The Mummy's Shroud

source: The Mummy's Shroud

Trailer—The Mummy's Shroud

The Mummy's Shroud

An archaeological expedition does what archaeological expeditions in movies do best: they desecrate an Egyptian tomb and incur the wrath of a mummy. Routine mummy movie from Hammer. Helped by nice cast that includes Hammer vets Michael Ripper and Andre Morell. Ripper has probably his best role as the tragic Longbarrow. John Phillips makes a particularly hissable villain. Opening prologue seems to go on forever. The mummy makeup/costume is particularly ratty. Not sure if that was the look they were going for or if it was just the best they could do. It's not a particularly special horror movie but it's entertaining enough if you're a fan of mummy movies as I am.

OK, it's a corny mummy movie made by Hammer Films in the 1960's. Low budget, over the top acting, cool creepy music and a really scary Mummy monster. Really, what more do you need? If you are a Hammer fan, you will definitely enjoy this one. If not, you may not want to bother. Hammer wasn't trying to fool anyone into thinking of this movie as some kind of masterpiece. Its just a monster movie of the Saturday matinée, or late night channel surfing variety. Nothing to write to Oscar about. In other words, its a Hammer film... get the popcorn and soda, fluff up your sofa cushion, prop your head back, put your feet up and kick back and enjoy!

The legends that surround the curse that accompanied the opening of King Tutankhamen's tomb get a new twist. In Viceroyalty Egypt before World War I Andre Morrell has embarked on an expedition to Egypt to discover if a legend is true about a slave and a pharaoh trading places in their graves. He does do that, but millionaire John Phillips usurps the discovery. He also usurps the curse that comes with it as expedition members die as a Mummy is let loose upon them. Phillips and Morrell share acting honors with Roger Delgado as a bug eyed slave. The future Master in the original Dr. Who series is in fine form as he steals all scenes he's in. Good fright fun from Hammer Films.

This isn't the best of Hammer, despite being directed by John Gilling who, at his best, provided some of the studio's finest. Obviously, the acting presence of Cushing and/or Lee would have improved matters but Hammer stalwarts Andre Morell and Michael Ripper more than do their bit. The Mummy is visually interesting and the emotionless visage coupled with its implacable intent make it pretty chilling at times. Some scenes in this one have clearly inspired later Mummy films. The budget obviously isn't the highest but Hammer always make their films look and sound good. As for the review which notes that the narration sounds nothing like Peter Cushing...get your ears syringed, man! It quite blatantly DOES have similarities and, whilst it clearly isn't Cushing, it's understandable that the error could be made by the inexpert in the matter. That legendary gentleman is my favourite actor so I consider myself to be a reasonable judge.

I stumbled upon "The Mummy's Shroud" one late night on some obscure TV channel. And not having seen this 1967 Hammer Horror movie before, I did of course take the time to sit down and watch it. After all, what am I if not a horror fan? Well, this was definitely not the most interesting or best of movies from the Hammer Horror vault. It had an adequate enough story, especially for a mummy movie - you know what I mean by that genre. The effects in "The Mummy's Shroud" were fair enough, taking into consideration the age of the movie. One of the better aspects of "The Mummy's Shroud" was the fact that they had some good acting performances by a fairly good cast. And that did indeed help to make this otherwise mundane and generic horror movie bearable to watch to the end. Having seen this movie once, I can honestly say that this is not a classic in any way, and it is not a movie that I will be returning to watch a second time.

There are moments in the film that are scary and eerie like the murder of Longbarrow or the mummy's stalking of Stanley Preston. Overall something for strict fans of Hammer films and British horror. Not an enjoyable film from John Gilling like his atmospheric and groundbreaking zombie pic, The Plague of the Zombies(1966). The Mummy's Shroud(1967) gets average performances from the actors except Michael Ripper who provides pathos as the long suffering agent of Stanley Preston, Longbarrow. John Phillips gives a great performance as a greedy and attention obsessed man who does anything to get ahead in life. Far cry from the great and frightful elements of The Mummy(1959).

The Mummy's Shroud is the third of four Hammer Horror "The Mummy" movies and thus far sadly this is the worst. With no star power, a weak looking mummy and exactly the same plot as before it really is a weak link. Stop me if you've heard this one. A group go on an excavation, uncover a tomb but find themselves besieged by a mummy and get picked off one by one. This time however at least there is no reincarnated love interest for how horny bandage wearer! Dull, lifeless, with few characters worth a damn and a script that feels highly recycled. Maybe I'm burning myself out watching all of these back to back, but this failed to entertain on any level. The Good: Interesting finale......kinda of The Bad: Worst looking mummy yet Very dull No originality Things I Learnt From This Movie: Wine does not go in the ear All Egyptians have bad teeth