My Review of The Mummy (1959)

 

Written by Jimmy Sangster

Directed by Terence Fisher

John Banning: "Seems I've spent the better part of my life amongst the dead."

Yesterday I was looking for a different version but I'll find that one next week. Anyways this version was in the Hammer Horror side of things and why, it did feature both Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee.

The movie started with a trip to Egypt in the 19th century where John Banning (Peter Cushing), his father Stephen (Felix Aylmer) and his uncle Joseph Whemple (Raymond Huntley) are looking into the tomb of Princess Ananka (Yvonne Furneaux). She was the high priestess of Kharis (Christopher Lee). She was also his lover too.

Of course, John injured himself so he wasn't there to disturb the tomb itself or to ignore the warning of Mehemet Bey (George Pastell) about a curse for those who'd desecrate such an ancient tomb. Then again, when did anyone actually heed such a warning?

Anyways, some years had passed and back in England, a rather traumatised Stephen tried to warn his son about the curse and in particular, the dangers of Kharis. Yes, they brought the mummified Kharis to England and it didn't take long for Kharis to come to life and prove that it wasn't a good idea to disturb a mummy's tomb.

On top of that, John's wife Isobel also happened to look exactly like Princess Ananka and the Mummy noticed this himself. Isobel's resemblance to his dead lover was the thing that also broke Mehemet's control over Kharis, though it didn't entirely keep Isobel out of danger. 

Isobel very nearly ended up being buried in quicksand with Kharis and the scrolls that activated the curse. By the end of the movie, Isobel managed to just about survive while the Mummy got a rather slow second death.

- This movie aired in double bills with either The Bat (1959) or Curse Of The Undead (1959).

- Elements from the 1932 version's sequels were incorporated into the movie.

- Karnak is a city, not a God and eyes are open rather than closed for the dead.

- Chronology: 1895 Egypt as well as 1898 England. There was flashbacks to Ancient Egypt to provide backstory for Kharis and Ananka's relationship.

The Mummy (1959) certainly fused elements of past attempts rather well and as usual, there's a nice reliability in both Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. They give very good performances throughout this particular adaptation. 

Rating: 7 out of 10