The Curse of King Tut's Tomb (1980 film)

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The Curse of King Tut's Tomb
Genre Horror
Based onBehind the Mask of Tutankhamen
by Barry Wynne
Written by Herb Meadow [1]
Directed by Philip Leacock [1]
Starring Eva Marie Saint
Harry Andrews
Music by Gil Mellé
Country of originUnited Kingdom
United States [2]
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersStoddard W. Kerby
Hunt Stromberg Jr.
Producer Peter Graham Scott [1]
Production locations Egypt
England
CinematographyBob Edwards
EditorAdrian Brenard
Running time98 minutes [1]
Production companies Columbia Pictures Television [1]
Stromberg-Kerby Productions
Original release
Network NBC
Release8 May (1980-05-08) 
9 May 1980 (1980-05-09)
Release31 August 1980 (1980-08-31) (UK)

The Curse of King Tut's Tomb is a 1980 horror film directed by Philip Leacock and starring Eva Marie Saint, Harry Andrews, Raymond Burr and Tom Baker, with Paul Scofield as the narrator.

Contents

Plot

The English archaeologist Howard Carter and his financier, Lord Carnarvon discover the tomb of Tut-Ench-Amun after years of search. Unscrupulous art collector Sebastian is after the legendary sarcophagus from within the tomb. Rumors abound of a curse that befalls anyone who disturbs the grave. The Curse of the Pharaoh seems to be effective, for there ensues a series of mysterious deaths.

Cast

Production

The film was made-for-television by Columbia Pictures Television, [1] with the story based on the book Behind the Mask of Tutankhamen by Barry Wynne. [3] It is a fictionalised account of Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon's excavation of Tutankhamun's tomb, [4] with the real events embellished with various myths and legends. It was shot in Egypt and England. [2]

The English actor Ian McShane was originally cast as Carter, but had to be replaced when he was involved in a car accident prior to filming and broke his leg. [4]

Soundtrack

The score was composed by American jazz musician Gil Mellé.

Release

It was released in two-parts and aired on 8 and 9 May 1980. [4]

DVD release

A Region 2 DVD was released in 2011 by Network.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 The Curse of King Tut's Tomb. Worldcat.org. OCLC   30373019 . Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Pharaonen- und Mumienfilme" (PDF). G/Geschichte (in German). Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
    Note: source gives film's date 1976 not 1980.
  3. Wynne, Barry (1972). Behind the mask of Tutankhamen. Souvenir Press. ISBN   0285620258. OCLC   906076909.
  4. 1 2 3 This Month in Horror: May 1980