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Horror Cult Classic

An ill-fated expedition awakens an ancient curse deep in the Valley of the Kings.

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.

Quick Answer

What is Pharaoh's Curse about?

Pharaoh's Curse is a 1957 American horror film directed by Lee Sholem about a military officer leading a rescue mission to an archeological dig in Egypt, where an ancient tomb's curse transforms a crew member into a blood-sucking mummy.

Programmer's Pick

Mummies, curses, and archeological hubris—Pharaoh's Curse delivers classic Egyptian horror with a vintage flair. If you like your expedition disasters with a side of supernatural aging and blood loss, this one digs deep.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Set in 1902 Cairo, Pharaoh's Curse follows Captain Storm as he is dispatched with a small squad to the Valley of the Kings on a mission to retrieve members of an unsanctioned archeological dig seeking the tomb of Rahateb. Along the way, Storm is also tasked with escorting the expedition leader’s wife, Sylvia Quentin. Their journey takes a strange turn after a scorpion sting and the intervention of Simira, a mysterious local woman whose brother is involved with the dig. As tensions rise and the party finally reaches the site, they find themselves entangled in the aftermath of a tomb opening, hinting at ominous supernatural consequences.

Details & Specs

Director
Lee Sholem
Writer
Richard H. Landau
Release
1957
Runtime
1h 6m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Horror

Why This Matters

Released by United Artists as a double feature with Voodoo Island, this 1957 horror film reflects the era's trend of pairing genre films for theatrical distribution.
— SassyFlix Curator

Why Cult

Ancient Egyptian Setting

The story unfolds amidst the tombs and mysteries of 1902 Egypt, immersing viewers in atmospheric archeological adventure.

Blood-Sucking Mummy

This isn’t your garden-variety bandaged menace—expect a cursed crew member transformed into a vampiric mummy.

Supernatural Curse Mechanic

A three-thousand-year-old curse linked to ritual suicide, body possession, and rapid aging adds a chilling layer of menace.

Mysterious Local Guides

The enigmatic Simira and her brother Numar complicate the expedition, blending mythic intrigue with the dangers at hand.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Opening the tomb of Rahateb

Threat

Three-thousand year curse and blood-sucking mummy

Effect

Rapid aging and death among intruders

Countermeasure

Leaving the tomb complex as warned

Setting

Valley of the Kings, Egypt

Questions from the Vault

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.

How does the curse manifest in Pharaoh's Curse? +

The curse causes one of the expedition's crew to rapidly age, become bloodthirsty, and transform into a mummy after the tomb is disturbed.

Trailers & Clips