Horror Movie Review: Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb (1971)

Released in 1971, Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb was director Seth Holt’s final film and stars Andrew Keir, Valerie Leon and James Villiers. It was loosely adapted from Bram Stoker’s novel The Jewel of Seven Stars.

The story surrounds an evil Egyptian Queen named Tera (Leon) who was buried in a state of suspended animation by a group of priests. Professor Fuchs (Keir) discovers the tomb and brings it back to England and keeps her body in his basement.

Fuch’s daughter, Margaret’s (also Leon) has nightmares and her resemblance to Tera hasn’t gone unnoticed. There seems to be some sort of link between the pair. Fuch gives her the queen’s ring to wear seemingly as a gift but it just heightens Margaret’s issues.

Wanting to find out answers she meets Corbeck (Villiers) who is her father’s rival. He knows all about Tera and wants to bring her back to life. For that he needs the relics that were buried with the Queen and have since been shared out amongst the rest of the expedition.

Will Corbeck complete his plan to resurrect the ancient Egyptian Queen and if he does, what does it mean for Margaret?

Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb is a disappointing entry in the Hammer horror series as it’s far too slow. The story is pretty thin and stretched to breaking point, it taking an age to get to its conclusion. Not that the payoff is particularly satisfying.

What does make Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb a worthwhile watch though is its atmosphere and style. It looks great and many scenes drip with tension. A lot of that can be credited to Valerie Leon who is great in her roles. Although one is just lying down with not much covering her body. She is sexy, sultry and devilish as the movie goes on, lighting up the screen and the most interesting character by far. The only other memorable turn comes from James Villiers who is plays his evil role with relish.

Beyond that though Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb won’t live long in the memory.

[amazon_link asins=’B000067A5X,B072N6ZXMV,B07BJ28ZX6,B07BD3TQGW’ template=’UseThisOne’ store=’g0e5b-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’ced999c1-3f54-11e8-9aa2-f3c9e56e5823′]