When it comes to Mummy films, there is no film quite like Blood From The Mummy’s Tomb from Hammer. There is no other Mummy film like it and not even other bigger budget versions of the story (The Awakening and Bram Stoker’s The Mummy) come close to the quality of this hammer horror.
This lovely little Hammer film was the last work of director Seth Holt until he passed away during production with Michael Carreras co-directing the end. The film is loosely based on Bram Stoker’s novel, “Jewel of the Seven Stars “. Our story begins with our stunning leading lady/Margaret Fuchs (Valorie Leon) in bed, chest heaving; in the midst of a fitful dream. Her night vision takes place in an ancient Egyptian tomb. In her dream an identical woman (Egyptian queen Tera) lays on a “marble” slab; adorned in golden bejeweled headdress and collar. Ancient Egyptian men surround and perform some sort of ancient ritual over the body. They drip black liquid into her nasal cavity and commence to amputate one of her hands and feed it to a pack of jackals.
The wild beasts tear it up as the men cover the sarcophagus and walk in a line out of the tomb. Something resembling a sand storm slashes their throats with the swiftness of a whip and they all (men and dogs) fall dead. The severed hand is seen independently crawling through the desert sand still wearing a large orange cocktail ring that resembles a ring pop candy from childhood. Soon after awakening from this ominous dream we are introduced to her Love interest, Todd Browning! (Mark Edwards of Tower of Evil) and Egyptologist father Professor Fuchs (Andrew Keir). A meaningful gift is given (yep that ring) and sudden illness help thicken the plot. The story continues; revealing many selfish desires, blood is shed , ancient curses and lifelong conspiracies are brought to light; entertaining while visually entrancing the audience.
Blood From The Mummy’s Tomb is one of the last truly solid Hammer horror films. It’s intriguing and stylish and dares to do a mummy film in a new way. I’m not gonna lie, I think I want all my mummys smoking hot from now on. This film keeps you going until the end. For a different kind of mummy film, watch Blood From The Mummy’s Tomb (or as like to call it The Girl With The Cursed Ring Pop). Blood From The Mummy’s Tomb is playing at The Quad Cinema in a new 2K restoration. See link below for show times.
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