The Making and Meaning of "The Prince of Egypt": A Deep Dive

Nov 15, 2025 0

Released in 1998, "The Prince of Egypt" stands as a landmark achievement in animated filmmaking. Directed by Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner, and Simon Wells, this DreamWorks Animation production is an adaptation of the Book of Exodus, chronicling the life of Moses from prince to prophet. The film is celebrated for its stunning visuals, powerful music, and its respectful approach to a significant religious story.

The Genesis of an Animated Epic

The idea for "The Prince of Egypt" was conceived by Jeffrey Katzenberg, who had long envisioned an animated adaptation of the Moses story. Katzenberg aimed to create a film that transcended the typical fairy-tale formula, offering a more diverse and mature narrative. The film marked DreamWorks Animation's first traditionally animated feature and was a significant undertaking, employing 350 artists from 34 countries.

Crafting the Story

The story development was a collaborative effort, led by story supervisors Kelly Asbury and Lorna Cook. A team of storyboard artists and writers meticulously sketched out the entire film, sequence by sequence. These storyboards were then compiled into a "story reel" or animatic using the Avid Media Composer digital editing system. To ensure theological accuracy, DreamWorks consulted with Biblical scholars, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim theologians, and Arab American leaders.

Musical Heart of the Film

The music of "The Prince of Egypt," composed by Stephen Schwartz and Hans Zimmer, is integral to the film's emotional impact. The songs serve not only as entertainment but also as a narrative tool, driving the story forward and enhancing the emotional depth of the characters.

Schwartz began writing songs for the film from the beginning of its production. Zimmer arranged and produced the songs and eventually wrote the film's score. DreamWorks Records released three soundtrack albums simultaneously for "The Prince of Egypt," each of them aimed towards a different target audience.

"Deliver Us" and the River Lullaby

The opening sequence of the film, featuring "Deliver Us," is a powerful and poignant introduction to the plight of the enslaved Hebrew people. The shift into the River Lullaby highlights the dual meaning of "deliver us": a plea to God for freedom and a mother's prayer for her son's safety. The bravery of Moses' mother, Yocheved, is underscored as she entrusts her son to the river, hoping for his survival and eventual freedom.

The parallel between Yocheved singing the lullaby and Miriam later echoing it to Moses is a touching moment, reinforcing the themes of family, memory, and identity.

Ofra Haza's performance as Yocheved is particularly moving, conveying the depth of a mother's love and sacrifice in the face of overwhelming adversity. Brenda Chapman, one of the directors, even provided the initial voice for Miriam's lullaby, showcasing the team's dedication to capturing the emotional essence of the scene.

"Through Heaven's Eyes": A Philosophical Turn

As the picture developed, Jeffrey Katzenberg began to feel that they needed something more philosophical and thematic in that spot. As we all began to think about it, one of the directors, Steven Hickner, came in with a poem called "The Measure of a Man", and I based the lyric for the song on the philosophy in the poem.

Through Heaven's Eyes

Read also: "When You Believe" analysis

"Through Heaven's Eyes," sung by Jethro (voiced by Brian Stokes Mitchell), marks a turning point for Moses. This song is about self-worth and viewing your life through a brighter lens. It's a big wake-up moment for Moses, who has gone from very prideful and smug to feeling lower than low.

The lyrics reflect Moses' journey, questioning whether a man has “lost his worth” “should [he] lose everything he owns”, which is something Moses has struggled with. So much of Moses’ character journey is tied into how he reconstructs himself when he has lost everything that made him who he was before.

Other Notable Songs

All I Ever Wanted: A song that drowns in denial.
Playing with the Big Boys: The "villain song" of Prince of Egypt.
The Plagues: A very chilling song.
When You Believe: An awards bait song.

Visual Artistry and Character Design

The visual style of "The Prince of Egypt" is a blend of traditional and computer-generated animation, creating a rich and immersive world. The film's art direction and character design aimed for a more realistic feel than typical animated features. Character designers Carter Goodrich, Carlos Grangel and Nico Marlet worked on setting the design and overall look of the characters.

The backgrounds department, headed by supervisors Paul Lasaine and Ron Lukas, oversaw a team of artists who were responsible for painting the sets/backdrops from the layouts. Consideration was given to depicting the ethnicities of the ancient Egyptians, Hebrews, and Nubians properly.

Reception and Legacy

Upon its release, "The Prince of Egypt" was praised for its visuals, music, and voice acting. It grossed $218 million worldwide, becoming the most successful non-Disney animated feature at the time. The song "When You Believe" won Best Original Song at the 71st Academy Awards.

Critics continue to laud the film for its artistic achievements and its respectful handling of a significant religious narrative. The film has been recognized as one of the greatest animated films ever made, with particular praise for its voice cast, animation, characters, cinematography, and musical score.

Awards

Award	Category	Result
Academy Award	Best Original Song ("When You Believe")	Won
Golden Globe Award	Best Original Song ("When You Believe")	Won

Controversies

The Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs in the Maldives stated that "all prophets and messengers of God are revered in Islam, and therefore cannot be portrayed". Following this ruling, the censor board banned the film in January 1999. In the same month, the Film Censorship Board of Malaysia banned the film "so as not to offend the country's majority Muslim population".