The Curse of King Tut's Tomb (1980 film)

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The Curse of King Tut's Tomb
GenreHorror
Written byBarry Wynne (book Behind the Mask of Tutankhamen)
Herb Meadow (writer)[2]
Directed byPhilip Leacock[2]
StarringEva Marie Saint
Harry Andrews
Music byGil Mellé
Country of originUnited Kingdom
United States[1]
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersStoddard W. Kerby
Hunt Stromberg Jr.
ProducersPeter Graham Scott[2]
Patrick Dromgoole (supervising producer)
Production locationsEgypt
England
CinematographyBob Edwards
EditorAdrian Brenard
Running time98 minutes[2]
Production companiesColumbia Pictures Television[2]
Stromberg-Kerby Productions
Original release
NetworkNBC
Release8 May 1980 (1980-05-08) (U.S.)
31 August 1980 (1980-08-31) (UK)

The Curse of King Tut's Tomb is a 1980 horror film directed by Philip Leacock and starring Eva Marie Saint, Harry Andrews, Raymond Burr and Tom Baker, with Paul Scofield as the narrator.

Plot[edit]

The English archaeologist Howard Carter and his financier, Lord Carnarvon discover the tomb of Tut-Ench-Amun after years of search. Unscrupulous art collector Sebastian is after the legendary sarcophagus from within the tomb. Rumors abound of a curse that befalls anyone who disturbs the grave. The Curse of the Pharaoh seems to be effective, for there ensues a series of mysterious deaths.

Cast[edit]

Production[edit]

The film was made-for-television by Columbia Pictures Television,[2] with the story based on the book Behind the Mask of Tutankhamen by Barry Wynne.[3] It is a fictionalised account of Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon's excavation of Tutankhamun's tomb,[4] with the real events embellished with various myths and legends. It was shot in Egypt and England.[1]

The English actor Ian McShane was originally cast as Carter, but had to be replaced when he was involved in a car accident prior to filming and broke his leg.[4]

Soundtrack[edit]

The score was composed by American jazz musician Gil Mellé.

Release[edit]

It was released in two-parts and aired on 8 and 9 May 1980.[4]

DVD release[edit]

A Region 2 DVD was released in 2011 by Network.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Pharaonen- und Mumienfilme" (PDF). G/Geschichte (in German). Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
    Note: source gives film's date 1976 not 1980.
  2. ^ a b c d e f The Curse of King Tut's Tomb. Worldcat.org. OCLC 30373019. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  3. ^ Wynne, Barry (1972). Behind the mask of Tutankhamen. Souvenir Press. ISBN 0285620258. OCLC 906076909.
  4. ^ a b c This Month in Horror: May 1980

External links[edit]