The Curse of King Tut's Tomb (1980 film) explained

Genre:Horror
Director:Philip Leacock
Executive Producer:Stoddard W. Kerby
Hunt Stromberg Jr.
Producer:Peter Graham Scott
Starring:Eva Marie Saint
Harry Andrews
Location:Egypt
England
Music:Gil Mellé
Cinematography:Bob Edwards
Editor:Adrian Brenard
Company:Columbia Pictures Television
Stromberg-Kerby Productions
Network:NBC
Released2: (UK)
Runtime:98 minutes
Country:United Kingdom
United States
Language:English

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

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

Production

The film was made-for-television by Columbia Pictures Television,[1] with the story based on the book Behind the Mask of Tutankhamen by Barry Wynne.[2] It is a fictionalised account of Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon's excavation of Tutankhamun's tomb, with the real events embellished with various myths and legends. It was shot in Egypt and England.[3]

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.

Soundtrack

The score was composed by American jazz musician Gil Mellé.

Release

It was released in two-parts and aired on 8 and 9 May 1980.[4]

DVD release

A Region 2 DVD was released in 2011 by Network.

Notes and References

  1. Book: The Curse of King Tut's Tomb. Worldcat.org. 30373019 . 25 February 2021.
  2. Book: Wynne, Barry. Behind the mask of Tutankhamen . Souvenir Press . 1972. 0285620258 . 906076909.
  3. Web site: Pharaonen- und Mumienfilme . 25 February 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110719030604/http://www.g-geschichte.de/pdf/plus/pharaonen_und_mumienfilme.pdf . 19 July 2011 . de . G/Geschichte.
    Note: source gives film's date 1976 not 1980.
  4. http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/20395 This Month in Horror: May 1980