The Mummy

The Mummy
by Karl Freund

List Price: $14.98
Our Price: $6.66
You Save: $8.32 (56%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: DVD
See more DVD details

DVD details

DVD Reviews of The Mummy

DVD Review: One of the most unusual films ever made!
Summary: 5 Stars

The story of a 3,200 year old Egyptian who is looking for the reincarnation of the true love of his life, it combines an incredible love story with enough goose bumps to frighten a ghost. It's power to scare is extremely subtle. But this is a character that is brought back to life against his will. He is forced to exist in a time other than his own. As the story unfolds the audience understands that the character's only choice while he is there is to search for his long lost mate. Because of that, the tale is both scary and sad.

The hypnotic appeal of the title character and story is due almost entirely to it's star. Anyone thinking that Boris Karloff could not have played Dracula need only watch this movie. The way the versatile actor uses his eyes and voice to seduce the beautiful Zita Johann (as his romantic interest) is not unlike the technique employed by many of the actors who have played the Count. Even the documentary on the DVD makes many comparisons between the two characters. And, as usual, Boris manages to inject many other dimensions into his characterization. There are not many images in cinema that are as powerful as that last glimpse of Karloff as he is about to be completely wrapped in the bandages that will seal his doom. The reawakening of Im-Ho-Tep at the beginning of the film is created without one note of music in the backround. You are riveted to the screen as you watch the character's eyes slowly open. A nail biting sequence if ever there was one. But nowhere is Mr. Karloff's performance more effective than in the flashback sequence. With his expressive eyes and face he makes you feel sympathy for his character as his beloved passes away. You get the feeling that Im-Ho-Tep will never be the same again.

Backed by a solid supporting cast headed by the beautiful Zita Johann as Helen Grovesnor, Karloff is in good company. Miss Johann and Boris' scenes are beautifully handled. And with Karloff's powerful but subdued acting, it's easy to see how she could be so completely and totally charmed. Edward Van Sloan does yeoman service in yet another older and wiser character who always seems to be giving out advise to the younger hero, in this film played by David Manners. Manners cuts a very appealing figure (as he did in DRACULA) as the hopeful but confused romantic lead. But the best supporting performance in the film belongs to Bramwell Fletcher. After having defied the curse by opening the casket containing the dreaded Scroll of Thoth, Boris reawakens after a long sleep to drive Fletcher's character completely insane. The disturbed laughter followed by the camera's pan to the exit as the trail of Karloff's bandages disappear through the door will be etched in your memory for a long time.

Cinematographer Karl Freund does well in his first credited job of director. Obviously his work in Germany with famous directors such as Fritz Lang (METROPOLIS, M), helped him to create an atmosphere that is most unusual indeed. There are frightening moments in this film to be sure, but they are no more effective than the moments of romance and adoration conveyed by Karloff and Zohann. Miss Zohann's performance is all the more astounding considering the fact that she didn't get along with Freund. The documentary and commentary paint a colorful picture of the nearly sadistic treatment Freund gave to his leading lady. It makes one understand a little better why Zohann didn't do many other films.

MCA has done a great job restoring yet another Universal classic for Digital Video Disc distribution. The film looks brand new. The images practically jump out of the screen at the viewer. The usual documentary, commentary and photo collection are welcome additions. The commentary is particularly interesting, but the typical (for these films) dry delivery once again mar the proceedings.

But, as in the other four classic Universal "monster" movies, it's the film itself that is the meat of the package. And THE MUMMY is one of the best of it's kind, regardless of how uncommon that kind may be. Thanks largely to Boris Karloff's performance and this DVD restoration of it the film will hopefully live on another 3,200 years! Or at least one can hope!

Description of The Mummy