The Mummy's Shroud :: Education by Design Store

Customer Reviews

Three interesting version of the classic Mummy tale, from Hammer films.

2007-09-28
The Mummy's Shroud is the third and last of Hammer's Mummy films.
The first was an almost verbatemum remake of the Boris Karloff classic
The Mummy,(1959) done by Universal Pictures,starring Christopher Lee.
Not stopping there, the seconed film was entitled Curse of the Mummy's
Tomb(1965). Followed by Shroud two years later.
While the first film is the best. the following two are also worth seeing.
Especially since the second film "Curse" is unavailable in the US. except
as an import. for which you must have a region free dvd player in order to
view it.
Perhaps Ancor Bay and Hammer Film, will release all three films as a set.
Just as Universal did with it Fly films.

Beware the beat of the cloth-wrapped feet!

2004-09-11
That's the tagline for The Mummy's Shroud (1967), adapted for the screen and directed by John Gilling, a prolific artist mainly associated with Hammer films whose best film, in my opinion, was 1967' Plague of the Zombies, and, while `Shroud' may not measure up to that film, it's certainly worth a look. The film brings together a fairly strong cast, including André Morell (Plague of the Zombies), John Phillips (Village of the Damned), David Buck, host for the 60's British Television show Mystery and Imagination, Michael Ripper (The Reptile), and Maggie Kimberly (The Conqueror Worm).

As the film begins, we're in ancient Egypt, as a tale of a greed and deception unfolds, one that leads to the untimely death of a young pharaoh named Kah-to-Bey, and also of his sworn protector/slave named Prem. Fast-forward to the 1920's, and we now bare witness to a British archeological team, led by Sir Basil Walden (Morell) seeking to locate the tomb of Kah-to-Bey. Also included in the group is Paul Preston (Buck), whose father is financing the entire affair, Claire, assistant to Sir Basil, and a photographer who's name isn't really important as it soon becomes apparent through lack of character development he'll probably meet his maker in the not too distant future (and he does). The search has yet to bear fruit, and things go from bad to worse as the team doesn't return and is thought lost in the expansive deserts of Egypt. These recent events have prompted Paul's father, Stanley Preston (Phillips), to make the trip, presumably due to concerns for his son's safety, but that turns out not to be the case, as his motivations reveal him as an intrinsically flawed character, intent on protecting his investments and securing the acclaim and recognition he believes rightfully to be his, even though his contribution only extends to the financing portion. As Paul's father gets cornered into joining one of the search parties currently setting out to locate the original group, Sir Basil and his entourage manage to find the tomb. Stanley Preston and his rescue party locate the `lost' party, and they uncover the hidden resting place of the pharaoh, and the obligatory curse is presented, you know the one, that states anyone desecrating the tomb shall meet a gruesome death and such, which no one takes seriously, except maybe for Claire. The group returns to civilization with their find, but soon find death not far behind...death in cloth wrapped feet...

Firstly, I have yet to see anyone come close to the Mummy character presented by Boris Karloff from the 30's Universal film. He made the role his own, given his ability to imbue so much into the character without even having to say a word. Subsequently, I have a slight negative bias to usurpers to the throne. That being said, I did enjoy this film, despite a few minor flaws. Gilling is an excellent director and scripter, as evident here. His story is very solid, and even though there's a huge amount of predictability inherent in the story, he manages to really deliver dense, intricate plot with a few well develop characters, even throwing in the occasional twist. I think my favorite character was Stanley Preston, played by John Phillips, as he was just such a colossally dislikeable character, but also the most interesting. The character I liked the least was a tie between Paul and Claire. The character of Paul had not nearly enough depth, and he just never exuded what I expect from a leading male character. I never felt he could actually get the job done. And the character of Claire? Well, she was just very odd looking, almost frog-like with her bug eyes (nice rack, though), and also, her character seemed to lack the depth I would have preferred from the lead female in a film. So how was the Mummy in this film? A bit too plump for my tastes...I expect a character, dead for thousands of years, to show a certain level of desiccation, as seen in previous Hammer Mummy films. Also, I think someone else mentioned this, and I would agree in that the creature's bandages didn't convey the feel necessary to be completely convincing. The two biggest flaws, in my opinion, involve plot elements featuring a wild-eyed fellow with bad teeth, in charge of guarding the pharaoh's tomb, who issues a threat to the group prior to their entering the burial chambers. Seems to me, once the killings of individuals who were present in the tomb started, the surviving associates might mention this guy as a possible suspect to the police, who are finding the investigation of said killings going nowhere fast. We later find he has the ability to control the Mummy, summon its' spirit forth to kill the desecraters by holding the pharaoh's burial shroud and speaking forth certain words, a fact he later proclaims during the dramatic last scenes, with said proclamation leading to his own downfall just before his enemies, the last of the defilers, are about to meet their doom. It reminded me of the obligatory scene in a James Bond film where the villain, having Agent 007 in a rather precarious situation, begins to detail their grand scheme, as the only real obstacle to their machinations is about to die. While not on that large of a scale here, it provides the same effect, that of allowing the doomed character(s) time and/or opportunity to escape their impending fate and turn the tables on the big-mouthed numbskull. Somebody should have told him loose lips sink ships...

The wide screen picture presented on this DVD looks wonderful and there's a pretty decent amount of special features including theatrical trailers for the film, TV spots, a World of Hammer episode entitled Mummies, Werewolves & The Living Dead, and a small reproduction of an original poster for the film enclosed within the case. Final verdict? I'd say 3 ½ stars for the film and the features.

Cookieman108

Entertaining Mummy Saga from Hammer Studios

2003-05-30
"The Mummy's Shroud", is one of the lesser known efforts by the famed English Hammer Studios who were responsible for some of the greatest horror films of the late 1950's and 1960's. Their productions were responsible for reviving some of the most unforgettable Universal Studios horror figures like Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolfman, and The Mummy", in beautiful colour productions that are as popular today as they were 40 years ago. Here it is the Mummy's turn in an admittedly lesser effort than Hammer's classic "The Mummy", of 1959 starring Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing.

"The Mummy's Shroud", set in 1920 tells the story of a team of archaeology experts who come across the lost tomb of the boy Pharaoh Kah-To-Bey and unfortunately fall foul of the tomb protector in the guise of Prem, a manservant of the boy once the sacred words are read aloud off the shroud found covering the boy king by the team. The story begins with a flash back sequence to Ancient Egypt and we see the story of how Prem spirited away the boy when his father was killed in a palace coup and taken into the desert for protection where unfortunately the boy dies and is then buried. Returning to 1920 "The Mummy's Shroud", shows the expedition to find this tomb lead by scientist Sir Basil Walden (Andre Morell, a Hammer regular) and bossy business man Stanley Preston (John Phillips) where they not only find the tomb and remove the bodies and the sacred shroud but ignore the dire warning issued to them by Hasmid, a local Bedouin about the consequences for those that violate the tombs of Ancient Egypt. Resulting from this warning Sir Basil is bitten by a snake just after finding the tomb and after a number of days dies of the snake bite poison. Once placed in the Cairo Museum the mummy of Prem is revived when Hasmid chants the sacred oath on the shroud and then proceeds to go on a murderous rampage to kill off the remaining members of the expedition. One by one those who assisted in removing the contents of the tomb to Cairo are eliminated by such grissly means as strangulation, being thrown out of windows and in one terrible scene having photographic acid thrown in his face. Greedy Stanley Preston the real villian of the piece, after repeated attempts to evade the murder investigations and flee for his own safely is murdered in a Cairo sidestreet by the avenging mummy. All ends happily of course thanks to the intervention of remaining members of the party Paul Preston, Stanley's son and Maggie Claire de Sangre who succeed in destroying the Mummy in a very dramatic and beautifuly staged finale.

While the storyline of "The Mummy's Shroud",is the often used one of revenge against the violators of an ancient tomb it is staged in an entertaining manner which although not the best Hammer Mummy film, still retains the interest. The beautiful location photography gives the film an overall authentic look and the Mummy himself played by tall actor Eddie Powell is genuinely a frightening vision in particular during his brutal murders of the digging party. The film boasts some beautiful narration by the great Peter Cushing during the flash back sequences and any participation by this always letter perfect actor aids tremendously in creating the feel of the time. Hammer veteran Michael Ripper, who appeared in more productions for this studio than anyone else also shines in one of the largest and best written characters of his career as Longbarrow, Stanley Preston's nervous and very put upon assistant during his time in Egypt who eventually falls victim to the Mummy's revenge. A very talented character actor all too often playing poachers, inn keepers or grave diggers, Ripper had a long theatrical background that equipped him for far more demanding roles than those usually assigned to him.

While certainly a lesser effort by Hammer Studios and having the distinction of being the last of their productions to be filmed at the historic Bray Studios, "The Mummy's Shroud", does hold the attention and have the creepy atmosphere expected of any Hammer production. It can't compare with the 1959 Christopher Lee effort but in it's own right is an enjoyable horror film for those that like old fashioned thrills with a scary looking lead monster and plenty of background atmosphere. Beware "the beat of the cloth wrapped feet" when the monster seeks revenge in "The Mummy's Shroud".

creepy and horrific 2003-05-22
I have to say, this movie is pretty scarie for 1967! I've seen alot of horror movies, and I find this to be the scarest!!
I don't recomend this movie for kids under 7 years old.
The best part in the movie is when in the end when the mummy comes after Claire {Maggie Kimberly} but of course the hero {David Buick} comes to rescue her. The music in this movie really gets you into the horror mood when Sir Basil {Andre Morrell} is murdered by the mummy when he's in the gypsy's tent.
This is really spooky!!! I feel sorry for one of the expiditioners who was murdered by the mummy in his hotel room. He is so fat and chubby and that's why I like him. Alot of people die in this movie because of the mummy's curse. The only reason why all of them die is because, they distrubed the spirit of the tomb. I feel this is a great movie with good music and acting.

Another Mummy 2002-01-24
Once again the high quality of Anchor Bay and the extra features turn an otherwise average DVD into something special. The picture quality is quite good and if you like Hammer horror this one is worth a look. I do feel however, that its not one of the better Mummy pictures. The bonus "World of Hammer" episode narrated by Oliver Reed is quite entertaining.

"Beware the beat of the cloth-wrapped feet" and thrill! 2000-12-10
John Gilling's THE MUMMY'S SHROUD is perhaps one of the best of the late 60s Hammer films. I first saw this as a kid on Saturday afternoon TV over 20 years ago and it made a big impact. Though the premise of the film seems overused, the story is nonetheless gripping. The cinematography is quite stunning and the use of colors exquisite. There is a genuine sense of foreboding throughout the film. The casting for the film is decidedly low-key, but bigger Hammer stars may have diluted the script. As for the technical aspects of the DVD, its rates among the best of the Hammer series. The picture is clear and the color brilliant. The soundtrack is amazing in its fidelity. The extras of the DVD add even more value to this wonderful package. Highly recommended!

Honest mistake. 2000-11-05
Regarding my earlier review of this DVD. I think I was wrong in saying Hammer was the "studio that dripped blood". -I believe it was actually Amicus, wasn't it ?. Oh, well. (They both did, I guess.) Almost forgot: I like this movie - "The Mummy's Shroud" is a bloody good movie, now see it !.

Beware the beat of the cloth wrapped feet 2000-10-19
Hammer's third Mummy film follows a fairly typical script, but is overall better than most people give it credit for. A tomb is disturbed and a curse is put on all those who entered the tomb, sound familiar?The films is somewhat slow, but really picks up about a half an hour into it. The excavation set was better than I thought, but the museum looked more like a small storage area than a place where valuable artifacts would be housed. The mummy overall looked pretty good. There is one scene that always bothered me and that is when David Buck puts a hatchet into it's neck, you can tell it is a dummy that is maybe 2/3's the size of the guy playing the mummy. It is really kind of bad when you look at the earlier impaling scene which looks pretty good, but I would think that scene would have mush harder to do than a hatchet in the shoulder. I also got a little annoyed at the gypsy women who overacts to the hilt. Still, this film has a fairly good cast and it remains interesting. This is probably Michael Ripper's best role for Hammer and it certainly better than it's companion film Frankenstein created woman.

Underrated. 2000-09-06
Hammer made a handful of mummy movies, of which the very first one, 1959's "The Mummy", naturally is the best. This later one is usually quite underrated, and often treated like dirt by critics and many fans. To me it's actually the 2nd best Hammer mummy. I really don't know why some people say it's boring and slow, when it almost has more mummy-action than the dull "Curse Of The Mummy's Tomb" and the overrated "Blood From The Mummy's Tomb" combined. Stuntman Eddie Powell is (next to Christopher Lee) the most scary and effective "dustman". And in what is probably his largest role for Hammer, the excellent Michael Ripper shows us why he should have been given much bigger parts. The rest of the cast is very good too, especially the slimy John Phillips. This DVD is a must for Hammerphiles everywhere, and those good humanitarians at Anchor Bay deserve all the praise in the world for giving us another rare jewel from the studio that dripped blood.

FAIRLY GOOD MUMMY MOVIE 1999-05-27
Ok movie if you like films made by HAMMER. The casting of this movie is weak. It could of used the talents of HAMMERS best horror actors, Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. Cushing narates the film but to bad he didn't star in it. The Mummy looks will done but doesn't get that much screen time. The 3 stars is for The Mummy only. Everybody else is a 1 star.