC Sunday Night Movie

[@deoglemnaco7025]

Imagine that

[@LogoAttitude]

Cartoon Network should have their own Easter movie tradition: Pokemon - Arceus and the Jewel of Life. Arceus is Pokemon's version of God, is he not?

[@bobbyboykin7137]

Back when network channels werent political/partisan hacks.

[@halicarnassus834]

Back When Americans were told to Focus on the Multiple Stars of United States Representing Our States and not the Circumstance that The Soviet Atheists had almost same Colors, Lol . The United States 1980s , Unsurpassed Victor. My Childhood. Many of us American Children wondered why the Soviets did not invest in Cable back then, They could have won. Yet the Soviet Union Leaders were Incompetent, Thank Goddess and God. We Americans, Like the Russians, Bothed Liked the Sign of the Star. Unfortunately Atheist Soviet Rulership forgot that Memo. 😕. Especially the memo about NOT starving your Population ..

[@Retrotv]

This needs to be back on Easter Sunday on ABC back where it belongs, not Saturday! all ABC cares about is their blasted Sunday night garbage lineup and so nervous to preempt it for one night! stupid ratings garbage. I hate ABC today.

[@kascnef]

Me too

[@ThomasSellers]

Cecil B DeMille's "movie masterpiece" (Lol, because Charlton Heston is in this, and no one does a better job of overdoing the fake biblical drama than Charlton!) Please note the special effects in this film, especially the parting of the Red Sea, are cheaply made compared to Ridley Scott's standards in his own Moses movie.