Watch Land of the Pharaohs
- Approved
- 1955
- 1 hr 46 min
-
6.6 (4,749)
Land of the Pharaohs is a 1955 epic film that delves into the mythical and grandiose world of ancient Egypt. Directed by Howard Hawks, it features a star-studded cast that includes Jack Hawkins as Pharaoh Khufu, Joan Collins as his wife Queen Nellifer, and Dewey Martin as the Greek adventurer named Vashtar. The movie takes us back to ancient Egypt, a time when Pharaoh Khufu had just ascended to the throne. The Pharaoh is obsessed with building a magnificent tomb that would become his eternal resting place. The enormity of the task consumes not only him but also his entire kingdom, as they toil endlessly to build a monument worthy of a divine king.
Queen Nellifer, ambitious and conniving, sees an opportunity to gain control of both the kingdom and the Pharaoh by controlling the building of the tomb. She employs tactics of seduction to lure the Pharaoh's learned and trusted architect, Vashtar, into betraying his king's vision. As the tomb becomes more complex and dangerous to build, the Pharaoh is betrayed by his closest advisors, and Vashtar emerges as the only hope to save Khufu's grand dream.
As the construction of the tomb continues, it becomes apparent that the Pharaoh's obsession with the afterlife is reaching alarming proportions. He decides to seal the tomb with treasures, including his own young bride, to make sure no thief can steal the riches within. The climax of the movie brings a thrilling twist, as a group of thieves attempts to infiltrate the tomb to steal the treasure.
Land of the Pharaohs is a grand and epic movie that captures the magnificence of ancient Egypt through an impressive set design and costumes that are true to the time period. The desert landscapes and grand temples transport the viewer to a time when kings and queens ruled an entire land, and few were powerful enough to challenge their authority.
The acting performances of the three leading actors are noteworthy, especially that of Joan Collins, who delivers an outstanding portrayal of the ambitious Queen Nellifer. Her seduction and betrayal of Vashtar and Khufu are among the high points of the film.
The movie's themes revolve around the grandeur of Egypt's pharaonic era, the powerful symbolism of the pyramids, and the devotion of the people who erected these grand structures that still stand tall to this day. It speaks of power, betrayal, and greed, all while capturing the rich cultural heritage of one of history's most enduring civilizations.
Land of the Pharaohs is a must-watch for anyone interested in history, culture, and mythic tales of ancient Egypt. It shows the viewer a time that was bigger than life, where kings and queens held the power of gods and believed in an afterlife that was just as important as the current one. Through the lens of modern filmmaking, it breathes life into these age-old stories and reminds us of the enduring power of the human spirit, even in the face of great adversity.
Land of the Pharaohs is a 1955 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 65.