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Horror Cult Classic

A cursed Egyptian tomb, a blood-sucking mummy, and a 66-minute descent into 1950s horror.

PHARAOH'S CURSE

STRANGEST OF ALL HORROR STORIES!

1957 · 1h 6m · NR · Horror · IMDB TMDB

Archaeologists in Egypt find one of their crew has been turned into a blood sucking mummy after they have unleashed a three thousand year curse.

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What is Pharaoh's Curse about?

Pharaoh's Curse is a 1957 United States horror film directed by Lee Sholem about a military-led expedition in Egypt that encounters a blood-sucking mummy after unleashing a three thousand year curse.

Synopsis

In 1902 Cairo Egypt, as a riot breaks out in the street, Captain Storm is assigned with a small contingent consisting of himself, Gromley, and Smolet to retrieve the members of an unsanctioned archeological expedition in the Valley of the Kings who are seeking the lost tomb of Rahateb. Storm's mission is compounded to escort the expedition leader's wife Sylvia Quentin as they take a planned route, the group encountering a strange woman named Simira whose brother Numar is helping the Rahateb expedition. Though Storm turns down Simira's offer to lead them on a more direct route, he relents after Sylvia is stung by a scorpion. By the time the group arrive to the site, Simira announces they are too late as Robert Quentin and his group have opened a sarcophagus with Numar suddenly collapsing to the floor.

Quentin is upset about learning he is return to Cairo and that Sylvia only came to end their relationship in person. Returning to the tomb with Storm following after him, they find the mummy is missing with cat footprints leading from the sarcophagus to a solid wall. Quentin storms off to confront Numar upon realizing something was off about the guide's joining the expedition, only to learn that Numar is rapidly aging with no pulse. Later that night, Numar enters the tomb complex as Gromley found one of the animals drained of its blood. Storm confines an unhelpful Simira to her tent as the group chase after Numar, the group splitting up and later finding Gromley after Numar drained him of his blood. During Gromley's autopsy, Andrews and Brecht had translated a stone tablet which details the sarcophagus belonging to Rahateb's high priest who executed ritualistic suicide to be bound by a three-thousand year curse to kill all intruders in the tomb after possessing another body.

Storm leads another venture into the tomb before finding a dying Brecht emerging from the Chamber of Bastet where he was attacked by Numar. Storm attempts to grab Numar when he falls back into Rahateb's chamber and unintentionally rips his arm off. As Farraday deduces that Numar's body had decomposed to the point of gradual disintegration, Simara warns Storm that the survivors must leave or also be killed by Numar. Later, a fearful Sylvia runs into the tomb complex after seeing a cat-like shadow prior to Simira's entering her tent. Sylvia is found by Smolet and is brought to Storm, convincing him and the others to find Simira. But Quentin forces Andrews at gunpoint to find a way to open the pathway to Rahateb's resting place, only to be let in by the decaying Numar and fall victim to a rigged cave-in. After Storm and Beauchamp confirm Quentin's death, Beauchamp finds Simira's amulet as the group proceed to leave the tomb complex. But they find the lid of the high priest's sarcophagus back in place, finding the mummy inside to be Numar. The group then realize Numar was the reincarnation of the high priest while deducing that Simira is the goddess Bastet in human form. Everyone agrees to cover up what had occurred and never divulge the tomb's existence.
Details & Specs
Director
Lee Sholem
Writer
Richard H. Landau
Release
1957
Runtime
1h 6m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Horror

Why Cult

Egyptian Curse Horror

Experience the classic 'ancient tomb gone wrong' formula as an archeological dig in the Valley of the Kings uncovers a deadly, millennia-old curse.

Blood-Sucking Mummy

It’s not just a regular mummy—one of the archaeologists is transformed into a creature with a thirst for blood.

Lean 1950s Runtime

At just 66 minutes, Pharaoh's Curse packs its supernatural punch without overstaying its welcome.

Scorpion Sting Twist

A venomous scorpion bite forces the expedition to trust a mysterious stranger, leading them deeper into danger.

Questions from the Vault

What is Pharaoh's Curse about? +

Pharaoh's Curse follows a military team sent to retrieve an unsanctioned archaeological expedition in Egypt, where they confront a blood-sucking mummy after unleashing a three thousand year curse.

When was Pharaoh's Curse released? +

Pharaoh's Curse was released in 1957.

Who directed Pharaoh's Curse? +

Pharaoh's Curse was directed by Lee Sholem.

How long is Pharaoh's Curse? +

Pharaoh's Curse has a runtime of 66 minutes.

What genre is Pharaoh's Curse? +

Pharaoh's Curse is a horror film.

Where can I watch Pharaoh's Curse? +

Pharaoh's Curse is available to stream on SassyFlix.