Joseph in the Land of Egypt

Joseph in the Land of Egypt is a silent black and white film produced by Famous Players-Lasky Corporation in 1914. The film is based on the biblical story of Joseph and his brothers from the Book of Genesis, and it stars James Cruze as Joseph, Marguerite Snow as Queen Rancoris, and John Lehnberg as Pharaoh.

The movie tells the story of Joseph, a young man who is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. He is taken to Egypt, where he serves as a slave in the household of Potiphar, a high-ranking official in the kingdom. Joseph eventually catches the eye of Potiphar's wife, who makes advances towards him, but he refuses her advances and is thrown into prison. In prison, Joseph meets two fellow prisoners who have disturbing dreams, and he interprets their dreams accurately. One of the prisoners is later released and goes on to serve as Pharaoh's chief cupbearer, but forgets about Joseph's interpretation of his dream.

Several years later, Pharaoh has a dream that no one in the kingdom is able to interpret. The chief cupbearer remembers Joseph and tells Pharaoh about him. Joseph is brought out of prison and interprets Pharaoh's dream, predicting seven years of famine in the land. Pharaoh is impressed with Joseph's ability and makes him his top advisor, charging him with the task of preparing the kingdom for the coming famine.

As predicted, the famine hits Egypt and neighboring lands, but Joseph's preparations save the people from starvation. Meanwhile, Joseph's brothers, who sold him into slavery years earlier, come to Egypt seeking food. Joseph recognizes them, but they do not recognize him. He tests his brothers' loyalty by accusing them of being spies and keeping one of them as a hostage. Eventually, the brothers come to Joseph's aid and confess their wrongdoing. Joseph reveals his identity to them and forgives them. The film ends with Joseph and his family being welcomed into Pharaoh's court.

The film's cinematography is impressive, particularly for the time in which it was made. The sets and costumes are elaborate, giving viewers a glimpse into life in ancient Egypt. The scenes depicting Joseph's dreams and their interpretations are particularly well done, featuring innovative camera work for the time. James Cruze gives a solid performance as Joseph, portraying him as a noble and virtuous character throughout the film. Marguerite Snow is also impressive as Queen Rancoris, portraying her as a powerful and regal figure.

Despite being over a century old, Joseph in the Land of Egypt remains a compelling and engaging story. The film's themes of jealousy, forgiveness, and redemption are universal and still resonate with audiences today. The film's religious subject matter may make it more appealing to some viewers than others, but its strong performances and impressive cinematography make it a worthwhile viewing experience for anyone interested in silent films or biblical epics.