Valley of the Kings (1954)

In 1900, in Egypt, archaeologist Mark Brandon is asked by Ann Mercedes to find the tomb of Ra-Hotep but their quest is marred by intrigue, betrayal, murder and danger.

Director:

Robert Pirosh

Writers:

Robert Pirosh, Karl Tunberg

Stars:

Robert Taylor, Eleanor Parker, Carlos Thompson

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Robert Taylor	...	Mark Brandon
Eleanor Parker	...	Ann Mercedes
Carlos Thompson	...	Philip Mercedes
Kurt Kasznar	...	Hamed Backhour
Victor Jory	...	Tuareg Chief
Leon Askin	...	Valentine Arko
Aldo Silvani	...	Father Anthimos
Samia Gamal	...	Dancer

Storyline

Hard-boiled archeologist Mark Brandon is searching for ancient tombs in Egypt when he is approached by beautiful Ann Mercedes, who convinces him to help her fulfill her deceased father's life's ambition - to provide solid proof of the biblical Joseph's travels in ancient Egypt. As an ex-pupil of Ann's father Mark accepts and the two embark on a search for the tomb of the Pharoah Ra Hotep, said to have had some connection with Joseph. The trail to the tomb is fraught with intrigue, betrayal, murder and the possibility that the tomb itself has been emptied of all its artifacts by ancient looters.

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Plot Keywords:

riding sidesaddle | tomb | egypt | murder | archaeologist | 

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Taglines:

In Exotic Color

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Genres:

Adventure

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Arabic

Release Date:

23 July 1954 (USA)

Also Known As:

Das Tal der Könige

Filming Locations:

Mount Sinai, Egypt

Box Office

Budget:

$2,065,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$1,591,000, 31 December 1954

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,305,000, 31 December 1954

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

It was possible to film in Egypt as it was before the pro-Soviet Colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser seized power. After 1954 few Western films were made in Egypt due to the country's increasing ties with the Soviet Union and China.

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Goofs

During the sand storm, the wind is strong enough to blow Ann off her feet, however both Ann and Marks hats stay on. During the sword fight Mark's hat falls right off.

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Quotes

Mark Brandon: Every time you dig up something from the past you give more meaning to the present.

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Soundtracks

Dance of Gamal
(uncredited)
Music by Atia Sharara

User Reviews

Good old-fashioned romp

I first saw this film when it was released in the UK. I was thirteen at the time. It will always be a favourite because it sparked off what was to become one of my greatest passions: anything and everything to do with Ancient Egypt and its remarkable impact on the imagination, ambition and sometimes greed of every civilisation that succeeded it. Yep, Robert Taylor was perhaps out of place but Eleanor Parker made up for the weaknesses and foibles of the plot. It's just a good, old-fashioned romp.