Blood from the Mummy's Tomb

Rating:
Summary: Valerie!
Review: A Hammer classic. Just buy it for Valerie Leon! ... I don't think I need to say anything else!

Rating:
Summary: Va-Va-Valerie Leon!
Review: A lot of people slam this film, and while it does have its problems, I consider it an extremely worthwhile slice of Hammerdom. If you are a collector or film buff that generally appreciates Hammer's esteemed output, I don't think you'll be disappointed. The plot does have a couple of holes and the pacing is not terribly steady, but in the end, this is a horror flick for god's sake-- not a documentary or historical fiction. Go ahead and lose yourself in it. For one thing, the movie features Valerie Leon-- a woman who to this day is so enchantingly lovely I would crawl through a mile of broken glass just to be mistreated by her. Her acting, as well as that of the remaining cast is at the very least serviceable if not really top notch. The story provides some interesting twists to the Mummy genre, has some nice creepy supernatural elements, and I really feel it ranks among the best of the late-period Hammer films. I don't as a rule review movies based on the quality of the transfer, etc., but this does happen to look beautiful and the sound is crisp as well. Additional features on the main disc include a brief documentary about the making of the film entitled "Curse of Blood from the Mummy's Tomb" (the production was plagued with disasters from the outset) as well as a nice collection of radio spots, trailers, etc. But this release also includes a second disc comprised of numerous choice Hammer trailers spanning the studio's horror filmography. This disc alone warrants half the price you'll pay for this fine Mummy flick. You can hardly go wrong with Hammer reissues on Anchor Bay.

Rating:
Summary: Another Gem...
Review: A wonderful film, celebrating a little-known story by Bram Stoker, and putting the final lid on one of Hammer's most popular series.
From the story "Jewel of The Seven Stars", comes this picture which has in fact nothing at all to do with bandages, let alone zombies runnning around making strange noises!
This time, the daughter of a famous archeologist is given a special ring that once belonged to a notorious Egyptian Queen.
Naturally the ring has special powers which lead onto many plot twists and turns that would've done Lara Croft proud.
Making the film too was a story in itself. Directed by Seth Holt, who in fact died just before completion, only after one letdown after another, not least of which was Peter Cushing dropping out less than halfway through, having to be replaced by the equally great Andrew Keir as Professor Fuchs, the archeologist.
Special effects were at a minimum in the early 70s, but instead, the movie makes fine use of three key elements, long sweeping shots in slow motion, the much underrated Valerie Leon in the dual roles of Queen Tiera and Fuch's daughter, who becomes dominated by the power of the ring, and a fine background score from Tristan Cary, full of Egyptian mystery.
All in all, a nice unexpected gem from Hammer, with an equally nice open ending.

Rating:
Summary: Another Gem...
Review: A wonderful film, celebrating a little-known story by Bram Stoker, and putting the final lid on one of Hammer's most popular series.
From the story "Jewel of The Seven Stars", comes this picture which has in fact nothing at all to do with bandages, let alone zombies runnning around making strange noises!
This time, the daughter of a famous archeologist is given a special ring that once belonged to a notorious Egyptian Queen.
Naturally the ring has special powers which lead onto many plot twists and turns that would've done Lara Croft proud.
Making the film too was a story in itself. Directed by Seth Holt, who in fact died just before completion, only after one letdown after another, not least of which was Peter Cushing dropping out less than halfway through, having to be replaced by the equally great Andrew Keir as Professor Fuchs, the archeologist.
Special effects were at a minimum in the early 70s, but instead, the movie makes fine use of three key elements, long sweeping shots in slow motion, the much underrated Valerie Leon in the dual roles of Queen Tiera and Fuch's daughter, who becomes dominated by the power of the ring, and a fine background score from Tristan Cary, full of Egyptian mystery.
All in all, a nice unexpected gem from Hammer, with an equally nice open ending.

Rating:
Summary: What a Beautiful Mummy!
Review: Anchor Bay has just released Hammer's Technicolor "Blood from the Mummy's Tomb" on DVD. The disc is 1:78:1 aspect ratio anamorphic. It stars curvaceous Valerie Leon, Andrew Kier, and George Coulouris. Based on Bram Stoker's "Jewel of the Seven Stars", Hammer's "Blood from the Mummy's Tomb" has divided horror fans over the years, many finding it confusing and dull. A group of Egyptologists discover the tomb of an evil queen. A girl is born to the wife of the expedition's leader at the exact moment of the discovery. It becomes evident that she has inherited the beauty and soul of the mummy. This strikes terror into all the archaelogists, as one by one they are gruesomely murdered. Two tragic deaths occurred during filming of "Blood". First, Peter Cushing, originally cast as Professor Fuchs, bowed out after one day's work due to his wife's failing health. Sadly, she died shortly thereafter. Secondly, 47 year-old director Seth Holt died of a heart attack before shooting was completed. Hammer Film chief Michael Carreras finished the film. His work is uncredited. Perhaps a mish-mash of footage from two directors, the final product lacks cohesive visual style. Jumpy hand-held close-ups and giant wind machines simulate visits by unseen forces. The sloppy car-crash and death scene of boyfriend Tod Browning(the character's name no coincidence as a reference to the "Dracula" director) reveal little imagination. The first-rate picture quality of the DVD features an attractive 16:9 transfer of the uncut British version. Extras include "Curse of Blood from the Mummy's Tomb", a documentary running 9:27 minutes, a British trailer, a U.S. TV spot, two radio spots and a still gallery. Hidden on the Extras Menu is an Easter Egg: Shift to the right and highlight the red ring held by actor Hugh Burden. Press enter and view 8 stills of Peter Cushing from his single day of work on the film. They've never been seen before. Finally, Anchor Bay is including a bonus disc with the first 10,000 copies sold: "The Hammer Trailer Collection". "Blood from the Mummy's Tomb" was the 4th and final Hammer Mummy film. It was released in 1971 on a double-bill with "Night of the Blood Monster" starring Christopher Lee.

Rating:
Summary: What a Beautiful Mummy!
Review: Anchor Bay has just released Hammer's Technicolor "Blood from the Mummy's Tomb" on DVD. The disc is 1:78:1 aspect ratio anamorphic. It stars curvaceous Valerie Leon, Andrew Kier, and George Coulouris. Based on Bram Stoker's "Jewel of the Seven Stars", Hammer's "Blood from the Mummy's Tomb" has divided horror fans over the years, many finding it confusing and dull. A group of Egyptologists discover the tomb of an evil queen. A girl is born to the wife of the expedition's leader at the exact moment of the discovery. It becomes evident that she has inherited the beauty and soul of the mummy. This strikes terror into all the archaelogists, as one by one they are gruesomely murdered. Two tragic deaths occurred during filming of "Blood". First, Peter Cushing, originally cast as Professor Fuchs, bowed out after one day's work due to his wife's failing health. Sadly, she died shortly thereafter. Secondly, 47 year-old director Seth Holt died of a heart attack before shooting was completed. Hammer Film chief Michael Carreras finished the film. His work is uncredited. Perhaps a mish-mash of footage from two directors, the final product lacks cohesive visual style. Jumpy hand-held close-ups and giant wind machines simulate visits by unseen forces. The sloppy car-crash and death scene of boyfriend Tod Browning(the character's name no coincidence as a reference to the "Dracula" director) reveal little imagination. The first-rate picture quality of the DVD features an attractive 16:9 transfer of the uncut British version. Extras include "Curse of Blood from the Mummy's Tomb", a documentary running 9:27 minutes, a British trailer, a U.S. TV spot, two radio spots and a still gallery. Hidden on the Extras Menu is an Easter Egg: Shift to the right and highlight the red ring held by actor Hugh Burden. Press enter and view 8 stills of Peter Cushing from his single day of work on the film. They've never been seen before. Finally, Anchor Bay is including a bonus disc with the first 10,000 copies sold: "The Hammer Trailer Collection". "Blood from the Mummy's Tomb" was the 4th and final Hammer Mummy film. It was released in 1971 on a double-bill with "Night of the Blood Monster" starring Christopher Lee.

Rating:
Summary: A later Hammer film of quality finally released
Review: At last in the U.S. we get an excellent copy of this film released by Anchor Bay. Every serious Hammer horror film fan has been waiting for this one. Of special note is the nine minute extra interview with Valerie Leon and Hammer screenwriter Christopher Wicking nostalgically remembering the production of the film. Also there is a "Stills Gallery" of Valerie Leon that is as they say worth the price of admission. All in all an outstanding DVD released by Anchor Bay.

Rating:
Summary: One of the quiet gems from Hammer Horror's Twilight
Review: Based on Bram Stokers other major novel JEWEL OF THE SEVEN STARS, this little gem of a production is fare superior to the more well known AWAKENING which covers the same material. Valerie Leon is simply stunning in the duel role of the long dead Egyptian queen and her modern day reincarnation. Andrew Kier gives his usual splendid and commanding performance as the guardian who must save her from the evil curse. Good, solid direction by Seth Holt (who died during filming) and the customary Hammer atmosphere make this a good addition to your Hammer DVD library. Don't have a Hammer DVD library? Start one! these films are the modern day equivilent of Universal's Classics, and have only been available in badly transfered video format until now. Discover the world of HAMMER HORROR today!

Rating:
Summary: BLOOD FROM THE MUMMY'S TOMB
Review: BEAUTIFUL COLOR, BEAUTIFUL GIRL, GOOD STORY, FANTASTIC ART WORK ON BOX, ORIGINAL MOVIE POSTER CARD, ALL THE XTRA'S. I LOVE EARLY 70'S HORROR. MUST HAVE! this text refers to DVD version.

Rating:
Summary: Jewel is Right
Review: Bram Stoker's little known novella Jewel of the Seven Stars is filled with suspense, Egyptian lore, and just the right amount of sex appeal to lure you. The film takes advantage of that by giving you the visually stunning Leon as a focal point. Backdropped by richly colored Egyptian artifacts, and tinted with that just so shade of horror, this is one of those Hammer Films that you wish they had taken the storyline a little bit further just to see what happens next. Kind of makes you wonder if H.R.R. Ryder and Bram were friends, because Ryder's story which Hammer Films also did, with Ursula Andress as "She", are similiar in nature.