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Land of the Pharaohs

Play trailer Poster for Land of the Pharaohs 1955 1h 46m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 9 Reviews 44% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Obsessed with his fate in the afterlife, the egotistical Pharaoh Khufu (Jack Hawkins) recruits oppressed architect Vashtar (James Robertson Justice) and forces him to design the most lavish and well-secured pyramid ever built. Vashtar struggles to meet Khufu's lofty expectations, knowing that, if he does so, the ruler will release his enslaved brethren from bondage. As construction begins, Khufu's new wife, Princess Nellifer (Joan Collins), plots to secure her own piece of the tyrant's riches.
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Land of the Pharaohs

Critics Reviews

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Variety Staff Variety May 13, 2008
When the viewing senses begin to dull from the tremendous load of spectacle, the script and Hawks' direction wisely switch to sex and intrigue. Go to Full Review Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Jun 16, 2007
Fairly awesome if you can get beyond the clunky dialogue. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Jul 23, 2023
2.5/4
It sports that proverbial cast of thousands (close to 10,000) to lend it majesty and authenticity, and its sets are simply breathtaking. That’s not to say the movie is a roaring success. Go to Full Review Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine Oct 17, 2019
William Faulkner shared in writing this better-than-average widescreen spectacle drama, with ancient Egypt as its locale. Go to Full Review Michael E. Grost Classic Film and Television Aug 22, 2014
Intelligent epic mixes spectacle and social commentary. Go to Full Review Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid May 30, 2008
Hawks forgoes any of those monstrous epic battle scenes, but as always most of his characters are made of shades of gray, which makes for fascinating confrontations throughout. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alec B @Alec97 Feb 21, 2024 The movie is definitely underrated (it is mercifully short for an epic and despite its reputation, this isn't all that campy) and probably deserves more respect than a lot of other similar films from this era. See more stevie68a @RT15696487 Jan 25, 2024 An epic film with a cast of thousands. A clever plot about building a thief proof pyramid, with a twist ending. One reason it lost money, was that it was banned in Egypt. It's now considered a cult film, and I agree. See more Russ @RT78760655 Apr 22, 2023 Passable big budget costume epic starring beefcake Jack Hawkins and cheesecake Joan Collins in a screenplay amplifying the popular mythology of ancient Egypt. Howard Hawks didn't direct this film so much as he marshaled an army of extras, two of whom croaked in the heat of the desert location. One presumes that a few years later Liz Taylor was out to better her rival's portrayal of an Egyptian queen in a fashion that brought her studio to the brink of bankruptcy. An OK way to fritter away a rainy afternoon. Give it a couple of stars for the sets and wide screen color cinematography but none for historical accuracy. As Hollywood script writers were always quick to say: "Never let the truth get in the way of a good story!" See more CodyZamboni @CodyZamboni Apr 16, 2023 Watchable old school Hollywood epic. Most memorable are the eye filling scenes of thousands of extras, populating gigantic full size lavish sets on location in Egypt, stunningly captured in Cinemascope. Movie is staggering by a sheer logistical standpoint. Kudos to Howard Hawks and his team. Other notable standouts are the fascinating details of building a pyramid, both interior and exterior, and the trashy scheming of Joan Collins See more Jun 7, 2022 The movie is definitely underrated (it is mercifully short for an epic and despite its reputation, this isn't all that campy) and probably deserves more respect than a lot of other similar films from this era. See more Mar 22, 2020 Epic movie, 9787 extras were used. Filmed in Egypt and Rome See more Read all reviews
Land of the Pharaohs

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Cast & Crew

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Howard Hawks

Director

Jack Hawkins

Pharaoh Khufu

Joan Collins

Princess Nellifer

Dewey Martin

Senta

James Robertson Justice

Vashtar

Alex Minotis

Hamar

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Land of the Pharaohs

Land of the Pharaohs (1955) Land of the Pharaohs (1955) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Obsessed with his fate in the afterlife, the egotistical Pharaoh Khufu (Jack Hawkins) recruits oppressed architect Vashtar (James Robertson Justice) and forces him to design the most lavish and well-secured pyramid ever built. Vashtar struggles to meet Khufu's lofty expectations, knowing that, if he does so, the ruler will release his enslaved brethren from bondage. As construction begins, Khufu's new wife, Princess Nellifer (Joan Collins), plots to secure her own piece of the tyrant's riches.
Director
Howard Hawks
Producer
Howard Hawks
Screenwriter
William Faulkner, Harry Kurnitz, Harold Jack Bloom
Distributor
Warner Bros.
Production Co
Warner Bros., Continental Company Ltd.
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 24, 1955, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2009
Runtime
1h 46m
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