Awakening, The | Charlton Heston, Susannah York

Awakening, The | Charlton Heston, Susannah York | Better than given credit for

vhs video:

Awakening, The

	Awakening, The Charlton Heston, Susannah York Warner Home Video, 1993 average customer review:based on 11 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

An archaeologist on a dig in the Egyptian pyramids releases a curse that causes the spirit of a murderous princess to enter the body of the man's daughter.

A classic

"The Awakening" isn't a summer blockbuster; it was never meant to be. This is a story about an archaeologist trying to break ground despite being the 17 millionth person studying ancient Egypt. He is a believer and his passion consumes him. He is also not a perfect man. He is a man of science who's work defines his whole being. This is why I think the audience may have a hard time warming up to him.
I don't like to give details in my reviews. What this story has to offer is a realistic horror film. Even though there are virtually no special effects, we are still drawn in to a world of silent malevolence.
This is not a "slasher" film. There is much weight given to suspicious happenings and ancient curses that frankly, makes this story much more creepy. There is virtually nothing offered in the movie that I couldn't see actually happening. Not that I believe in curses, but you never know, there are things in the universe that you don't want to piss off. Leave them alone, you may live longer.
Some have said that is story is "slow". Yes. It is a drama. It's trying to weave a tale for you that is intelligent, thoughtful and if you're willing sit and be invested in the story, it may scare you more than Freddy Kruger ever could.

for more information click here

Better than given credit for

I saw this movie in the theater. It's entertaining and certainly not as bad as some critics say. Especially the references to magic which is real and Egypt was/is the font of all true magic. How can anyone doubt when looking at the pyramids and other Egyptian wonders?

not just another mummy movie

Being a Chareston Heston ..I loved this movie!! When are they going to put it on dvd?

Eerie

The Awakening was the second adaptation of Bram Stoker's The Jewel of the Seven Stars. Hammer's Blood from the Mummy's Tomb being the first. Many have compared The Awakening unfavourably with the first film, a comparison that I consider to be unfair becauise they are two very different adaptations and both succeed in their own right.
Of the two films, The Awakening has by far the higher production values and benefits from its stunning Egyptian locations.
It also has a superb and eerie music score and has one of my all time favourite credit sequences, showing the Nile and the surrounding scenery. The music to this opening piece is simply sublime and sets the viewer up nicely for the rest of the film.

Charlton Heston plays an archeologist looking for a fabled lost tomb, of a nameless and apparently evil Egyptian queen. Needless to say he uncovers an ancient and vile power which starts to kill off his friends, and to threaten his daughter (played by Stephanie Zimbalist).
The film has a good narrative which is also suspenseful, as the events unfold.
Unfortunately the ending is weak and appears to be rushed. This is a great shame because otherwise the film would have been worthy of five stars. The makers would have done better to stick with a similar ending to Blood from The Mummy's Tomb.

That said, The Awakening remains a very good film and is well worth a look. I own the film on dvd and it is available in Australia on Region 4. Sound is Dolby Digital Mono. Unfortunately the picture transfer is not as good as it could have been and is little better than on vhs.
It would be nice to see a Region 1 or 2 dvd of this film, with a proper transfer and 5.1 sound. Now that really would be something.

for more information click here

reviews: page 1, 2, 3

products you might be interested in