Egypt reportedly bans "Exodus" movie, citing "historical mistakes"

Ridley Scott's biblical film Exodus: Gods and Kings reportedly faces a ban in Egypt, where the country's top censor called it historically inaccurate.

In comments to reporters, the head of the Egyptian state censorship board, Abdul Sattar Fathi, said the $140 million retelling of the story of Moses contained "key historical mistakes." He said the film starring Christian Bale falsely "claims the Jews were the ones who built the Pyramids."

The film is based on the book of Exodus in the Bible, which tells of how Moses led Jewish slaves to freedom by parting the Red Sea, after plagues befell their ancient Egyptian oppressors.

Egypt's culture minister, Gaber Asfour, said the movie "gives a Zionist view of history and contains historical inaccuracies and that's why we have decided to ban it."

Egyptian censors also reportedly took issue with the film's explanation of Moses' Red Sea parting as a "tidal phenomenon" rather than an actual miracle.

The film, which opened in the U.S. on Dec. 12, has already faced controversy for its casting white actors in main roles as Egyptians, including Joel Edgerton as the Pharaoh Ramses.

In early December, Scott said those trying to boycott the film because of casting decisions should "get a life."

Other big-budget biblical films have faced similar bans in Muslim-majority countries, like Darren Aronofsky's Noah, which was banned in Egypt and other countries earlier this year.

Morocco has also banned "Exodus," according to reports.