Hammer’s 1959 classic The Mummy stars Peter Cushing as archaeologist John Banning, who uncovers the ancient tomb of Princess Ananka, a devoted servant of the god Karnak. But the expedition unleashes a terrible secret long buried. Entombed alive beside the princess was her high priest, Kharis, played by Christopher Lee, punished for defiling her grave yet eternally bound by his undying devotion to her.
When the tomb is opened, Kharis is inadvertently awakened from his centuries-long slumber. Later, a modern-day follower of Karnak (George Pastell) transports the mummy’s preserved remains to England, determined to exact vengeance upon those responsible for desecrating the sacred burial site. One by one, members of the expedition become targets of the mummy. As the body count rises, Banning discovers that his wife bears an uncanny resemblance to Princess Ananka herself – a likeness that may be the only thing capable of restraining Kharis before his revenge is complete.
Any film that pairs Cushing and Lee is a must-see, and they don’t disappoint. Cushing is, as you would expect, excellent and Lee, despite spending most of the film wrapped in bandages, manages to bring both menace and pathos to the role of the mummy.
Yvonne Furneaux takes on the dual roles of Banning’s devoted wife Isobel and the ancient Princess Ananka, bringing a refined subtlety to each, making her equally convincing as both a dignified Egyptian royal and a steadfast Victorian spouse. A year later, she would appear in La Dolce Vita, one of Federico Fellini’s most celebrated films.
The Blu-ray release from Second Sight Films is the best presentation of the film yet. The print looks fabulous, and the disc features the UK theatrical aspect ratio of 1.66:1, as well as an alternate full-frame version of 1.37:1. The new release also includes two full-length audio commentaries. The first, by film academic Kelly Robinson, explores the enduring fascination with mummies in cinema and literature, placing the film within the wider tradition of Gothic horror. The second commentary, featuring Marcus Hearn and Jonathan Rigby, delves into the production itself and examines its significance within the history of Hammer Film Productions. Also included are a series of behind-the-scenes documentaries covering the making of the film, its production history, and its memorable musical score.
THE MUMMY is available on standard edition Blu-ray on May 25th.
