16 reviews
"The Mummy Lives" is an utterly worthless horror film that is so bad that I almost turned it off after 20 minutes of its projection time.Usually remarkable actor Tony Curtis is completely wasted as Aziru,an Egyptian high priest of the god Zoth,who come back to life as the mummy.He is looking for his long-lost love named Kia and swearing vengeance on the archaeologists,who excavated his tomb."The Mummy Lives" is a total waste of time.The plot is hackneyed and highly unoriginal and the acting is painfully bad.This is also one of the most annoyingly dull horror films I have suffered through.The action moves at snail's pace and there is absolutely no tension.Avoid this crappy howler like the plague.2 out of 10.
- HumanoidOfFlesh
- Dec 31, 2005
- Permalink
oh,my word.i don't know what i just witnessed,but i know it wasn't good.this is not a good movie,at all.i'm not sure if i've ever been this bored in my life.it's supposed to be horror movie of sorts.the only problem is,they forgot to put in anything that would be scary.it's also done on the cheap,and looks it.the dialogue gives new meaning to the word abysmal.this thing may have been 95 minutes long,but it might as well have been 95 days,that's how slow it was.Tony Curtis plays a prominent role,but looks out of place in this movie.the only saving grace(if there is in one)is the actress who played the lead female character.she was more convincing than anyone else was.for that,i'll give The Mummy Lives a 2/10.
- disdressed12
- Dec 12, 2007
- Permalink
Evidently thanks to Israeli model turned starlet turned casting director Cheli Goldenberg, a team of some of Israel's top character actors turns up for the minor, otherwise uninteresting roles in this movie. Unfortunately, the movie was abandoned by its originally intended star and director and its budget seems to have disappeared along with them. There seems to have been insufficient shooting time, to judge from the long, cheap, unnecessary opening and the abrupt conclusion. The plot is a fairly standard creaker that could have come out of H. Rider Haggard, but with one interesting twist behind Tony Curtis's character: He is tried and convicted for disrespect of the gods, but he takes his medicine and emerges thousands of years later as their defender.
I can only agree with most of the negative reviews on many levels, however I found it strangely compelling for all the wrong reasons.
There were elements I enjoyed, but after reading one reviewer state with apparent seriousness, that this film is superior to the Hammer Classic in 1959, that in itself is probably one of the greatest pieces of comedy I have read in years.
Tony Curtis was totally miscast, comparing his casting to the casting of Christopher Lee is plainly ludicrous.
Christopher Lee was often cast as Foreigners due to his imposing height and darker looks, especially in Swashbuckling roles before he achieved fame in the Hammer Horror films.
Tony Curtis looks like an Italian Restaurant owner at a fancy dress party, but don't get me wrong because I normally like him in most films.
In the Hammer Classic, Christopher Lee was able to add pathos to the character with astonishing effectiveness, just with skilfull use of his eyes.
He was able to project the eternal sadness of a man who died for his love, he wasn't just some lumbering soulless monster.
The only advantage this movie has over the Hammer Classic are the location shots, but describing the sets of the Hammer film as 'lame' shows no appreciation for the Excellent job done by the Hammer team or Art direction.
With low budgets, Hammer did wonders with set design, cinematography atmosphere , music and a stable of actors that The Mummy Lives could have benefited from.
The Mummy Lives can't even hold a candle to the Hammer Mummy sequels, let alone the Universal movies.
However I found it strangely watchable and enjoyable in a B-Movie way.
It has its moments and with better casting, direction and music, could have actually been quite memorable.
There were elements I enjoyed, but after reading one reviewer state with apparent seriousness, that this film is superior to the Hammer Classic in 1959, that in itself is probably one of the greatest pieces of comedy I have read in years.
Tony Curtis was totally miscast, comparing his casting to the casting of Christopher Lee is plainly ludicrous.
Christopher Lee was often cast as Foreigners due to his imposing height and darker looks, especially in Swashbuckling roles before he achieved fame in the Hammer Horror films.
Tony Curtis looks like an Italian Restaurant owner at a fancy dress party, but don't get me wrong because I normally like him in most films.
In the Hammer Classic, Christopher Lee was able to add pathos to the character with astonishing effectiveness, just with skilfull use of his eyes.
He was able to project the eternal sadness of a man who died for his love, he wasn't just some lumbering soulless monster.
The only advantage this movie has over the Hammer Classic are the location shots, but describing the sets of the Hammer film as 'lame' shows no appreciation for the Excellent job done by the Hammer team or Art direction.
With low budgets, Hammer did wonders with set design, cinematography atmosphere , music and a stable of actors that The Mummy Lives could have benefited from.
The Mummy Lives can't even hold a candle to the Hammer Mummy sequels, let alone the Universal movies.
However I found it strangely watchable and enjoyable in a B-Movie way.
It has its moments and with better casting, direction and music, could have actually been quite memorable.
- bdarren-00440
- Aug 28, 2021
- Permalink
- lorddrewsus
- Oct 19, 2018
- Permalink
Well, one of the very worst. At least this movie has no aliens. That the only good thing I can say about it! I do love "bad mummy" movies, but this is at the bottom of my list (excluding those with aliens, which I refuse to recognize!). Tony Curtis tried to out-do Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra, as far as his make-up went! The acting was bad. The writing was bad. The plot was dreadful. The costumes were ... tolerable. The history and accuracy were .... bad. Actually I'd rather give it a negative number of stars.
- blumdeluxe
- Jun 6, 2019
- Permalink
Because first impressions aren't doing this film any favours.
Completely ignoring the cheesily bad acting...I'm not sure what I should be more concerned about: the fact that they are worshiping Anubis as Zeus in Egypt; that they are pronouncing Zeus, Zoss?... Zoth, perhaps?; or Tony Curtis'; attempt to channel his inner William Shatner.
Cause all of the above is cringeworthy.
But there is just something about it...that makes you WANT to like it.
The concept is pretty cool, for example.
After a divorce, a woman is drawn to Egypt- particularly Luxor- where she links up with a psychiatrist and oddly informative Egyptologist- who is actually her reincarnated lover, in the body of Tony Curtis.
She has come to watch his tomb being unearthed.
An event which marks the 3300th year the two lovers have been apart...since being murdered by the ruling class.
In doing so, they find his mummy, and awaken it's curse.
So, obviously they all start to die...while the mummy tunnels on the young divorcee as the love he died to honour all those years ago.
Now, the only thing that can save her from falling an existence based on this alternate reality is the psychiatrist that has been trying to woo her.
The whole thing paints the mummy with the allure of a vampire.
Which is cool.
The settings, scenery, locations, props, costumes and mise-en-scene are all awesome.
That is certainly what draws you into the film the most.
But despite that- and having a solid concept at it's base- the lacking execution simply hinders the whole experience.
The acting department is mostly to blame.
As I noted earlier, it honestly seems like they told Curtis to do it as Shatner?!
Personally, I don't think it is as bad as the rating here reflects.
But it's not quite cheesy enough to be good cheesy, either.
4.5 out of 10.
Completely ignoring the cheesily bad acting...I'm not sure what I should be more concerned about: the fact that they are worshiping Anubis as Zeus in Egypt; that they are pronouncing Zeus, Zoss?... Zoth, perhaps?; or Tony Curtis'; attempt to channel his inner William Shatner.
Cause all of the above is cringeworthy.
But there is just something about it...that makes you WANT to like it.
The concept is pretty cool, for example.
After a divorce, a woman is drawn to Egypt- particularly Luxor- where she links up with a psychiatrist and oddly informative Egyptologist- who is actually her reincarnated lover, in the body of Tony Curtis.
She has come to watch his tomb being unearthed.
An event which marks the 3300th year the two lovers have been apart...since being murdered by the ruling class.
In doing so, they find his mummy, and awaken it's curse.
So, obviously they all start to die...while the mummy tunnels on the young divorcee as the love he died to honour all those years ago.
Now, the only thing that can save her from falling an existence based on this alternate reality is the psychiatrist that has been trying to woo her.
The whole thing paints the mummy with the allure of a vampire.
Which is cool.
The settings, scenery, locations, props, costumes and mise-en-scene are all awesome.
That is certainly what draws you into the film the most.
But despite that- and having a solid concept at it's base- the lacking execution simply hinders the whole experience.
The acting department is mostly to blame.
As I noted earlier, it honestly seems like they told Curtis to do it as Shatner?!
Personally, I don't think it is as bad as the rating here reflects.
But it's not quite cheesy enough to be good cheesy, either.
4.5 out of 10.
- meddlecore
- Aug 18, 2022
- Permalink
- BandSAboutMovies
- Aug 9, 2022
- Permalink
THE MUMMY LIVES certainly isn't the biggest budgeted or best mummy flick ever made, but it's far from a waste of one's time and it's actually quite fun. I had a wonderful time watching it. You just have to know what you are getting yourself into: This is a very low budget old fashioned PG-13 mummy flick with a very out of place Tony Curtis. Curtis is completely miscast, but he plays his role with such terrific panache it's a joy to behold. You just have to be willing to accept this weird little low budget flick on its own terms. Just sit back and enjoy the modestly budgeted spectacle of ancient ruins, magic rituals, snakes, nightmares, mummies, forbidden love, murders, and blood. It's all very cheap yet charming, and its flaws are all part of its appeal. THE MUMMY LIVES is a low budget affair,but it delivers good fun and is a nice way to spend time on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
- classix_fan
- Oct 4, 2014
- Permalink
It's definitely lacking, with the costumes, lighting and acting. Nediocre direction, and Tony Curtis is definitely miscast.
However, had they been given a better script, and bigger budget, it could have actually been something really good.
Since I'm only familiar with the first Boris Karloff movie, as well as the newer series of course, I'm not quite sure how the Mummy movies work.
But I found it really interesting that the girl who the Mummy's after keeps getting these dreams and hallucinations as if she were mad.
It's a horrible film. It has plenty of potential. However, the fact that it's untapped makes it seem worse than it really is.
However, had they been given a better script, and bigger budget, it could have actually been something really good.
Since I'm only familiar with the first Boris Karloff movie, as well as the newer series of course, I'm not quite sure how the Mummy movies work.
But I found it really interesting that the girl who the Mummy's after keeps getting these dreams and hallucinations as if she were mad.
It's a horrible film. It has plenty of potential. However, the fact that it's untapped makes it seem worse than it really is.
I had first seen this movie with my fiancé long after the movie had come out. I watched the movie with him. He had told me the movie was quite good and interesting. He had filled me on what I had missed. I sat through the remained of the movie with all interest. The storyline was excellent and the scenery was exquisite in the movie. Tony Curtis was phenomenal in the move as the mummy, looking for his long lost love in woman who was having dreams of the ancient past. Since I first saw the movie I have seen it an additional two times.
In my honest opinion, this movie is worth seeing. It was inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's story "Words With A Mummy". I now own the movie to be amongst my personal movie library. If I felt for any reason the move didn't deserve such an honor with me, I wouldn't have purchased it.
By watching this movie a total of three times, I would recommend anyone who is an avid fan of Tony Curtis and Edgar Allen Poe, to see this movie.
In my honest opinion, this movie is worth seeing. It was inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's story "Words With A Mummy". I now own the movie to be amongst my personal movie library. If I felt for any reason the move didn't deserve such an honor with me, I wouldn't have purchased it.
By watching this movie a total of three times, I would recommend anyone who is an avid fan of Tony Curtis and Edgar Allen Poe, to see this movie.
- NightwolfSeaman
- Aug 25, 2006
- Permalink
"The Mummy Lives" is an American direct-to-video flick from 1993 starring Tony Curtis in the titular role when he was 67 years-old. The plot's typical to older mummy movies: Forbidden love in the ancient Egyptian world results in the guilty guy getting entombed alive, usually with the object of his desire. In the modern day the tomb is desecrated by archaeologists and the mummy seeks vengeance. The refreshing twist here is that when Curtis' character is resurrected he looks like his normal self, at least his face anyway; his hands look like death itself. Leslie Hardy plays a woman interested in Egyptology and she may be the mummy's beloved, Kia, reincarnated. Greg Wrangler plays a psychologist who takes interest in her.
This is a drama/mystery with light horror elements so don't expect heavy gore and scares. While it's clearly low-budget, it has numerous strengths, particularly the basic fish-out-of-water plot with the ancient mummy becoming a pretty interesting character in the modern world. I'm not sure how he knows how to speak English though, but I assume the god he prays to gives him the knowledge/power.
In any case, the Mummy's offended by the desecrations of Egyptian crypts and points out the obvious: How can archaeologists justify desecrating burial sites? How much time has to go by for such activity to be deemed acceptable in the name of research and science? The Mummy also makes a great point to the woman: The modern world is science-oriented, but passionless; and without passion there is no life. While the Mummy is a somewhat fascinating character and you find yourself rooting for him, the ending drops the ball. I don't want to say too much, but the Mummy essentially becomes the hero in the film and the filmmakers contradict this by insisting on tacking-on a more conventional horror ending. The film was unique as it was so they should've just gone all the way, if you know what I mean. I wish they had the courage to do this because it could've been a great or near-great independent movie.
Still, there's enough good here to recommend it to fans of unique independent movies (however, if you're addicted to a strict Hollywood "blockbuster" diet, flee as fast as you can). For one, the three main characters are effective and, like I said, the Mummy is an interesting character and you'll find yourself rooting for his cause. Although Hardy is too thin for my tastes, she's a likable and worthy protagonist; and Wrangler is an excellent masculine co-star. Secondly, you can't beat the authentic Egyptian locations. Compare this with Hammer's "The Mummy" (1959), which was shot entirely in England with lame "Egyptian" sets. Speaking of which, people criticize Tony Curtis for being miscast in this movie and yet Christopher Lee played the same character in the Hammer film and no one seems to criticize him as being miscast, not to mention that film is regarded fairly well while this one is typically lambasted, which is odd because -- low-budget or not -- this is the better film. Thirdly, the score is diversified and all-around excellent.
The film runs 97 minutes and was shot in Egypt and Israel.
GRADE: C+ or B- (keeping in mind that it's a low-budget direct-to-video flick)
This is a drama/mystery with light horror elements so don't expect heavy gore and scares. While it's clearly low-budget, it has numerous strengths, particularly the basic fish-out-of-water plot with the ancient mummy becoming a pretty interesting character in the modern world. I'm not sure how he knows how to speak English though, but I assume the god he prays to gives him the knowledge/power.
In any case, the Mummy's offended by the desecrations of Egyptian crypts and points out the obvious: How can archaeologists justify desecrating burial sites? How much time has to go by for such activity to be deemed acceptable in the name of research and science? The Mummy also makes a great point to the woman: The modern world is science-oriented, but passionless; and without passion there is no life. While the Mummy is a somewhat fascinating character and you find yourself rooting for him, the ending drops the ball. I don't want to say too much, but the Mummy essentially becomes the hero in the film and the filmmakers contradict this by insisting on tacking-on a more conventional horror ending. The film was unique as it was so they should've just gone all the way, if you know what I mean. I wish they had the courage to do this because it could've been a great or near-great independent movie.
Still, there's enough good here to recommend it to fans of unique independent movies (however, if you're addicted to a strict Hollywood "blockbuster" diet, flee as fast as you can). For one, the three main characters are effective and, like I said, the Mummy is an interesting character and you'll find yourself rooting for his cause. Although Hardy is too thin for my tastes, she's a likable and worthy protagonist; and Wrangler is an excellent masculine co-star. Secondly, you can't beat the authentic Egyptian locations. Compare this with Hammer's "The Mummy" (1959), which was shot entirely in England with lame "Egyptian" sets. Speaking of which, people criticize Tony Curtis for being miscast in this movie and yet Christopher Lee played the same character in the Hammer film and no one seems to criticize him as being miscast, not to mention that film is regarded fairly well while this one is typically lambasted, which is odd because -- low-budget or not -- this is the better film. Thirdly, the score is diversified and all-around excellent.
The film runs 97 minutes and was shot in Egypt and Israel.
GRADE: C+ or B- (keeping in mind that it's a low-budget direct-to-video flick)
- Movie Nuttball
- Dec 16, 2002
- Permalink
It's interesting to me so many reviewers rated this movie low because of the storyline, considering there were plenty of positive reviews on 1999s The Mummy with Racheal Weisz. It is practically a carbon copy of this film. The similarities between these two movies is striking. It is so obvious The Mummy "borrowed" quite a bit of the storyline and characters, from this movie.
Anyone that is reviewing this as "the most boring horror movie I've ever seen", obviously hasn't seen mant movies lol.
The costume design is awesomely terrible lol! Men wearing what look like bedsheets with a rope tied around the their waste while doning oversized Anubus heads, is something everyone that loves a good bad movie has to see lol. I mean, come on, thats some amazing stuff right there hahaha.
For those of us that appreciate film and find something we like in 99% of what we see, this is a must for B horror movie lovers out there. It is so bad it's good lol. If the writing inspired the storytellers of one of the most popular films in history, id say the writing isn't nearly as bad as some of these reviewers suggest.
It's kept me laughing the whole way thru lol. Despite the fact that it would've never been an contender for the "best movie of the wear" award, I throughly enjoyed this movie.
Sorry all the elitist hater movie reviewers, this is far from the worst time you'll ever have seeing a movie. It may be a film only a select few can appreciate, it brought me joy. Thats what art is all about, isnt it? Enjoyment. Film gives us the ability to be swept away to a far off place away from our troubles, this film qualifies as such for me. Maybe said joy wasn't the intended reaction lol, but it definitely did that for me. I couldn't stop watching it. Waiting to see how many similarities I could find and the always awesome, incredibly bad costumes the B movies we love usually have...what else can you ask of a film?
All these decades later, this film accomplished something grand. To be considered the best by critics, even if it was of the worst lol.
Ill say this...if you are a true lover of cinema in ALL its forms, you will probably enjoy this movie. If you are looking for exciting action scenes, tight skimpy costumes, oscar award winning writing or amazing special effects...this is not the movie for you.
Thanks for taking the time to read my review. Take care of yourself, Be safe, and Show grace to the people around you, especially those you feel arent deserving of it! Xoxo.
Anyone that is reviewing this as "the most boring horror movie I've ever seen", obviously hasn't seen mant movies lol.
The costume design is awesomely terrible lol! Men wearing what look like bedsheets with a rope tied around the their waste while doning oversized Anubus heads, is something everyone that loves a good bad movie has to see lol. I mean, come on, thats some amazing stuff right there hahaha.
For those of us that appreciate film and find something we like in 99% of what we see, this is a must for B horror movie lovers out there. It is so bad it's good lol. If the writing inspired the storytellers of one of the most popular films in history, id say the writing isn't nearly as bad as some of these reviewers suggest.
It's kept me laughing the whole way thru lol. Despite the fact that it would've never been an contender for the "best movie of the wear" award, I throughly enjoyed this movie.
Sorry all the elitist hater movie reviewers, this is far from the worst time you'll ever have seeing a movie. It may be a film only a select few can appreciate, it brought me joy. Thats what art is all about, isnt it? Enjoyment. Film gives us the ability to be swept away to a far off place away from our troubles, this film qualifies as such for me. Maybe said joy wasn't the intended reaction lol, but it definitely did that for me. I couldn't stop watching it. Waiting to see how many similarities I could find and the always awesome, incredibly bad costumes the B movies we love usually have...what else can you ask of a film?
All these decades later, this film accomplished something grand. To be considered the best by critics, even if it was of the worst lol.
Ill say this...if you are a true lover of cinema in ALL its forms, you will probably enjoy this movie. If you are looking for exciting action scenes, tight skimpy costumes, oscar award winning writing or amazing special effects...this is not the movie for you.
Thanks for taking the time to read my review. Take care of yourself, Be safe, and Show grace to the people around you, especially those you feel arent deserving of it! Xoxo.
- Emerald52383
- Nov 12, 2024
- Permalink
THE MUMMY LIVES is -very loosely- based on a story by Edgar Allan Poe. It opens with an interminably long lesson in astrology that really has nothing to do with the actual movie. Next, we join an archaeological dig in Egypt, where an ancient tomb is uncovered.
Meanwhile, in Cairo, we are introduced to Sandra Barnes (Leslie Hardy). Annoying voiveover narration tells us her every thought. When she falls asleep, we're taken into her dreams of Ancient Egypt, where we're subjected to Tony Curtis as a Pharaoh (!!).
Meanwhile, back at the tomb, imbeciles -including a British zillionaire who says "By Jove!" a lot- break in, and the horror begins. Sort of.
If you've seen any of the mummy movies starting from the original 1932 classic, then you'll pretty much know the entire plot of this one from the beginning:
Forbidden love leads to death and a curse, which comes to fruition in modern times.
The only thing added to this basic outline is absurdity, bad acting, and ultra-melodramatic dialogue. Luckily for us, Mr. Curtis' character gets a central role, and gets to pontificate and spout tons of mumbo jumbo. Sometimes, he even slips into his glorious "Cary Grant" voice from SOME LIKE IT HOT! His death scene is beyond hilarious!
Extra Points For: The bonkers voice of the angry Egyptian deity!
A true gut-buster from start to finish! Prepare the intoxicants, gather your fellow cheeeze-lovers, and get ready to laugh yourself sick!...
Meanwhile, in Cairo, we are introduced to Sandra Barnes (Leslie Hardy). Annoying voiveover narration tells us her every thought. When she falls asleep, we're taken into her dreams of Ancient Egypt, where we're subjected to Tony Curtis as a Pharaoh (!!).
Meanwhile, back at the tomb, imbeciles -including a British zillionaire who says "By Jove!" a lot- break in, and the horror begins. Sort of.
If you've seen any of the mummy movies starting from the original 1932 classic, then you'll pretty much know the entire plot of this one from the beginning:
Forbidden love leads to death and a curse, which comes to fruition in modern times.
The only thing added to this basic outline is absurdity, bad acting, and ultra-melodramatic dialogue. Luckily for us, Mr. Curtis' character gets a central role, and gets to pontificate and spout tons of mumbo jumbo. Sometimes, he even slips into his glorious "Cary Grant" voice from SOME LIKE IT HOT! His death scene is beyond hilarious!
Extra Points For: The bonkers voice of the angry Egyptian deity!
A true gut-buster from start to finish! Prepare the intoxicants, gather your fellow cheeeze-lovers, and get ready to laugh yourself sick!...
- azathothpwiggins
- Oct 27, 2024
- Permalink