Rating: 
Summary: A Real Original
Review: Very well directed and presenting great quality for a 1932 movie, Boris Karloff has confirmed he is the true master of horror. This film draws you in with it's erie music and well produced flashbacks to ancient Egypt, add to that it's historic touch and it is worth renting at your local video store. Forget the 1999 version, it doesn't hold a candle to the original masterpiece.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the most unusual films ever made!
Review: In all of the history of cinema there has never been a movie quite like this one. Followed by four other Universal "mummy" movies (not counting ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET THE MUMMY) that bear little resemblance to the original, this film stands out as an excellent example of early sound horror. But it is much more than that.The story of a 3,200 year old Egyptian who is looking for the reincarnation of the true love of his life, it combines an incredible love story with enough goose bumps to frighten a ghost. It's power to scare is extremely subtle. But this is a character that is brought back to life against his will. He is forced to exist in a time other than his own. As the story unfolds the audience understands that the character's only choice while he is there is to search for his long lost mate. Because of that, the tale is both scary and sad. The hypnotic appeal of the title character and story is due almost entirely to it's star. Anyone thinking that Boris Karloff could not have played Dracula need only watch this movie. The way the versatile actor uses his eyes and voice to seduce the beautiful Zita Johann (as his romantic interest) is not unlike the technique employed by many of the actors who have played the Count. Even the documentary on the DVD makes many comparisons between the two characters. And, as usual, Boris manages to inject many other dimensions into his characterization. There are not many images in cinema that are as powerful as that last glimpse of Karloff as he is about to be completely wrapped in the bandages that will seal his doom. The reawakening of Im-Ho-Tep at the beginning of the film is created without one note of music in the backround. You are riveted to the screen as you watch the character's eyes slowly open. A nail biting sequence if ever there was one. But nowhere is Mr. Karloff's performance more effective than in the flashback sequence. With his expressive eyes and face he makes you feel sympathy for his character as his beloved passes away. You get the feeling that Im-Ho-Tep will never be the same again. Backed by a solid supporting cast headed by the beautiful Zita Johann as Helen Grovesnor, Karloff is in good company. Miss Johann and Boris' scenes are beautifully handled. And with Karloff's powerful but subdued acting, it's easy to see how she could be so completely and totally charmed. Edward Van Sloan does yeoman service in yet another older and wiser character who always seems to be giving out advise to the younger hero, in this film played by David Manners. Manners cuts a very appealing figure (as he did in DRACULA) as the hopeful but confused romantic lead. But the best supporting performance in the film belongs to Bramwell Fletcher. After having defied the curse by opening the casket containing the dreaded Scroll of Thoth, Boris reawakens after a long sleep to drive Fletcher's character completely insane. The disturbed laughter followed by the camera's pan to the exit as the trail of Karloff's bandages disappear through the door will be etched in your memory for a long time. Cinematographer Karl Freund does well in his first credited job of director. Obviously his work in Germany with famous directors such as Fritz Lang (METROPOLIS, M), helped him to create an atmosphere that is most unusual indeed. There are frightening moments in this film to be sure, but they are no more effective than the moments of romance and adoration conveyed by Karloff and Zohann. Miss Zohann's performance is all the more astounding considering the fact that she didn't get along with Freund. The documentary and commentary paint a colorful picture of the nearly sadistic treatment Freund gave to his leading lady. It makes one understand a little better why Zohann didn't do many other films. MCA has done a great job restoring yet another Universal classic for Digital Video Disc distribution. The film looks brand new. The images practically jump out of the screen at the viewer. The usual documentary, commentary and photo collection are welcome additions. The commentary is particularly interesting, but the typical (for these films) dry delivery once again mar the proceedings. But, as in the other four classic Universal "monster" movies, it's the film itself that is the meat of the package. And THE MUMMY is one of the best of it's kind, regardless of how uncommon that kind may be. Thanks largely to Boris Karloff's performance and this DVD restoration of it the film will hopefully live on another 3,200 years! Or at least one can hope!
Rating:
Summary: Karloff in a Romantic (!) Role -- As Moving as He is Creepy
Review: This is one of the most lyrical horror films ever made in this country, and much of its strength comes from the two romantic leads: Zita Johann, the smartest, sexiest and wittiest of all female leads in the great '30s horror pictures, and -- no, not poor David Manners, who's totally outclassed here -- but Boris Karloff, who proves that his beautiful, restrained voice and haunting eyes can convey love as eloquently as menace. Both performers have a powerful presence: they create a real electricity at their first glance and never allow it to dissipate. Karl Freund has wrapped this story in layers of dreamlike images, very appropriate for a tale about memories. In fact, perhaps the only images we see with razor-sharp clarity are those chilling closeups of Karloff's desiccated face. A masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: Older the Better
Review: The Older the Mummy the better and for sure the older the film the better also. There was always something evocative about watching that Prop plane fly around the planet at the opening of 1930,s Universal Films. A Superb cast that has already been mentioned and of course Directed by the master ..himself Karl Freund. This film has it all and 3700 years of atmosphere
Rating:
Summary: An absolute classic ! ! !
Review: I've lost count how many times I've seen this movie over the years; I have the VHS, Laserdisc and DVD versions with the DVD being the absolute best. I made the mistake of seeing the 1999 "Mummy." Awful. Supposedly, the writer/director was inspired by the Karloff film but it didn't help his final, dreadful film version. And he's planning a sequel! Argh...
Rating:
Summary: Karloff is excellent!
Review: I first saw this classic as a kid. After watching the new enhanced VHS version, I know why I loved this movie. Karloff's staring eyes are something you never forget - chilling! This was perhaps Universal's best film of the 1930's. The cast excellent, acting superb, and the sets spooky. If your a fan of old horror films, buy this video, pop some popcorn, turn off the lights, and enjoy! The scene where the Mummy comes to life chills to this day! The 1999 version can't touch it, even with the FX!
Rating: 
Summary: A hybrid that didn't quite work
Review: There were some scary and funny elements in this film, but there were not enough of either of them to highly recommend the movie. Brendan Fraser's performance annoyed me, probably because I had just watched "Gods And Monsters" a couple of days earlier. He had to act in that one. That wasn't a requirement for this film.
Rating:
Summary: Mummy Mia!
Review: I've WATCHED this classic dozens of times ... but I had never really SEEN it before I bought the DVD version. What an incredible transfer! The picture is razor-sharp with absolutely gorgeous contrast, and the sound is clear and crisp. I discovered subtle nuances in the performances of Karloff, Zita Johann, and David Manners that I had never noticed before, and which improved my enjoyment enormously. The DVD's extras are icing on an already perfect cake ... a much larger still gallery than was offered on the laser disc release, an enjoyable "making of" documentary, carefully researched filmographies, and more! This is a superb presentation of a classic horror film, and an example of DVD at its best.
Rating:
Summary: Karloff King of Horror
Review: Unlike the recent one (crap)without the added one hour of stupid special f/x's, this film scares the blood out of you. The new could not make me stop laughing at it. Karloff deserves an life time acheavement award for scaring people.
Rating:
Summary: THE MOST ROMANTIC OF ALL HORROR FILMS
Review: Seeing "The Mummy" on DVD is like experiencing it for the first time. The crisp black and white photography has never looked better than it does on DVD. The highly stylish sets and camerawork are well served, and the film(good even when seen in second rate television prints)has more power to captivate than ever before. Karl Fruend, who was a great figure in the silent era of German expressionist cinema, directs this film almost as if it were a silent film, with stark visuals telling the story and dialogue used only to move the narrative forward. Karloff IS uncanny in this film. The sadness in his eyes reveals the pain he has felt in hisquest for his long lost princess, captivatingly played by Zita Johann. So romantic that you almost wish Im-Ho-Tep will suceed in his admittedly diabolical plan. The extras on the DVD are grand, though I wish a theatrical trailer would have been included. Despite that very minor shortcoming, this new edition of "The Mummy" will not be supplanted for a long time to come.
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