Rating of
2/4
"The stone will be cemented with tears and blood."
Indyfreak - wrote on 09/11/17
And that's how they built the pyramids apparently.
LAND OF THE PHARAOHS was one of the most lavish and expensive costume epics from Hollywood's Golden Age. While I can believe they spent their money on thousands of extras and costues, it's amazing that it took three writers for this. Like other films in the genre, LotP is often silly melodrama with scene chewing aplenty.
Taking the cake is Joan Collins as the seductive and conniving Egyptian queen. She and Jack Hawkins (who plays the king) are the only real big name stars in this film. The designated protagonist is a learned slave and architect that bears a striking resemblance to Peter Ustinov who really would have been better in the role.
LotP certainly looks grand and sprawling. And it's not three hours long, thank heaven. But aside from Joan Collins playing the villain and the expensive scenery, there's little to distinguish it from other better films that it clearly wants to join the ranks of.
