Prince of Egypt Because No Kingdom Should Be Built on the Backs of Slaves

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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. Believe, for we will see God's wonders.

[Moses discovers the slaughter of the Hebrew babies]

Seti: The Hebrews grew too numerous. They might have risen against us.

Moses: Father, tell me you didn't do this.

Seti: Moses... sometimes, for the greater good, sacrifices must be made.

Moses: Sacrifices?

Seti: [hugging him] Oh, my son... they were only slaves.

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: [disembodied] You were born of my mother, Yocheved! You are our brother!

[Moses quickly removes his sandals and throws them behind him]

Moses: What do you want with me?

God: I have seen the oppression of my people in Egypt, and have heard their cry.

[sound of screams and cracking whips]

God: So I shall stretch forth my hand, and lead them out of Egypt, into a good land. A land flowing with milk and honey. And so, unto Pharaoh, I shall send... you.

Moses: Me? W-who am I to lead these people? They won't follow me, they won't even listen!

God: I shall teach you what to say.

Moses: [disembodied] Let my people go!

Moses: But I was their enemy. I was the prince of Egypt, the son of the man who slaughtered... their *children*! You've chosen the wrong messenger! H-how can I even speak to these people?

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: [soothing, lifting Moses up] Oh, Moses, I shall be with you when you go to the king of Egypt. But Pharaoh will not listen. So I will stretch forth my hand and smite Egypt with all my wonders! Take the staff in your hand, Moses. With it, *you* shall do *my* wonders.

[whispers]

God: I will be with you, Moses.

Moses: I figured it out. You know what your problem is, Rameses? You care too much.

Rameses: And your problem is that you don't care at all.

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 hoard!

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!

On Screen Text: [first lines, the text that appears on screen] The motion picture you are about to see is an adaptation of the Exodus story.

On Screen Text: While artistic and historical license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for millions of people worldwide.

On Screen Text: The biblical story of Moses can be found in the book of Exodus.

[laying his dead son on a bier]

Rameses: [grief-stricken] You... and your people... have my permission to go.

[Moses tries to comfort Rameses, only for him to jerk away]

Rameses: LEAVE ME!

Miriam: Moses, hear what I say. I have 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.

Jethro: [singing] A single thread in a tapestry, though its color brightly shine, can never see its purpose in the pattern of the grand design. And the stone 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!

Chorus: [singing] 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 hoard! Thus saith the Lord!

Tzipporah: [Moses has fallen into Jethro's Well] What are you girls doing?

Sister: 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.

[She looks down the well]

Tzipporah: Oh! Oh, my! Don't worry down there! We'll get you out! Hold on!

[She sees it is Moses]

Tzipporah: You!

[Tzipporah lets go of the rope, nods, and saunters away]

Sister: That's why Papa says she'll never get married.

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...

Jethro: When all you've got is nothing, there's a lot to go around.

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 have done nothing in my life worth honoring.

Jethro: First, you rescue Tzipporah from Egypt, then you you defend my young daughters from brigands - you think that is nothing? It seems you don't know what is worthy of honor.

Moses: Rameses? Rameses?

Rameses: [sarcastic] Oh, let me guess - you want me to... let your people go?

Moses: I hoped I would find you here.

Rameses: Get out!

[throws his wine glass on the floor]

Moses: Rameses, we must bring this to an end. Rameses, please, talk to me. We could always talk here.

Moses: [sighs] This place - so many memories. I remember the time you switched the heads of the Gods in the temple of Ra.

[Moses sighs and starts to leave, until Rameses speaks]

Rameses: If I recall correctly, you were there switching heads right along with me.

Moses: No, it was you, I didn't do that.

Rameses: Oh, yes, you did. You put the hippo on the crocodile, and the crocodile on the...

Moses: [remembering] ... 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!

[he starts to walk away, then sighs]

Rameses: But then,

[he laughs]

Rameses: you were always there to get me out of trouble again. Hmmph. Why can't things be the way they were before?

Rameses Son: Father? It's so dark. I'm frightened. 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 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: I do. You Hebrews have been nothing but trouble. My father had the right idea of how to deal with your people.

Moses: 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 there never has been or ever will be again!

Moses: Rameses, you bring this upon yourself.

[first lines]

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 this burning sand! Deliver us, there's a land you promised us! Deliver us to the promised land!

Rameses: [They are both late for the banquet] I'm done for, Father will kill me!

Moses: Don't worry, nobody will even notice us coming in.

[they enter, the crowd cheers loudly]

Rameses: [sarcastic] Nobody will even notice.

Moses: Is this where you found me?

Queen: Moses, please try to understand.

Moses: So everything I thought, everything I am, is a lie.

Queen: No! You are our son and we love you.

Moses: Why did you choose me?

Queen: We didn't, Moses. The gods did.

[sings]

Queen: 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.

Rameses: Come on, Moses, admit it. You've always looked up to me.

Moses: Yes, but it's not much of a view!

Moses: [Sarcastic] Well, that went well.

Rameses: Just go away.

Moses: It could have been worse!

Rameses: The "weak link in the chain." That's what he called me.

Moses: Well, you are rather pathetic.

Rameses: "Irresponsible... Ignorant of the traditions." He practically accused me of bringing down the dynasty!

Moses: Yeah, I can see it now. "There go the pyramids!"

[laughs]

Rameses: And there shall be a great cry in all of Egypt, such as there never has been or ever will be again!

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 what God told me.

Aaron: God? When did God start caring about any of us?

[shouts]

Aaron: 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: Oh, you didn't see because you didn't...

[shouts]

Aaron: wish to see! Ah! Well that makes everything fine then, doesn't it?

Yocheved: [singing, while wrapping a blanket around her baby and hiding it in her arms] Yal-di ha-tor veh he ha-rach...

[My good and tender son]

Yocheved: Al ti-ra, veh al tif-chad.

[Don't be frightened and don't be scared]

Yocheved: 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...

[Yocheved, Miriam and Aaron race to the river with the baby]

Chorus: 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...

Yocheved: [placing the baby in the basket] 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. 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, as the Queen takes Moses from the river] 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...

Moses: [after Rameses refuses to relent] Rameses, you bring this on yourself...

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 spoke to me.

Rameses: What?

Moses: He commands you let his people go.

Rameses: Commands?

Moses: [produces his staff] Behold, the power of God.

Hotep: You're playing with the big boys now.

Huy: Playing with the big boys now!

Hotep: Oh that's pretty.

Rameses: I will not be dictated to, I will not be threatened. I am the morning and evening star, I am Pharaoh!

Rameses: I will not be the weak link!

[last lines]

Tzipporah: Look. Look at your people, Moses. They are free.

Jethro: [singing] 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 heavens eyes! Look at your life, look at your life, look at your life through heavens eyes!

Miriam: [singing] 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

Seti: Why do the gods torment me with such reckless, destructive, blasphemous sons?

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.

Rameses: Tell your people as of today, their work load has been doubled, thanks to your God. Or is it thanks... to you?

Tzipporah: I won't be given to anyone, especially an arrogant, pampered, palace *brat*!

Rameses: [laughs, to Moses] Are you going to let her talk to you like that?

Moses: [Scoffs] You will show the proper respect for a prince of Egypt.

Tzipporah: But I *am* showing you all the respect you deserve: None!

[Pulls rope free]

Moses: [to approaching guards] No, wait!

[Dives and grabs rope]

Moses: Be still!

Tzipporah: [Starts pulling rope] Untie this rope! I demand you set me free!

Moses: Be still!

Tzipporah: Let go!

Moses: [Notices pond behind Tzipporah, smiles] As you wish.

[Abruptly lets go]

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.

Moses: [singing] You who I called brother, why must you call down another blow?

Chorus: I send my scourge, I sent my sword!

Moses: Let my people go!

Chorus: Thus saith the Lord!

Moses,Chorus: Thus saith the Lord!

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?

Hotep: So you think you've got friends in high places, with the power to put us on the run.

[he vanishes]

Huy: Well, forgive us these smiles on our faces. You'll know what power is when we are done, son...

Aaron: Miriam, do you want us flogged?

Rameses: [laughing] All right, Moses, I know you. What's this really about?

Moses: [looks at the slaves building the empire] Rameses... look. What do you see?

Rameses: A greater Egypt than that of my father.

Moses: That is not what I see.

Rameses: [laughs] 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: [dismissively] Slaves.

Moses: My people. And I can no longer hide in the desert while they suffer... at your hands.

Rameses: [his face falls, disappointed] So... you have returned... only to free them?

[Moses gives Rameses the ring back]

Moses: I'm sorry.

Rameses: Yes... I had hoped... that...

[He closes his eyes for a moment and then opens them angrily]

Rameses: I do not know this God. Neither will I let your people go.

Moses: Rameses, please, you must listen...

Rameses: I will not be the weak link!

Rameses: [walks away, then opens the doors] Tell your people as of today, their workload has been doubled, thanks to your God. Or is it thanks... to you?

[He coldly shuts the doors]

Moses: [Moses sees Tzipporah sneaking past the guards] Guards!

Guards: Prince Moses!

[Moses and Tzipporah look at each other silently]

Moses: There's a... a man tied up in my room. Well, look into it!

Guards: Right away, sir!

Rameses: Oh, let me guess - you want me to... let your people go?

Moses: Hey Rameses, how would you like your face carved on a wall

Rameses: Someday yes

Moses: How about now.

[Moses pushes Rameses chariot against the wall]

Rameses: You almost killed me

Moses: aw c'mon where's your sense of fun.

Rameses: oh its fun you want

[Rameses tries to push Moses of a hill, but Moses brakes only to make Rameses fall off the cliff instead]

Hotep: We offer you this delicate desert flower.

[Pulls Tzipporah down from her camel]

Rameses: Let us inspect this desert flower.

[Tzipporah tries to bite him]

Rameses: More like a desert cobra!

Moses: Not much of a snake charmer, are you?

Rameses: Thats why I'm giving her to you.

Rameses: [after destroying the Sphinx's nose] You don't think we'll get in trouble for this, do you?

Moses: No, not a chance!

Moses: [to an abusive slavedriver whipping an elderly slave] Stop it. Stop! Stop it! Leave that man alone!

Sister: This is why pop says she'll never get married.

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Prince of Egypt Because No Kingdom Should Be Built on the Backs of Slaves

Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120794/quotes/qt0323256

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