Movie Review: The Curse of King Tut’s Tomb (2006) directed by Russell Mulcahy.
Most history books leave out some details of the Pharaoh Tutankhamen’s reign. For example, they won’t tell you that King Tut was a winged superhero who fought an army of demons led by the Great Beast Set. Nor do they mention that Tut banished the demons by breaking the Emerald Tablet that allowed the creatures to enter our dimension in four parts. But adventure archaeologist Danny Fremont knows. He’s been traveling around the world gathering the tablet pieces so he can put them together and use the tablet’s powers for the good of humanity–only to have each piece stolen by Dr. Sinclair, agent of the powerful Hellfire Council. Only one piece remains to be found, and there’s only one place it can be. King Tut’s Tomb!
This movie was a Hallmark Channel two-part special. While it’s not quite the holiday card-inspired story I normally associate with Hallmark, this means a lack of gratuitous swearing, and the women keep their clothes on. Most of the film was shot in Jaipur and Mumbai, with Indian actors filling in most Egyptian roles, including all the extras. Historical accuracy is clearly not a huge concern here, so you should leave that at the door.
Danny Fremont (Casper van Dien) is obviously meant to remind us of Indiana Jones, being a swashbuckling archaeologist with a reputation as a bit of a kook. (He has books out on Atlantis, and once he’s done with King Tut’s tomb is planning to go after Noah’s Ark.) Things haven’t gone so well for him since the Hellfire Council got his teaching certification revoked and book deal trashed. (The Hellfire Council also has a secret monopoly on the cure for tuberculosis.) Even the brilliant Egyptologist Dr. Azelia Barakat, who Danny has been trying to woo onto his side, thinks he’s nuts. Also, his last few digs haven’t panned out and the workers haven’t been paid.
Dr. Sinclair (Jonathan Hyde), conversely, is far more well-spoken, dresses better, and is generally more competent than Danny at everything except finding artifacts first. This last bit gets the sinister archaeologist a lot of stick from his fellow members of the Hellfire Council, particularly their leader Sir Nathan Cairns (Malcolm McDowell). It comes as no surprise when Sinclair turns on the rest of the council as soon as he gains the power of the Emerald Tablet.
And of course a supporting cast of quirky characters, including an explosives expert nicknamed Rembrant.
A lot of story beats are utterly predictable. Of course Danny’s going to find the tomb and the fourth tablet, and get the girl. Of course Sinclair will somehow steal the tablet and summon a bunch of demons and betray anyone who ever trusted him. Of course there will be a happy ending. But the nearly three hour run time helps make the film seem leisurely. (And there are a couple of flash-forwards to remind us that CGI bits are coming.) The pace picks up considerably in the last half hour as most of the cast departs the film.
Content issues: There’s a fair amount of violence, both magical and semi-realistic. There’s a head-under-water torture scene. The depiction of mental illness is dubious at best. Danny’s romantic pursuit of Azelia leads to a couple of uncomfortable scenes, especially after he learns she’s engaged to another man. One aspect of the happy ending could come across as a bit racist.
The first hour or so is probably the weakest while the movie sets up all the characters and situations.
Overall, this is a pleasant afternoon’s viewing if you can access it free or as a package with a bunch of other movies.
