Land of the Pharaohs

Released Jun 24, 1955

1h 46m

History

Drama

List

80%

Tomatometer

10 Reviews

44%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

Obsessed with his fate in the afterlife, the egotistical Pharaoh Khufu (Jack Hawkins) recruits oppressed architect Vashtar (James Robertson Justice) and forces him to design the most lavish and well-secured pyramid ever built. Vashtar struggles to meet Khufu's lofty expectations, knowing that, if he does so, the ruler will release his enslaved brethren from bondage. As construction begins, Khufu's new wife, Princess Nellifer (Joan Collins), plots to secure her own piece of the tyrant's riches.

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Variety Staff

Variety

When the viewing senses begin to dull from the tremendous load of spectacle, the script and Hawks' direction wisely switch to sex and intrigue.

May 13, 2008

Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Fairly awesome if you can get beyond the clunky dialogue.

Jun 16, 2007

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

It sports that proverbial cast of thousands (close to 10,000) to lend it majesty and authenticity, and its sets are simply breathtaking. That’s not to say the movie is a roaring success.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 23, 2023

Full Review

Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

William Faulkner shared in writing this better-than-average widescreen spectacle drama, with ancient Egypt as its locale.

Oct 17, 2019

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Michael E. Grost

Classic Film and Television

Intelligent epic mixes spectacle and social commentary.

Aug 22, 2014

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Hawks forgoes any of those monstrous epic battle scenes, but as always most of his characters are made of shades of gray, which makes for fascinating confrontations throughout.

May 30, 2008

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Alec B

The movie is definitely underrated (it is mercifully short for an epic and despite its reputation, this isn't all that campy) and probably deserves more respect than a lot of other similar films from this era.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/24

Full Review

stevie68a

An epic film with a cast of thousands. A clever plot about building a thief proof pyramid, with a twist ending. One reason it lost money, was that it was banned in Egypt. It's now considered a cult film, and I agree.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/24

Full Review

Russ

Passable big budget costume epic starring beefcake Jack Hawkins and cheesecake Joan Collins in a screenplay amplifying the popular mythology of ancient Egypt. Howard Hawks didn't direct this film so much as he marshaled an army of extras, two of whom croaked in the heat of the desert location. One presumes that a few years later Liz Taylor was out to better her rival's portrayal of an Egyptian queen in a fashion that brought her studio to the brink of bankruptcy. An OK way to fritter away a rainy afternoon. Give it a couple of stars for the sets and wide screen color cinematography but none for historical accuracy. As Hollywood script writers were always quick to say: "Never let the truth get in the way of a good story!"

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/22/23

Full Review

CodyZamboni

Watchable old school Hollywood epic. Most memorable are the eye filling scenes of thousands of extras, populating gigantic full size lavish sets on location in Egypt, stunningly captured in Cinemascope. Movie is staggering by a sheer logistical standpoint. Kudos to Howard Hawks and his team. Other notable standouts are the fascinating details of building a pyramid, both interior and exterior, and the trashy scheming of Joan Collins

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The movie is definitely underrated (it is mercifully short for an epic and despite its reputation, this isn't all that campy) and probably deserves more respect than a lot of other similar films from this era.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Epic movie, 9787 extras were used. Filmed in Egypt and Rome

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

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Howard Hawks

Director

Jack Hawkins

Pharaoh Khufu

Joan Collins

Princess Nellifer

Dewey Martin

Senta

James Robertson Justice

Vashtar

Alex Minotis

Hamar

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Synopsis

Obsessed with his fate in the afterlife, the egotistical Pharaoh Khufu (Jack Hawkins) recruits oppressed architect Vashtar (James Robertson Justice) and forces him to design the most lavish and well-secured pyramid ever built. Vashtar struggles to meet Khufu's lofty expectations, knowing that, if he does so, the ruler will release his enslaved brethren from bondage. As construction begins, Khufu's new wife, Princess Nellifer (Joan Collins), plots to secure her own piece of the tyrant's riches.

Director: Howard Hawks
Screenwriter: William Faulkner, Harry Kurnitz, Harold Jack Bloom
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Bros., Continental Company Ltd.
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 24, 1955, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Runtime: 1h 46m

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