Land of the Pharaohs (1955)

71% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
50% of users liked it
(365 ratings)

"Nobody knew how a Pharaoh talked!" That's how producer/director Howard Hawks explained some of the sillier dialogue exchanges in the William Faulkner-Harry Kurnitz-Harold Jack Bloom script for Hawks' Land of the Pharaohs. Extravagantly produced with a cast of seeming millions (actually there were… More "Nobody knew how a Pharaoh talked!" That's how producer/director Howard Hawks explained some of the sillier dialogue exchanges in the William Faulkner-Harry Kurnitz-Harold Jack Bloom script for Hawks' Land of the Pharaohs. Extravagantly produced with a cast of seeming millions (actually there were some 10,000 extras), the film speculates on the circumstances surrounding the construction of the Great Pyramids of Egypt. Jack Hawkins plays the Pharaoh, who orders enslaved architect James Robertson Justice to build a magnificent, thief-proof tomb for him. At first, the people of Egypt willingly pitch in to construct the huge pyramid. But as the years roll by and the work shows no signs of abating, the Pharaoh begins relying upon forced labor from lands he has conquered. He also plunders the coffers of his neighboring countries. Cyprus can't pony up the necessary gold, so the country sends luscious Joan Collins (complete with a jewel in her navel) as a "present" for the Pharaoh. Fascinated by the spitfire Collins, the Pharaoh makes her his second wife. What he doesn't know is that Collins is just as much a predator as she would be in the TV series Dynasty. Hoping to gain all of the Pharaoh's kingdom and the riches therein, she stage-manages her husband's death. After the funeral procession, the Pharaoh is sealed in his tomb by a series of sand-operated weights, levers and pulleys (this speculation as to how the Pyramids were closed is the most fascinating part of the film). Collins watches in barely controlled glee; she isn't yet privy to the Egyptian custom of entombing the Pharaoh's widow alive, along with her husband's body--but she soon will be. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Howard Hawks
Written By: William Faulkner, Harry Kurnitz
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Jun 24, 1955 Wide
On DVD: Jun 26, 2007

Critic Reviews

, Variety
When the viewing senses begin to dull from the tremendous load of spectacle, the script and Hawks' direction wisely switch to sex and intrigue.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Fairly awesome if you can get beyond the clunky dialogue.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Hawks forgoes any of those monstrous epic battle scenes, but as always most of his characters are made of shades of gray, which makes for fascinating confrontations throughout.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Much of the picture concerned itself with the building of the pyramid, not an exceptionally exciting event to watch.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Blockbuster epics are usually not this thoughtfully put together.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...big and imposing, like the Great Pyramid itself and maybe just as enigmatic.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
No wars; no battles; one dinky sword fight. But much pageantry.
, Film4
A cracking script and a bittersweet ironic ending satisfy those wanting their drama on an epic scale.

Read all 8 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Stella D

not as cheesy as it looks but still pretty damn cheesy
jay n

Big budget nonsense with Joan vampig it up as a wannabe Egyptian queen. Some impressive set pieces but moves far too slowly to be really involving. Some of the acting is so stiff that if the actors mouths weren't moving you'd think they were trees. Jack Hawkins who in other… More
Big budget nonsense with Joan vampig it up as a wannabe Egyptian queen. Some impressive set pieces but moves far too slowly to be really involving. Some of the acting is so stiff that if the actors mouths weren't moving you'd think they were trees. Jack Hawkins who in other films was a fine actor is strictly phoning it in here and Joan, who was a beautiful woman, looks hideous under terrible cocoa makeup and fire engine red lipstick. Incredibly one of the writers of this sandlot soap opera was William Faulkner! Still on a purely camp level there are things to enjoy.
Constanza B

Spectacular epic tale, moves along at a stately but never sluggish pace, the cracking script scattered with lovely moments, most notably the grim finale when Joan Collins' campy evil character gets her ironic bittersweet come-uppance. With sets by Trauner and camerawork by Lee… More
Spectacular epic tale, moves along at a stately but never sluggish pace, the cracking script scattered with lovely moments, most notably the grim finale when Joan Collins' campy evil character gets her ironic bittersweet come-uppance. With sets by Trauner and camerawork by Lee Garmes, it looks great. Drama on an epic scale, and certainly one of the best epics.