THE MUMMY (1999)

MORGAN'S RATING

In the 1920s, a group of archaelogists led by adventurer Rick O'Connell discovers the mummified body of Imhotep, an Egyptian priest who was cursed for falling in love with the Pharoah's mistress. When they accidentally resurrect him, the battle for survival begins, as the mummy begins to use his powers to reclaim his long-lost love. Director Stephen Sommers updates this classic Universal monster for the 90s, using a dazzling array of computer-generated special effects. Fun performances from Fraser and Weisz add to the tongue-in-cheek Saturday matinee appeal.

Brendan Fraser (Rick O'Connell), Rachel Weisz (Evelyn 'Evie' Carnahan), John Hannah (Jonathan Carnahan), Arnold Vosloo (Imhotep), Kevin J. O'Connor (Beni Gabor), Jonathan Hyde (Dr. Chamberlin), Oded Fehr (Ardeth Bay), Erick Avari (Dr. Bey), Stephen Dunham (Mr. Henderson), Corey Johnson (Mr. Daniels), Tuc Watkins (Dr. Burns),  Patricia Velasquez (Anck-Su-Namun), Omid Djalili (Warden Gad Hassan), Aharon Ipale (Pharaoh Seti I), Bernard Fox (Capt. Winston Havlock), Carl Chase (Hook), Mohammed Afifi (Hangman), Abderrahim El Aadili (Camel Trader).

THE SANDS WILL RISE. THE HEAVENS WILL PART. THE POWER WILL BE UNLEASHED.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Stephen Sommers (The Mummy Returns). WRITERS: Stephen Sommers, Nina Wilcox Putnam, Richard Schayer, Lloyd Fonvielle and Kevin Jarre, and based on the screenplay by John L. Balderston.  PRODUCERS: Sean Daniel and James Jacks. ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: Megan Moran. CO-PRODUCER: Patricia Carr. EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Kevin Jarre. ORIGINAL MUSIC: Jerry Goldsmith.  DISTRIBUTOR: Universal Pictures.

QUOTES

Evelyn: Look, I -- I may not be an explorer, or an adventurer, or a treasure-seeker, or a gunfighter, Mr. O'Connell! But I am proud of what I am! Rick O'Connell: And what is that? Evelyn: I...am a librarian!

FACTS

[After a shipwreck.] Beni: Hey O'Connell! Looks to me like we've got all the horses! Rick O'Connell: Hey Beni! Looks to me like you're on the wrong side of the river!

RELEASE DATE: May 7th, 1999 (USA) BOX OFFICE OPENING: $43.3 million (USA) BOX OFFICE RESULT: $155.2 million (USA) WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE RESULT: $376.6 million BUDGET: $76 million (USA) - The warning written on the chest containing the Book of the Dead, "Death will come on swift wings to whomsover opens this chest," is a reference to an actual curse written on a tablet found in the tomb of Tutankhamen. This tablet was one of the bases for the legend of the mummy's curse. - During the scene where the people are chanting, the supporting artists began to change what they were chanting from the correct egyptian phrase, to "Ohwhatanarseyouare" (oh what an arse you are) during rehersals. Before long, they were chanting it, and did so on the final take. Nobody on the crew noticed during filming, and it therefore remains in the film. - Brendan Fraser passed out while filming because the noose around his neck was too tight. - The fort in Cairo is called Fort Brydon. In the Jungle Book, also directed by Stephen Sommers, Sam Neill played Colonel Brydon. - The leader of the Medjai desert tribe is named Ardeth Bay after the alias used by Boris Karloff's Imhotep character The Mummy (1932). - Nominated for one Academy Award for Best Sound. - Followed by a sequel, The Mummy Returns (2001), and a quickly made prequel spinoff, The Scorpion King (2002), with Dwayne Johnson's character from the second film in the lead.

Beni: Much better to be the right hand of the devil than to be in his path.

Hangman: Any lasts requests? Rick O'Connell: Yeah, loosen the knot and let me go.

Rick O'Connell: I've been to Hamunaptra. Evelyn: You swear? Rick O'Connell: Every damn day.

[After a mysterious winds blows up for the umpteenth time.] Rick O'Connell: That happens a lot around here, doesn't it?

Rick O'Connell: Don't worry. I'll figure something out. Evelyn: You better. Because if he turns me into a mummy, you're the first one I'm coming after.

Evelyn: You lied to me! Jonathan: I lie to everyone. What makes you so special?

Rick O'Connell: I only gamble with my life, never my money.

"A well-crafted, great looking adventure, with some spirited performances!" -- Justine Elias, Mr. Showbiz

"It's cheerful, slightly cheesy entertainment!" -- Jonathan Foreman, New York Post

"A gaudy comic video game splashed onto the screen!" -- Stephen Holden, New York Times

"A weightless, instantly forgettable picture!" -- Robert Horton, Film.com

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"Special effects galore, but no sense of awe or wonder; what's more, it goes on forever." -- Leonard Maltin

"A failure in more ways than a mortal would have time to explain." -- Desson Howe, Washington Post

"There is hardly a thing I can say in this favor, except that I was cheered by nearly every minute of it." -- Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times

"An aggressively eye-popping horror film!" -- Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly