Beholder of the burning bush, liberator of the Israelites and receiver of the words of Covenant, Moses led a life that was destined for the movies.

Back in 1923, director Cecil B. DeMille brought the prophet's story to the big screen in a silent film called ``The Ten Commandments.'' In 1956, he retold the story in epic fashion, with Charlton Heston in the lead role.

More recently, DreamWorks brought us ``The Prince of Egypt,'' a 1998 animated film aimed at young moviegoers that dramatized the highlights of Moses' eventful existence, notably his freeing of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and his receiving of the stone tablets from God.

France's Elie Chouraqui might have been the latest filmmaker to offer a cinematic take on the Old Testament figure, but he didn't want the tale to get tangled up and tied down in celluloid. In his view, only a musical would do. The fact that he'd never attempted one before barely factored into the equation.

``The story of Moses is too powerful to be confined to the silver screen. It's overflowing with emotion. That's why I turned it into a theatrical extravaganza,'' Chouraqui said through an interpreter during a recent interview in Tokyo.

His ``Les Dix Commandements'' (The Ten Commandments), which premiered in 2000 in Paris, may not be conventional, but the 54-year-old filmmaker has tradition on his side.

``I found that we human beings have long had the custom of addressing God in the form of song, such as hymns,'' Chouraqui explains. ``With that in mind, it seemed that a musical treatment would suit the story better than a play.''

``Les Dix Commandements,'' which has already been seen by more than 2 million people in France, Belgium and Switzerland, will make a two-city tour of Japan in mid-February. Featuring about 30 songs by French pop star Pascal Obispo, the rock opera, which has no spoken dialogue, chronicles the life of Moses from the time he is saved as an infant by Pharaoh Seti's daughter Bithiah, who finds him drifting down the Nile in a basket.

Adopted by Bithiah, Moses grows up with Prince Rameses in the court of the Egyptian pharaoh. The two are like brothers until Moses' Israelite heritage is revealed.

Cast out of Egypt, he wanders through the desert, eventually becoming a shepherd. One day, he stumbles upon God in the form of a burning bush and is commanded to return to Egypt to free the Israelites from the pharaoh's tyrannical rule and lead them to the promised land.

Later, he is again confronted by God on Mount Sinai, where he receives the stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments are inscribed.

``I've tried to keep the show moving like a film through the use of quick-cut editing,'' Chouraqui says.

His remarkably kinetic look at the biblical story is enhanced by dramatic lighting, gigantic sets and computer-generated scenery projected onto screens. Elaborate costumes by French fashion designer Sonia Rykiel complete the package.

Expect eye-popping special effects when the 10 plagues descend upon Egypt and when Moses parts the Red Sea.

``You might be awestruck by the visual effects, but what I really want is for viewers to ponder what such supernatural phenomena symbolize,'' the director says. ``For instance, the parting of the Red Sea symbolizes the deep gulf between the Egyptians and the Israelites, as well as the eternal split of two brothers, Moses and Rameses.''

Taken as a whole, ``Les Dix Commandements'' is a production with a point to make.

``The message we are trying to convey is universal-about love, peace and brotherhood,'' Chouraqui says.

Starring as Moses is Italian rock singer Sergio Moschetto, who's got the charisma needed to portray a man on a mission from God.

Another standout is French pop singer Ahmed Mouici, who plays Rameses. ``Mon frere'' (My Brother), a duet by Moschetto and Mouici, is not to be missed.

Asked whether he'd had difficulties pulling off such a big project, Chouraqui replies in the negative, adding that the whole experience was a pleasure.

``I was not deeply concerned that the show might somehow fuel hatred, bigotry or anti-semitism,'' he says. ```Les Dix Commandements' is a prayer for world peace.''

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``Les Dix Commandements'' will be performed in French with captioned Japanese subtitles Feb. 18-27 (except Feb. 21 and Feb. 23) at Osaka-jo Hall, near JR Osakajo-Koen Station. Call Kyodo Osaka 06-6233-8888.

The show will then be staged March 4-13 (except March 7-8) at Yoyogi National Stadium's Daiichi Taiikukan in Tokyo, near JR Harajuku Station or Meiji-Jingumae subway station. Call Kyodo Tokyo at 03-3498-9999.

9,000 yen-13,500 yen at both venues. Visit < www.dix-com.com > for times.(IHT/Asahi: January 1,2005)