Land of the Pharaohs (1955)
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71% of critics liked it
(7 reviews) -
49% of users liked it
(386 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… 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
- Directed By
- Howard Hawks
- Written By
- William Faulkner, Harry Kurnitz
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics
- In Theaters
- Jun 24, 1955 Wide
- Studio
- WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES
Critic Reviews
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, 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.
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Fairly awesome if you can get beyond the clunky dialogue.
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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.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Much of the picture concerned itself with the building of the pyramid, not an exceptionally exciting event to watch.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Blockbuster epics are usually not this thoughtfully put together.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Jack Hawkins
as Pharaoh Cheops
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Joan Collins
as Princess Nellifer
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Dewey Martin
as Senta
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Alexis Minotis
as Hamar
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James Robertson Justice
as Vashtar
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Luisa Boni
as Kyra
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Sydney Chaplin
as Trench
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James Hayter
as Mikka Vashtar's Servant
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Kerima
as Queen Nailla
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Piero Giagnoni
as Prince Zanin
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Carlo D'Angelo
as Overseer
- Alex Minotis