The Curse of King Tut's Tomb (1980 film)
| The Curse of King Tut's Tomb | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Horror |
| Based on | Behind the Mask of Tutankhamen by Barry Wynne |
| Written by | Herb Meadow[2] |
| Directed by | Philip Leacock[2] |
| Starring | Eva Marie Saint Harry Andrews |
| Music by | Gil Mellé |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom United States[1] |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Stoddard W. Kerby Hunt Stromberg Jr. |
| Producer | Peter Graham Scott[2] |
| Production locations | Egypt England |
| Cinematography | Bob Edwards |
| Editor | Adrian Brenard |
| Running time | 98 minutes[2] |
| Production companies | Columbia Pictures Television[2] Stromberg-Kerby Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | NBC |
| Release | 8 May – 9 May 1980 |
| Release | 31 August 1980 (UK) |
The Curse of King Tut's Tomb is a 1980 horror film directed by Philip Leacock and starring Eva Marie Saint, Harry Andrews, Raymond Burr and Tom Baker, with Paul Scofield as the narrator.
Plot
[edit]The English archaeologist Howard Carter and his financier, Lord Carnarvon discover the tomb of Tut-Ench-Amun after years of search. Unscrupulous art collector Sebastian is after the legendary sarcophagus from within the tomb. Rumors abound of a curse that befalls anyone who disturbs the grave. The Curse of the Pharaoh seems to be effective, for there ensues a series of mysterious deaths.
Cast
[edit]- Eva Marie Saint as Sarah Morrissey
- Robin Ellis as Howard Carter
- Raymond Burr as Jonash Sabastian
- Harry Andrews as Lord Carnarvon
- Wendy Hiller as Princess Vilma
- Angharad Rees as Lady Evelyn Herbert
- Tom Baker as Hasan
- Barbara Murray as Giovanna Antoniella
- Faith Brook as Lady Almina Carnarvon
- Patricia Routledge as "Posh" Lady
- John Palmer as Fishbait
- Darien Angadi as Ahmed Nahas
- Rupert Frazer as Collins
- Rex Holdsworth as Doctor
- Stefan Kalipha as Daoud
- Andy Pantelidou as Lieutenant
- Alfred Hoffman as Stallholder
- Paul Scofield as Narrator (voice)
Production
[edit]The film was made-for-television by Columbia Pictures Television,[2] with the story based on the book Behind the Mask of Tutankhamen by Barry Wynne.[3] It is a fictionalised account of Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon's excavation of Tutankhamun's tomb,[4] with the real events embellished with various myths and legends. It was shot in Egypt and England.[1]
The English actor Ian McShane was originally cast as Carter, but had to be replaced when he was involved in a car accident prior to filming and broke his leg.[4]
Soundtrack
[edit]The score was composed by American jazz musician Gil Mellé.
Release
[edit]It was released in two parts and aired on 8 and 9 May 1980.[4]
DVD release
[edit]A Region 2 DVD was released in 2011 by Network.
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Pharaonen- und Mumienfilme" (PDF). G/Geschichte (in German). Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
Note: source gives film's date 1976 not 1980. - ^ a b c d e f The Curse of King Tut's Tomb. Worldcat.org. OCLC 30373019. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ Wynne, Barry (1972). Behind the mask of Tutankhamen. Souvenir Press. ISBN 0285620258. OCLC 906076909.
- ^ a b c This Month in Horror: May 1980
External links
[edit]
- 1980 films
- 1980 television films
- 1980 horror films
- American horror television films
- British horror television films
- Films about archaeology
- Films directed by Philip Leacock
- Films shot in Egypt
- Films shot in England
- Films scored by Gil Mellé
- Cultural depictions of Tutankhamun
- 1980s English-language films
- English-language horror films