Dawn of the Mummy (1981)

[Menard]

Dawn of the Mummy (1981)


I realize there is a review of this movie in the reviews section, but when I go to Amazon.com to a page of reviews that recommend this movie only to find what a lame movie this is (after I bought one), I have to comment. Giving this movie four slimes in the reviews section is way over rating it.


DAWN OF THE MUMMY is nothing more than an attempt at a zombie movie which adds a mummy to the mix.


This waste of space on a DVD begins with an archaeologist who ignores local superstitions with regard to a tomb he opens. Meanwhile, a photographer and his models happen upon the tomb and think this would be an ideal place for a shoot (every fashion model's dream). Unfotunately, the photographer's lights are having a strange affect on the mummy, bringing it back to life. Unfortunately this takes over 35 minutes for the mummy to rise while everbody else is occupied with boring the hell out of us. Of course after the mummy rises, zombies begin to rise at random from some of the strangest places.


This movie does have it's funny moments that are too few and far between. One has a model being chased by the mummy who moves at an alarmingly slow pace (no doubt influenced by the pace of this movie). The model however is running and running, but at no time does she ever gain any ground on Mr. Superslow. There is additionally a hilarious scene where the mummy, who apparently prefers not to use his hands, puts a meat clever into an obviously fake head.


Well, at least since it is 'R' rated and full of models, you would figure there would be some skin. Do not get your hopes up, as there is not one ounce of nudity in this movie; or for that matter, acting talent.


What DAWN OF THE MUMMY has is a few funny moments stuck in a boring 97 minutes of movie. The director to blame for this OASIS OF THE ZOMBIES wannabe (low expectations) is Frank Agrama.


Unfortunately this thing is available on a DVD from Madacy Entertainment.

[Ozzymandias]

Is this the movie where Dr. Who does the killing and graverobbing for Chief Ironside?

[Menard]

Uh.....no. But in that same movie, doesn't Ironside lose it after Dr. Who does an impersonation of Godzilla?

[Ozzymandias]

Seriously, I saw a movie as a kid where Raymond Burr was a man who thought her was a reincarnated Pharoh and Tom Baker was his Egyptian henchman.

[Menard]

That movie is THE CURSE OF KING TUT'S TOMB (1980). Here is a link:

The Curse of King Tut's Tomb/credits


I still like the idea of Tom Baker doing a Godzilla impersonation ( :

[Ozzymandias]

You're right. It was called Curse of King Tut.

[StatCat]

I wrote that review, only one that made it here (I think back in 2001?) Anyway I always dug that movie. To call it Oasis of the Zombies is a little harsh. It is slow at times but there's are a couple of good scenes and gore. I consider it to be kind of like Shock Waves- odd zombie films.

[Menard]

True. There is very little that is as boring as OASIS OF THE ZOMBIES. Of course I was using that an an insult by comparing it. If I had rented DAWN OF THE MUMMY, I may well have gone a little easier on it. Being that I actually bought this movie, I was very disappointed. There are some humorous moments, but few and far between. And lets face it, a horror movie filled with models and not one of them gets naked, what is this world coming to?......( :

[StatCat]

I've never seen the Madacy dvd but there's two versions of this movie actually. One is a much darker video print (cut from what I heard) and there's an uncut version with the night time scenes being much more visible. I've only seen the uncut version, still no nudity but probably more gore.

[Menard]

The DVD does not make any mention of being uncut, but I would presume it is. It is 97 minutes long and comes with the director's commentary. The nighttime scenes on this DVD are fine from a perspective of being able to see the scene. Of course I have seen VHS transfers where the nighttime scenes come out really dark. One of the worst tapes I have seen with that problem is HUMONGOUS, where scenes just go completely black with only audio. No problems like that on the DAWN OF THE MUMMY DVD.