The Prince of Egypt (1998)

“Let my people go.”

Join Ian, Liam & Megs for our 328th episode as we part the Red Sea, confront destiny, and revisit one of the most ambitious animated films ever made with The Prince of Egypt (1998). Kev? He’s not with us this week — he attempted to follow a mysterious burning bush into the desert and hasn’t returned. We assume he’s negotiating some very specific commandments.

This week we discuss:

• The scale of the storytelling — biblical epic through animation. How does the film balance intimacy with spectacle?
• Val Kilmer’s dual performance — Moses and God. Subtle, conflicted, and quietly powerful.
• Ralph Fiennes’ Ramses — tragic, proud, and deeply human. One of animation’s most underrated antagonists?
• The music — from Deliver Us to When You Believe. Does the soundtrack elevate the film into something transcendent?
• Megs explores the film’s emotional core — brotherhood, identity, and the cost of doing what is right.
• Ian breaks down the animation — traditional techniques blended with early CGI. How well does it hold up?
• Liam questions the narrative focus — is this Moses’ story, Ramses’ story, or something shared between them?
• The depiction of faith — reverent, interpretive, and accessible. Does the film succeed regardless of belief?
• The plagues sequence — visually stunning, morally complex, and still haunting.
• The “show vs tell” balance — how much does the film trust its visuals versus its dialogue and songs?
• Ian goes all Old Testament, telling us that 'the book was better' and how they left the ultimate sideplot sitting on the table
• The ending — epic, earned, and emotionally resonant. Does it land as both spectacle and personal journey?
• And finally, whether The Prince of Egypt is the Best Film Ever — or one of the greatest animated films ever made.

Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at
https://www.patreon.com/BFE

We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

• Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
• Hermes Auslander
• James DeGuzman
• Synthia
• Shai Bergerfroind
• Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most
• Paul Komoroski
• Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
• Andy Dickson
• Chris Pedersen
• Randal Silva
• Nate The Great
• Rev Bruce
• Richard
• Ryan Kuketz
• Dirk Diggler
• Stew from the Stew World Order podcast
• NorfolkDomus
• John Humphrey's Right Foot
• Timmy Tim Tim
• Aashrey
• Youth Hosteling with Chris Eubank

Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/.

Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/