Main Cast: Robert Taylor, Eleanor Parker, Carlos Thompson, Samia Gamal, Kurt Kasznar, Victor Jory
Release Year: 1954
Country: US
Run Time: 86 minutes
Plot
Using the dry historical tome Gods, Graves and Scholars as its source, MGM came up with the rip-roaring adventure film Valley of the Kings. Robert Taylor plays Mark Brandon, an Indiana Jones-style archaeologist who embarks upon an expedition to Egypt. Brandon has agreed to help Ann Mercedes (Eleanor Parker) to locate the tomb of the Pharoah Ra-Hotep, thereby proving the validity of her late father's theories about Egyptian history. Along for the ride is Ann's seemingly affable husband Philip (Carlos Thompson), while the sinister Hamed Bachkour (Kurt Kasnar), who seems to be a criminal of some sort, dogs the expedition's trail. Upon arriving at the tomb, all heck breaks loose as the film's true heroes and villains are revealed. Valley of the Kings combines location-filmed footage in glorious Eastmancolor with a few moderately convincing studio mockups. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Valley of the Kings is pure hokum, and what is worse, it's very boring hokum. It is, however, very attractive to the eye, thanks to a combination of cinematographer Robert Surtees' expert lensing and the extensive use of location shooting in Egypt, which may not match especially well with the studio sets but which is delicious on its own. Stars Robert Taylor and Eleanor Parker also make Valley very easy on the eyes. Indeed, perhaps if Valley had been re-conceived as a 30-minute travelogue into Egypt, hosted by these two attractive performers, it might have been more entertaining. Unfortunately, Valley is saddled with a screenplay that manages to take what should be combustible (if predictable) ingredients involving an archaeological expedition, lost treasure, forbidden love and nefarious thieves and turn them into 86 minutes of mostly-unrelieved dullness. Oh, there's a 15-minute stretch that's not exactly dull, but it doesn't come anywhere near the level of excitement that is required. A dynamic star in the hero role would have helped, but Taylor is as wooden as he is handsome. Parker gives considerably more to her part, but there's little she can do with the role. Carlos Thompson is disappointing as Parker's no-good husband, and Kurt Kaszner fairly tired as villain. [$Robert Pirosh}'s direction is decidedly lacking in variety and energy. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
MGM bought the rights to the archaeology text Gods, Graves and Scholars for "protection purposes," as it contained a chapter titled "Robbers in the Valley of the Kings" which might have been seen as having influenced the film's script.
The role of Mark Brandon, played in the film by Robert Taylor was originally given to Vittorio Gassman.
The film's world premiere took place simultaneously on 21 July 1954 in Cairo and Alexandria (as well as New York City) and marked the first time an American film had a world premiere in Egypt.
