La sfinge d'oro

A spectacular aventure and romance movie shot in Egypt with two big name actors , Robert Taylor and Anita Ekberg . So-so but breathtaking at times, dealing with old Egypt , ancient discoveries , mysterious tombs , Pharaons and anything else . As an expert archeologist called Prof. Karl Nichols : Robert Taylor , is searching for old tomb of Pharaoh Aposis when he hires gorgeous Paulette : Anita Ekberg , as they have to find clues that provide solid evidences of a fabulous legend : The Glass Sphinx , while his theory is rightfully ridiculed by the Egyptians. The film opens with an attempt on Karl's life by people we later find out are working with Alex : Ángel del Pozo , though he does seem a little upset when Karl and Paulette began making goo-goo eyes at each other. Karl is a millionaire who search for the tomb of a pharaoh who was rumored to have a secret elixir of life inspires violence and betrayal. The archeologist would like to prove that this legend is , in fact, true . All of them embark on a risked travel a encounter the valuable treasure.

A Italy/Spain co-production filmed on location in Egypt, as the natural backdrop is riveting and look mighty hot and to add refreshing touches of action to those parched desert sands . This is the standard bare bones pyramid potboiler with plenty of thrills , treason , attacks , double-crosses , and killings . The plot is simply a variation of ¨Valley of Kings¨ (1954) director: Robert Pirosh starred by Robert Taylor himself and Eleanor Parker, adding fantastic elements and cheaper European facilities. It's plotted to maximize confusion, a messy script that takes every opportunity to work in an action sequence , mostly fistfights shot with some shaky camerawork and with a peculiar plot starred by an archeologist called Karl who is after the Glass Sphinx which he believes contains the Elixir of Life which would have allowed the pharaohs to live hundreds of years . It almost feels like one of those James Bond ripoffs or imitations from Italy that were so common at the time, only minus the attractiveness . It turns out to be a workmanlike and sometimes thrilling flick that just lacks the surges of real excitement that might have turned into an adventure classy . An amazing , timely and thrilling story very well set in Egypt about an archaeologist is in danger because of his discoveries. On the whole this Crystal Sphinx results to be an average movie , but enteratining enough . It contains a twisted intrigue about an adventurer archeologist and a mysterious , suspicious woman to find the tomb of a Pharaoh , both of them undertake a dangerous journey through pyramids , deserts , the busy Cairo , and underground vaults plenty of tombs. Two top-boxoffice players , Robert Taylor and Anita Ekberg, the latter proves to be a cool beauty. They are finely accompanied by a nice plethora of secondary actors , as Spanish : Angel del Pozo , José Truchado, as Italian ones : Giacomo Rossi Stuart as Jack Stuart , Gianna Serra and usual master of arms : Remo de Angelis .

Rousing and evocative musical musical score by Roberto Pregadio who scores it all with a repetitive soundtrack that makes every scene feel the same. That's why composer Les Baxter was sent in 1967 to Rome by American International Pictures to score again for the American premiere . It contains a colorful and evocative cinematography in Eastmancolor by Félix Mirón, along with marvelous production design . Shot in Egypt and showing real monuments and pyramids , including wide sightseeing . Other locations include Great pyramids Giza , Keops , Kefren , Mizerinos and pyramid of Zoser , Cairo , Luxor , Canal Suez Egypt . The motion picture was regularly but professionally directed by Luigi Scattini , though it has some flaws , failures and gaps .Scattini was a cftsman who wrote and directed a few films , such as : War Italian style (1965) , Duello nel mondo (1966) , Blue Nude (1978), Solo quando deseo (1977) and Il Corpo(1974).