The Egyptian (1954)
-
63% of users liked it
(972 ratings)
Based on the novel by Mika Waltari and helmed by Casablanca director Michael Curtiz, The Egyptian, a lavish period soaper, is set several centuries before the birth of Jesus Christ. Young Egyptian healer Sinuhe Edmund Purdom (ere accompanied by his servant, Kaptah, played by Peter Ustinov) draws the… More Based on the novel by Mika Waltari and helmed by Casablanca director Michael Curtiz, The Egyptian, a lavish period soaper, is set several centuries before the birth of Jesus Christ. Young Egyptian healer Sinuhe Edmund Purdom (ere accompanied by his servant, Kaptah, played by Peter Ustinov) draws the affection of barmaid Merit (Jean Simmons) who seeks his hand in marriage. Sinuhe provides medical assistance to the epileptic Pharoah, Akhnaton (Michael Wilding), who, meanwhile, becomes convinced that only one god exists, and thus infuriates all of his polytheistic priests, who secretly plot to assassinate him. Sinuhe has an affair with a Babylonian whore, Nefer (Bella Darvi), but grows listless with her and eventually ends the relationship, harkening back to Merit. However, she is soon extinguished, with an arrow through the heart, for also being monotheistic. Angered by this, and believing Akhnaton's ideas directly responsible for Merit's death, Sinuhe and his muscular friend, the affable Horemheb (screen heartthrob Victor Mature) poison the Pharoah. Akhnaton then dies while Horemheb prepares to ascend to the throne. Ingmar Bergman had a point when he admonished the idea of falling for one's lead actress, and it is a lesson one wishes producer Daryl Zanuck had learned; he purportedly had an extramarital affair with Darvi, taking her as a "plaything," but grew sick of her after casting her in seven films. Her career then torpedoed. (Little wonder - her horrendous performance in this film must be seen to be believed; Variety called it "less than believable or skilled.") This $4.2 million film (a massive amount for 1954) suffered from additional production problems as well, with Marlon Brando originally slated to star, but replaced, at the very last minute, by Purdom, a contract player for 20th Century-Fox. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Michael Curtiz
- Written By
- Casey Robinson
- Genres
- Drama, Faith & Spirituality
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Aug 24, 1954 Wide
Critic Reviews
-
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Lavishly produced by Zanuck, this big-budget historical epic is preposterously plotted and acted, though Shamroy's color cinematography is good.
-
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Overlong, risible and plodding historical blockbuster.
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)
Featured Audience Ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Cast
-
Edmund Purdom
as Sinuhe the Egyptian
-
Jean Simmons
as Merit
-
Victor Mature
as Horemheb
-
Gene Tierney
as Baketamon the Pharoah's sister
-
Michael Wilding
as Akhnaton
-
Peter Ustinov
as Kaptah
-
Judith Evelyn
as Taia the Queen Mother
-
Henry Daniell
as Mekere the High Priest
-
John Carradine
as Grave robber
-
Carl Benton Reid
as Senmut
-
Tommy Rettig
as Thoth
-
Donna Martell
as Lady in Waiting
-
Mimi Gibson
as Princess
-
Harry Thompson
as Nubian
-
George Melford
as Priest
-
Lawrence Ryle
as Priest
-
Tiger Joe Marsh
as Libian Guards
-
Ian MacDonald
as Ship's Captain
-
Michael Granger
as Officer
-
Don Blackman
as Nubian Prince
-
Joan Winfield
as Governess
-
Mike Mazurki
as Death House Foreman
-
Michael Ansara
as Hittite Commander
-
Angela Clarke
as Kipa
-
Edmund Cobb
as Patient in Dispensary
-
Henry Corden
as Hittite Officer
-
Bella Darvi
as Nefer
-
Karl (Killer) Davis
as Libyan Guard
-
Carmen De Lavallade
as Egyptian Dancer
-
Tyler MacDuff
as Cadet
-
Peter Reynolds
as Sinuhe at Age Ten
-
Paul Salata
as Egyptian Official
-
Anitra Stevens
as Nefertiti
-
Eghiche Harout
as Syrian at Nefer's
