Blood from the Mummy's Tomb
The fourth and final Hammer Mummy film, completed after its director's death.
Blood from the Mummy's Tomb, a 1971 British horror film from Hammer Film Productions, wrapped up the studio's Mummy series as its fourth and final installment. Released on 14 October 1971 by MGM-EMI as a double feature with *Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde*, it faced a notoriously troubled production. Director Seth Holt died of a heart attack five weeks into the six-week shoot, and Michael Carreras completed the final week of filming. Original star Peter Cushing also left after just one day of shooting when his wife was diagnosed with lung cancer; Andrew Keir replaced him. Despite these setbacks, the film has been praised as one of Hammer's best from the 1970s.
The screenplay, loosely based on Bram Stoker's 1903 novel *The Jewel of Seven Stars*, was written by Christopher Wicking. He and producer Howard Brandy clashed—Brandy called the script "unshootable" and claimed Holt constantly rewrote it—and Wicking was barred from the set, though he continued working with Holt in the evenings. The lead role went to Valerie Leon after Sir James Carreras insisted on her over Brandy and Holt's preferred choice, Angharad Rees. The film was shot at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire on a budget of £200,000.
The plot follows Professor Fuchs, who leads an expedition to the unmarked tomb of Tera, an evil Egyptian queen. Drugged into suspended animation by priests, Tera's relics are buried with her. Fuchs, obsessed, brings the mummy and sarcophagus to England and recreates the tomb under his house. His daughter Margaret, born at the exact moment Tera's name was recited and bearing a striking resemblance to the queen, begins having nightmares. Fuchs gives her Tera's ring, but this only amplifies the queen's influence. Corbeck, a rival expedition member, wants to resurrect Tera and persuades Margaret to help gather the missing relics—each time one is surrendered, its keeper dies. When all relics are assembled, the trio begins the ritual, but Fuchs learns Tera's revival will kill Margaret. They kill Corbeck, but Tera awakens and kills Fuchs before Margaret stabs her. As the house collapses, Margaret and Tera grapple for a dagger. The sole survivor, a bandaged woman in the hospital, slowly opens her eyes, leaving it ambiguous whether she is Margaret or Tera.
Critical reception noted the film's stylistic consistency despite its fragmented production.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Seth HoltCompleted by Michael Carreras after Holt's death.
- Producer
- Howard Brandy
- Writer
- Christopher Wicking
- Based On
- The Jewel of Seven Stars · Bram Stoker
- Starring
- Valerie Leon / Andrew Keir / Mark Edwards / James Villiers / Hugh Burden / George Coulouris
- Music
- Tristram Cary
- Cinematography
- Arthur Grant
- Editing
- Peter Weatherley
- Studio
- Hammer Film Productions
- Distributor
- MGM-EMI Distributors (UK)
- Runtime
- 94 minutes
- Country
- United Kingdom
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The screenplay by Christopher Wicking is loosely based on Bram Stoker's 1903 novel The Jewel of Seven Stars. Writer Chris Wicking said the film was one of the last projects that James Carreras brought to Hammer. Wicking wanted to use the title of the book but Carreras did not; they brainstormed titles and came up with Blood from the Mummy's Tomb, which Wicking thought they would never use, but they did. Finance came from EMI Films. The job of directing went to Seth Holt, whose films were admired by producer Howard Brandy. Holt had a strong critical reputation for making such films as The Nanny, but had not made a movie in two years. Wicking worked with Seth Holt on the script. The film had to go into production early because there was a gap in the production schedule. Wicking said he had a falling out with producer Howard Brandy and was barred from the set but he continued to work with Holt in the evenings. Brandy later claimed Wicking's script was 'unshootable' and that Holt constantly rewrote it. He also says he and Holt wanted to cast Amy Grant in the lead but Sir James Carreras insisted on Valerie Leon.
Reader's Guide
Blood from the Mummy's Tomb is notable for its troubled production and its status as a cult film. Director Seth Holt died of a heart attack five weeks into the six-week shoot, collapsing into cast member Aubrey Morris's arms and dying on set. Michael Carreras directed the final week's filming, notably all of George Coulouris' scenes. Peter Cushing was cast and completed one day's filming before leaving after his wife was diagnosed with emphysema; he was replaced by Andrew Keir. The Monthly Film Bulletin praised the film as 'effortlessly the best of Hammer's recent attempts to develop the classic horror themes,' noting its mythic, amoral deity and its 'jaundiced view' of the world. AllMovie commended its 'glamorous style' and 'creepy atmosphere.' The New York Times called it 'tremendous fun, skilful and wonderfully energetic,' while Variety called it 'polished and well-acted but rather tame.' According to Filmink, a devoted cult has grown around the film, partly due to the circumstances of Holt's death but also the qualities of the film itself.
Did You Know?
- Director Seth Holt died of a heart attack on set five weeks into the six-week shoot.
- The film was released as the support feature to Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde on 14 October 1971.
- The budget for the film was £200,000, and it was shot at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Blood from the Mummy's Tomb?
It is a 1971 British horror film produced by Hammer Film Productions and released by MGM-EMI on 14 October 1971. The picture was shown as a double feature alongside Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde.
What novel is Blood from the Mummy's Tomb based on?
The screenplay adapts Bram Stoker's 1903 literary work The Jewel of Seven Stars. Hammer took Stoker's premise of an ancient Egyptian mummy being reanimated in the modern era and reshaped it into a full-length genre picture.
Why was the production of Blood from the Mummy's Tomb so troubled?
Director Seth Holt suffered a fatal heart attack five weeks into a six-week shoot, leaving Michael Carreras to finish the final week of filming. Original star Peter Cushing also walked after just one day when his wife was diagnosed with lung cancer, and Andrew Keir stepped in as the new lead.
Who directed Blood from the Mummy's Tomb?
Seth Holt was the primary director but died during the shoot, so Michael Carreras took over for the last week of principal photography. Both names are credited on the finished film.
Where does Blood from the Mummy's Tomb sit in the Hammer Mummy series?
It is the fourth and final installment in Hammer's Mummy franchise, bringing the studio's long-running take on the classic monster to a close. The production came in at a budget of roughly £200,000.
More in Films based on horror novels 1-24
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