Main Cast: Andrew Keir, Valerie Leon, James Villiers, Hugh Burden, George Coulouris
Release Year: 1971
Country: UK
Run Time: 94 minutes
Plot
The swan song for director Seth Holt (who died shortly before filming was completed), this stylish Hammer production transcends its low budget thanks to lush photography, a stylish look, and fine performances from the leads. The plot, adapted from Bram Stoker's novel The Jewel of the Seven Stars, involves an expedition led by Professor Fuchs (Andrew Keir) to find the cursed tomb of an evil Egyptian princess. Upon discovery of her sarcophagus, Fuchs finds her perfectly preserved, still-bleeding severed hand -- which also sports a dazzling ruby ring. Several years later, Fuchs gives the pilfered ring to his voluptuous young daughter Margaret (Valerie Leon), whereupon she slowly begins to take on the malevolent traits of its original wearer, seeking revenge for the defilement of her tomb. Though Christopher Wicking's adaptation of Stoker's obscure novel is a bit uneven, it still provides ample suspense and the production has an overall richness that captures the flavor of Hammer's other mummy projects. Remade eight years later (with less effective results) as The Awakening; traces of the same story can also be found in Universal's 1999 mega-budget version The Mummy. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
Review
The death of original director Seth Holt forced Michael Carreras to step in partway through the production of this 1971 Hammer horror outing. Nonetheless, Blood From the Mummy's Tomb exhibits a glamorous style and a creepy atmosphere that remain consistent throughout the film's brisk running time. Despite its title, the picture offers little in the way of bandaged, shambling boogeymen. Instead, Holt and Carreras focus in on spooky detail shots of darkened corners, Egyptian artifacts and a particularly memorable severed hand. More of a suspense outing than an all-out horror flick, the film offers neither special-effects thrills nor truly unsettling moments of terror. But its atmosphere of creeping dread and its quaint Swinging London update of Edwardian motifs mark it as a memorable exercise in style. The gorgeous Valerie Leon proves worthy of a rare starring role as the archaeologist's daughter possessed by the spirit of a murdered Egyptian queen. Despite being surrounded by various archetypes of British manhood, the glamorous starlet walks away with the picture. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
Mark W. Edwards - Tod Browning; Jonathan Burn - Saturnine Young Man; James Cossins - Older Male Nurse; Rosalie Crutchley - Helen Dickerson; David Markham - Doctor; Aubrey Morris - Dr. Putnum; Ahmed Osman - Priest; Joan Young - Mrs. Caporal; Tex Fuller - Patient; David Jackson - Younger Male Nurse; Graham James - Youth In Museum; Tamara Ustinov - Veronica
Credit
Michael Carreras - Director, Seth Holt - Director, Peter Weatherly - Editor, Tristram Cary - Composer (Music Score), Arthur Grant - Cinematographer, Howard Brandy - Producer, Mike Collins - Special Effects, Vivian Wickliffe - Screenwriter, Christopher Wicking - Screenwriter, Bram Stoker - Book Author
Blood From the Mummy's Tomb is a collection of orchestral themes taken from the film of the same name. With quietly trilling flutes, swelling strings, and a very '60s kitchiness, the album is a fun reminder of the atmosphere composers like this could create in relatively cheap and time-straining conditions. ~ Bradley Torreano, All Music Guide
Peter Reynolds (Digital Mastering), Peter Reynolds (Audio Restoration), Gary Wilson (Producer), Gary Wilson (Compilation), Graham Skeggs (Executive Producer), Roy Skeggs (Executive Producer), Ian Christmas (Cover Design), John Mansell (Liner Notes), Philip Martell (Musical Direction)
The movie involves an expedition led by Professor Fuchs (Keir) to find the cursed tomb of an evil Egyptian princess. Upon returning to London, Fuchs and his daughter (Valerie Leon) become involved with death and reincarnation.
The film is notable for its troubled production. Peter Cushing was cast in the film and completed one day's filming before leaving the production after his wife was diagnosed with emphysema. Cushing was replaced by Andrew Keir.[1] The R1DVD of the film released in America by Anchor Bay Entertainment contains still photographs of Cushing's day on the production. Director Seth Holt died of a heart attack five weeks into the six week shoot, collapsing into cast member Aubrey Morris's arms and dying on set.[1]Michael Carreras directed the final week's filming.
According to the book Hammer, House of Horror: Behind the Screams by Howard Maxford, the budget for the film was £200,000.[2]
