ABC AND HALLMARK ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCE DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR "THE TEN COMMANDMENTS"

Creative Team is Assembled for Four-Hour Miniseries

The ABC Television Network and Hallmark Entertainment today announced plans to develop "The Ten Commandments," a four-hour miniseries. The two-part epic, which will rely on extensive biblical and historical research to present the story of "Exodus" and an authentic portrayal of 13th century B.C. Egypt, will be executive-produced by Robert Halmi, Sr.

With a veteran team that includes director Robert Dornhelm ("Spartacus-The Miniseries," "Anne Frank"), writer Ron Hutchinson ("Traffic-The Miniseries," "The Josephine Baker Story") and producer Howard Ellis ("Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet in Heaven"), ABC and Hallmark Entertainment are poised to create a monumental television movie event.

"Our portrayal of the story of Moses and the Ten Commandments is meant to be a dramatic, inspirational interpretation," said Halmi. "I strongly feel that this biblical tale should be revisited for the younger generation, as they must realize the importance and consequences of the Ten Commandments." In addition to depicting the emotional power of the story, the miniseries will use today's technology to recreate the spectacle of biblical miracles in amazing Halmi-style.

The project will be overseen by ABC's senior vice president, Motion Pictures for Television and Miniseries, Quinn Taylor. "This miniseries is absolutely epic, yet intimate" said Mr. Taylor, "and we believe Mr. Halmi will perfectly tell Moses' personal, poignant story and show the huge, monumental events as only he can."