The film tells the story of Moses (played by Charlton Heston), a Hebrew who is adopted by an Egyptian princess and grows up as a prince. As Moses discovers his true Hebrew heritage, he becomes embroiled in a struggle against the Egyptian Pharaoh Rameses II (played by Yul Brynner). The movie follows Moses' journey as he leads his people out of slavery, parts the Red Sea, and receives the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai.