The supernatural curse of the mummy is a popular theme in various forms of media such as literature, movies, and folklore. It revolves around the belief that disturbing or disrespecting the resting place of an ancient Egyptian mummy can unleash a curse upon those involved. The idea of the mummy's curse has captured the imagination of many, blending adventure and horror in a captivating narrative. The concept of a curse associated with Egyptian mummies dates back to the early 20th century when tales of mysterious deaths and misfortunes supposedly linked to the opening of King Tutankhamun's tomb began to circulate. These stories fueled public interest in Egyptology and contributed to the popularization of the mummy's curse in Western culture. The supposed curse is believed to be a form of divine retribution, punishment from the gods for disturbing the sacred resting place of a pharaoh or other high-ranking individual.
Plot: Red announces that the local museum in town is having some renovations done to it, and the lodge is temporarily storing its artifacts there. Dalton, however, warns Red not to mess around with the museum artifacts because they have a supernatural power to them. Mike then shows up with another artifact, a mummy. But Dalton becomes even more worried, saying that every mummy comes with a curse. But neither Red nor Mike take his warning seriously. As Red fools around with the mummy, Dalton warns him that this mummy was once an Egyptian prince whose family was killed and would return from the dead to be avenged, but Red still ignores him. Then he and Mike get an idea: they will play a trick on Dalton by having Mike dress up as the mummy itself. In the end, Red returns to the lodge and sees what he thinks is Mike dressed as the mummy. Dalton returns, too, and, seeing the mummy, worries that the curse has indeed come to life. The mummy leaves and Red tells Dalton that it was just Mike in disguise and that it was just a joke. But then Mike enters from a different room and tells Red he couldn't get the bandages on in time. Red becomes shaken as he goes to the Lodge Meeting, where the mummy shows up, wearing a lodge jacket.
News of the discovery of the first-ever intact royal burial chamber caused an international sensation as the press reported tales of incomparable and mysterious riches from the tomb of the little-known boy-king, whose reign had lasted only ten years. News of the discovery of the first-ever intact royal burial chamber caused an international sensation as the press reported tales of incomparable and mysterious riches from the tomb of the little-known boy-king, whose reign had lasted only ten years.
The supposed curse is believed to be a form of divine retribution, punishment from the gods for disturbing the sacred resting place of a pharaoh or other high-ranking individual. The curse is said to bring about a series of unfortunate events, including illness, accidents, and even death, to those directly or indirectly involved with the desecration. One of the most famous examples of the mummy's curse is the story surrounding the discovery and excavation of King Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922 by the British archaeologist Howard Carter.
Curse of the Mummy
Mummies, one of the staples of horror, are usually depicted as hideous walking corpses wrapped in bandages. In this form they have starred in numerous scary movies in which they have been woken unwisely from their millenia-long rests to plague the living, as well as causing nightmares for generations of film-goers. One of their earliest appearances was The Jewel of Seven Stars, a horror novel by Bram Stoker – who is of course far better known for his contribution to the vampire genre – first published in 1903 that concerned an archaeologist’s plot to revive an ancient Egyptian mummy. Universal Pictures then contributed several classic horror films concerning mummies, right up to the most recent Brendan Fraser versions (although arguably the scariest thing about these movies was the acting). The belief in cursed mummies which inspired both book and film outings for these undead monsters was probably drawn from a real-life event – the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun and the train of tragic occurrences that this set in motion.
The discovery of the boy-king Tutankhamun’s tomb in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings by archaeologist Howard Carter and his colleague Lord Carnarvon in 1922 represented the greatest find in the history of Egyptology. News of the discovery of the first-ever intact royal burial chamber caused an international sensation as the press reported tales of incomparable and mysterious riches from the tomb of the little-known boy-king, whose reign had lasted only ten years. Brimming with funerary equipment made from the finest materials, the small chamber also contained a clay tablet with the hieroglyphic inscription: “Death will slay with his wings whoever disturbs the peace of the pharaoh”. The following April Lord Carnarvon died of some unknown disease. By 1929 – a mere six years later – 22 people who had been involved in opening the tomb had died prematurely. Other archaeologists dismissed talk of a mummy’s curse as journalistic sensationalism, yet it is difficult to imagine that this long series of deaths was merely a frightening coincidence.
The first to die was Arthur Mace, an American archaeologist who had helped unseal the tomb. He began to complain of exhaustion soon after Carnarvon’s death, then suddenly and inexplicably fell into a coma and died a few days later. George Jay Gould, son of the famous American financier, came to Egypt when he heard of Carnarvon’s death and was taken to see the tomb by Carter. The next day he had a fever; by evening he was dead. A British industrialist who visited the grave site also died of a fever on his way back to England, as did a radiologist who X-rayed Tutankhamun’s mummy. In 1929 Lord Carnarvon’s wife died of an ‘insect bite’ and Carter’s secretary was found dead in bed of a circulatory collapse – a condition which had also accounted for the deaths a couple of years earlier of two other scientists who had performed the autopsy on Tutankhamun’s mummy. What is particularly chilling about the fates of those involved in the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun is that many other archaeologists associated with Egypt have also died prematurely. These premature deaths included those of Francois Champollion, who decoded the Rosetta Stone, the great Egyptologist Belzoni and Carter’s close associate Professor James Henry Breasted. Frequently, these deaths seem to have involved a curious exhaustion – Carter himself suffered from this, as well as from fits of depression – which perhaps indicates that the ancient Egyptian tomb priests knew of poisons or fungoid growths that would retain their power down the centuries.
This is an interesting, if far-fetched, theory that is difficult to prove (although no less credible than the idea of a mummy’s curse!). It should also be mentioned that Carter, who probably spent more time in the tomb of Tutankhamun than anyone else, survived until the age of 66, long after the discovery of the mummy. If all this talk of ancient Egyptian curses has put you in the mood for a good, old-fashioned mummy story then you might like Lot No. 249 (click to read!) – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s definitive contribution to the genre, which has itself inspired more than one mummy-themed movie.
According to legend, Carter's team and several other individuals associated with the tomb died under mysterious circumstances shortly after its opening. These deaths fueled the narrative of the curse and added an aura of danger and intrigue to the field of Egyptology. However, it is essential to note that the alleged curse of the mummy is largely a product of popular imagination and media sensationalism. While there were indeed deaths surrounding the opening of King Tutankhamun's tomb, they can be attributed to natural causes or mere coincidences. The belief in the supernatural curse of the mummy showcases the human fascination with ancient civilizations and the desire to uncover hidden treasures. It is a powerful narrative device that adds depth and excitement to stories centered around ancient Egypt. Whether one believes in the curse or not, its enduring presence in popular culture ensures that the legend of the mummy's curse will continue to captivate audiences for generations to come..
Reviews for "Ancient Secrets Unveiled: The Curse of the Mummy Exposed"
1. Jane - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "The supernatural curse of the mummy". The plot was predictable, and the characters lacked depth and development. The dialogue was cliché and uninspiring, and the acting felt forced. The special effects were also subpar, making the supernatural elements feel cheesy and unrealistic. Overall, I found the film to be unoriginal and forgettable, and I wouldn't recommend it to others looking for a thrilling supernatural horror.
2. John - 1/5 - "The supernatural curse of the mummy" was a complete letdown for me. The storyline was all over the place, and it seemed like the filmmakers couldn't decide whether they wanted it to be a horror film or an action-adventure. The pacing was off, with long stretches of slow-moving scenes followed by sudden bursts of chaotic action. The acting was wooden, and the dialogue was cringe-worthy. The film failed to build any suspense or tension, and I was left feeling bored and unengaged throughout. Save your money and skip this one.
3. Michael - 2/5 - I was hoping for a thrilling and chilling experience with "The supernatural curse of the mummy", but unfortunately, it fell flat. The plot was convoluted and disjointed, making it hard to follow and invest in the story. The characters were underdeveloped, and I didn't feel any emotional connection to them or their struggles. The scares were predictable and relied too heavily on jump scares, taking away from any genuine suspense. It was a forgettable film that lacked the impact and originality I was expecting from a supernatural horror.
4. Sarah - 1/5 - "The supernatural curse of the mummy" is easily one of the worst films I've watched. The acting was atrocious, with stiff performances and lack of chemistry between the cast. The dialogue was cringe-worthy and often felt forced. The special effects were outdated, and the mummy itself looked laughably fake. The plot was uninteresting and lacked any depth, while the pacing was sluggish and disjointed. I found it hard to stay engaged, and the film felt like a wasted opportunity to explore the rich mythology of mummies and curses. Do yourself a favor and skip this awful movie.