Had a the same problem, pumped them for some time before I got the fluid to move. Seems that the air in the line is enough to keep the fluid "stuck" in the mastercylinder. At least that the impression I had.
Been told a few tricks since, one is to open the bleader and walk away, check it on occasion to be sure the resivour has fluid. Another is to use a syringe to push fluid into the caliper and up to the mastercylinder.