Mummy Movie Monday 2: The Mummy (1959).


 I've postponed the Universal Mummy again, delayed gratification.  Today, I'm looking at the next best thing: 1959's The Mummy from Hammer Films.

While this film borrows the title of the 1932 film, it practically strip mines the subsequent Universal films in the series, The Mummy's Hand, -Tomb and -Ghost (I'll be getting to them eventually).

Kharis, priest of Karnak (a who here, rather than a where)  violates the tomb of Ananka in order to bring her back to life.  This doesn't go as planned and he's discovered and mummified alive to be her protector through eternity.  He's played by Christopher Lee, and is just as effective in the wrappings and silent as he is all priestly.

In 1898, Kharis is reawaken by a British expedition that includes Peter Cushing.  And because of the way these things go, Cushings's wife looks JUST! LIKE! ANANKA!

There's the standard British archeological grave robbing because of course there is, and while they take Ananka, Kharis is left to be brought to England by a follower of Karnak.

There he wreaks vengeance on those who defiled Ananka's tomb.

This is all in Technicolor so it's quite lurid, as Hammer films tend to be. 

Unlike Dawn of the Mummy, this film is good for multiple viewings, especially with the "wait, what?" bad Egyptology.   Ananka's funeral procession is a highlight.



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