THE MUMMY RESURRECTION **** UK 2022 Dir: Steve Lawson. 85 mins
Steve Lawson makes films that entertain and he always has me wanting to see his next film especially his horror output. That brings us to one of his latest films released that he wrote and Directed that being THE MUMMY RESURRECTION, which is a clever amalgamation of elements of the Frankenstein story and iterations of The Mummy story we know from horror movies and books.
At the turn of the 20th Century, famous archaeologist Felix Randolph (Melvyn Rawlinson) sets off to Egypt to find what could be his biggest claim to history, the discovery of the ancient Egyptian princess Khenmetptah. Upon finding the lost Egyptian sarcophagus he soon discovers that there is a very good reason this Mummy’s location has stayed hidden for over 4,000 years and that reason is that this Mummy bares a curse of a thousand deaths to anyone who touches the sarcophagus.
Bringing the sarcophagus to his home he aims to brick it up in his basement where no one will get to see it but as luck would have it ill health gets in the way. Felix sends a telegram to his nephew Everett Randolph (Chris Bell) -the black sheep of the family – to discuss an inheritance much to Everett’s delight. Everett currently owes a lot of money to an unscrupulous character called Sykes (Carl Wharton) and if Sykes doesn’t get his money soon it will be the end of Everett for good. It is revealed by Felix that all of his archaeological finds will go to museums except one, a cursed sarcophagus. Everett’s cousin Archie (Rafe Bird) who lives in Felix’s home is training to be a doctor and has so far managed with his research to bring rats back from the dead by restarting the heart, thankfully for Archie he can continue his research where he is as he will inherit the house.
Everett’s luck goes from bad to worse though as he has nothing of value to inherit but the news of the gold covered jewel encased sarcophagus in the house has his mind whirling with how to make money from it. He tries to sell the sarcophagus to an antique seller but even they know of the curse that is on it and wants nothing to do with it.
Learnings of his cousin’s ability to bring the dead back to life Everett blackmails Archie into helping him resurrect the mummified princess knowing that many people will pay more then a pound to see a real life Egyptian Princess back from the dead. Though what Everett doesn’t realise is that when things die they should stay dead especially if they have a long feared curse attached to them.
Another rewatchable movie by Steve Lawson that will appeal to genre fans that love the content from Hammer Films, Amicus Productions and Tigon British Film Productions. The film is very much about the curse on the Mummy and the repercussions of dealing with it but the story also keeps you intrigued with the Randolph family drama throughout. Brilliantly acted by all but extra special applause should go out to Chris Bell, Rafe Bird and Melvyn Rawlinson for bringing their characters to life.
Raven Lee plays the role of Khenmetptah and although there isn’t much for them to do in the role apart from a few snarls and arm gestures, seeing the Mummy moving is still pretty chilling. Perhaps if there is to be a sequel to this movie we will get to see more of Khenmetptah and learn more about why she is so feared outside of what is revealed in this movie. It would also be a good way to bring the character of Felix Randolph back in flashback even if its by narration.
Hammer Films are one of my favourite movie studios and although THE MUMMY RESURRECTION is not from that studio it certainly has that studios infamous look to it. With its Gothic charm, unique and interesting characters and a snappy compelling storyline, Steve Lawson has created the best movie about an ancient Egyptian Mummy in years.
Review by Peter ‘Witchfinder‘ Hopkins
Out now to Rent/Buy on Prime Video and to buy on DVD