I wonder why so many people reference the 1932 movie, when I feel this is a clear improvement of the premise. While it is quite different from that and later movies in that the mummy (Kharis here, not Imhotep) cannot talk, it gives a certain uniqueness to the monster, that while he is powerful, he isn't his own master and is controlled by someone else. In a way, the mummy functions a lot like the classic golem of legends.
What makes the movie great is the performance by Peter Cushing. He is an unflappable englishman who isn't afraid to suspect the supernatural when the normal explanations are exhausted. His investigation and clever argument with the human villain is really interesting, as he cleverly goads the answers he needs out of him.
Christopher Lee acts so well even when all you can see are his eyes - those intense, dark eyes full of hatred, but also passion. I liked the new backstory for the mummy - his crime was one of love and passion, and you kinda feel for him. Unlike Imhotep he wasn't particularly evil nor deserving this faith, and Lee plays him extremely well in the flashbacks.
And he is such a scary premise, because he is simply, unstoppable. I love that far from not trying, our heroes fight back but guns, spears, physical strength is all useless against the unstoppable horror that advances - at quite a measured pace, Lee's mummy isn't slow or lumbering, and once he has got a chokehold, you are as good as dead.
The tomb props are also miles above the 1932 Universal film, the costumes and sarcophagi are all gorgeous, like a recreation of Tutankhamon's tomb.
All in all, I much recommend this to the 1932 movie.
What makes the movie great is the performance by Peter Cushing. He is an unflappable englishman who isn't afraid to suspect the supernatural when the normal explanations are exhausted. His investigation and clever argument with the human villain is really interesting, as he cleverly goads the answers he needs out of him.
Christopher Lee acts so well even when all you can see are his eyes - those intense, dark eyes full of hatred, but also passion. I liked the new backstory for the mummy - his crime was one of love and passion, and you kinda feel for him. Unlike Imhotep he wasn't particularly evil nor deserving this faith, and Lee plays him extremely well in the flashbacks.
And he is such a scary premise, because he is simply, unstoppable. I love that far from not trying, our heroes fight back but guns, spears, physical strength is all useless against the unstoppable horror that advances - at quite a measured pace, Lee's mummy isn't slow or lumbering, and once he has got a chokehold, you are as good as dead.
The tomb props are also miles above the 1932 Universal film, the costumes and sarcophagi are all gorgeous, like a recreation of Tutankhamon's tomb.
All in all, I much recommend this to the 1932 movie.