The Mummy [DVD] [1932]

There is no news of Imhotep for years, and Dr. Whemple returns home vowing never to return or to speak of what he knows. Ten years later, though, his son (with a little help from a mysterious Egyptian named Ardath Bey) makes a fabulous find of his own underneath the sands, the grave and mummy of the Egyptian princess Anckesen-Amon, and so the elder Egyptologist returns to Egypt. As luck would have it, the young Dr. Whemple falls in love with Helen Grosvenor (Zita Johann) a half-Egyptian girl who turns out to have a strong connection to the newly discovered mummified princess who, it turns out, just so happens to have been the object of Imhotep's love and sacrifice. The mummy, completely human in appearance now, works to raise his love from the dead with the aid of the Scroll of Thoth, and it is up to young Dr. Whemple and Dr. Muller to safeguard Helen from a fate seemingly ordained millennia ago.

The most interesting thing about this movie is the fact that the mummy only appears in the traditional, caricatured apparel of rotting old bandages at the very beginning, after which point he takes the form of a man – an eccentric one with captivatingly powerful eyes and supernatural powers, but a man nonetheless. After a spooky beginning, the movie eventually takes a detour into romance and melodrama and never fully recovers its steam. While Karloff could appear quite menacing and malevolent, he is hardly the stuff nightmares are made of. I think the story is a little weak in the last stages, but this is still a five-star film based on its fame, its immense influence on the genre, and its overall quality; for a film from 1932, this print is simply amazing in both its audio and visual quality. And, though I need not say this again, Boris Karloff gives a subtle, captivating performance as Imhotep.

The film is the classic of its genre (i.e. the mummy films) and has spawned endless re-makes. Although not for the horror movie fan who enjoys gore and terror from a film, it is a great film for anyone who enjoys classic movies, and the more subtle horror films.

The DVD includes some decent extras. A commentry track by film historian Paul M. Jensen provides a highly detailed look into the film making techniques used by the film makers.

There is also a documentary called Mummy Dearest that provides some interesting background detail about the film, and why it was made. It also includes clips from the many sequels produced to The Mummy and some rare stills from deleted scenes.

Finally there is a rather good trailer included.

All in all, a great vehicle for a true classic film.

It is refreshing to have a monster appear on stage that, aside from satisfying his romantic or sexual interests, doesn't feel the incessant need to conquer/destroy the world. The lack of extravagant special effects and smart-alecky acrobatics that mars today's versions of 'The Mummy' also helps it achieve a far more realistic stance that resolves around characters, and not about superficial grandeur.

Imhotep's return to life is dramatic in its stillness, and we see the greatness of Karloff's acting in his silent movement; much the same greatness Christopher Lee showed in his silent portrayal of Imhotep decades later. The occasional sinister close-up of Imhotep's face is magnificent, revealing the shadowy schemes that underlie his calm facade.

This is a horror movie that is set in a small, intimate circle, and is genuinely character-driven. It's made for an audience that can appreciate the thrills that the film subtly inspires in the mind. Freund's "The Mummy" is everything what the dreadful remakes of the late 90's (and the 4 others that are still to follow) are not. If you like B&W movies, you know what to expect. If you don't, steer clear of this film.