Welcome!  Home 
 Contact Us 

Ancient World Of Mummies
  1.  Introduction 
  2.  Why Mummify 
  3.  Mummification 
  4.  Ancient Beliefs of Mummification 
Science over Tradition
  1.  Introduction 
  2.  Solving Mysterys with X-ray 
  3.  Modern Body Embalming 
  4.  Mummies of the Future 
Mummies In Action
  1.  Introduction 
  2.  Movies 
  3.  Arts and Ethnics 
 Forum  
 Bibliography  
Search the web!
See what's new and hot on the net

    hits since
  1 April 2003 		Click here to visit the newest and hottest sites on the net

Movie: The Mummy

Year of publication: 1999

Director: Stephen Sommers

Main cast: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, Arnold Vosloo, John Hannah, Oded Fehr...

Storyline: This action-packed movie takes a set in Egypt and the story starts when Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) was buried with flesh-eating scarab as a punishment (Hum-Di) for meddling with Anck Su Namun, the pharaoh's girlfriend. After a few thousand years, egyptologist and librarian Evelyn Carnahan (Rachel Weisz) discovers a map to the lost city of Hamunaptra, the place where Imhotep was buried.

With the help of rogue, Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser), who has been to the lost city before, Evelyn and her brother, Jonathan (John Hannah) reaches the city of Hamunaptra, along with some other natives and friends who want to get a piece of the treasure. Unfortunately, when Evelyn reads the Book Of The Dead, the evil Imhotep resurrects and releases unforeseen disaster, of which includes plagues and human sacrifice. One by one, the treasure-hunters fall into the trap of Imhotep, who wants to resurrect Anck Su Namun by using Evelyn as a sacrifice.

Together with warrior, Ardeth Bay (Oded Fehr), Rick, determined to stop this mayhem, protects Evelyn at all costs. Eventually, through a series of intensive battles of power and wit, Imhotep's soul is sent back to the Underworld, making him no longer an immortal. One final stab, and Imhotep is gone forever.



Portrayal of mummies: Because of the intensive use of computer animated special effects many mummies are brought to life. This is definitely illogical. In the case of Imhotep, the ability to regenerate and become an immortal is totally unknown but it is mostly not believed to exist in this world.

The minions of Imhotep are also significant. Being able to fight and defend their masters is impossible. Furthermore, there were no mummies that will come alive to protect their masters in real life. Generally, in this movie, the mummies are depicted as protectors of their masters and having the ability to regenerate or revive. Such amazing feats could have been used to attract moviegoers.

The mummies here are all bad guys but why must it be this way? Is it because mummies are associated with death or is it because these mummies are seen as creatures that are not supposed to be alive?



Review by LCA critic:

This is one of the best movies that I have ever seen. It does not deserve a five star because sometimes the storyline can stray a lot and that makes it boring but when the fighting starts and with the special computer animated effects, this movie makes a good four-pointer.

The setting is also very special and it captures my attention. Because of the majestic pyramids, desert and the lost city of Hamunaptra, it adds to the plot of the story. I learnt a lot about ancient Egyptian beliefs and culture especially about kings.

I would encourage those who would like a good action movie rather than a horror and also those who like to learn about ancient Egypt. Thank you Stephen Sommers, for making this a wonderful movie experience.

Back