Rating: PG
Genre:
Horror
Release Date: 08/07/2001
Dubbed: English
Sound: 5.1/1
Run Time: 93 Minutes
Flags: Violence, Not For Children
Distributor/Studio: Anchor Bay
The swan song for director
Seth Holt (who died shortly before filming was completed), this stylish
Hammer production transcends its low budget thanks to lush photography, a stylish look, and fine performances from the leads. The plot, adapted from
Bram Stoker's novel
The Jewel of the Seven Stars, involves an expedition led by Professor Fuchs (
Andrew Keir) to find the cursed tomb of an evil Egyptian princess. Upon discovery of her sarcophagus, Fuchs finds her perfectly preserved, still-bleeding severed hand -- which also sports a dazzling ruby ring. Several years later, Fuchs gives the pilfered ring to his voluptuous young daughter Margaret (
Valerie Leon), whereupon she slowly begins to take on the malevolent traits of its original wearer, seeking revenge for the defilement of her tomb. Though
Christopher Wicking's adaptation of
Stoker's obscure novel is a bit uneven, it still provides ample suspense and the production has an overall richness that captures the flavor of Hammer's other mummy projects. Remade eight years later (with less effective results) as
The Awakening; traces of the same story can also be found in
Universal's 1999 mega-budget version
The Mummy.
~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
