Synopsis
The maestro of light, shadow and illumination. Such an appellation was used to describe Karl Freund, and even by looking at the titles of his films, it is easy to understand why. Such classic silent era German films as Paul Wegener's < Der Golem >, F.W. Murnau's < The Last Laugh >, and Fritz Lang's < Metropolis > were all blessed with the man's visualization. After making important contributions to German cinema, Freund leaves for the United States in the late 1920s, and directs several films. < The Mummy > is his first feature film. Along with his last film < Mad Love >(1935), it is also considered his best.
The film begins in 1921, where the English expedition is busy with the excavation. Here, they find the mummy of the ancient Egyptian king, Imhotep. However, due to a mistake of a young expedition team member, Imhotep is resurrected, and disappears. Eleven years later, Imhotep reappears with a new name Ardeth Bey. With a conviction that he will reunite with the princess, now resuscitated with the name Helen.
The film is quite different from the newly released version of < The Mummy >. It does not offer hard-core action, but what it offers is a mystery about life and death. In addition, rather than offer the viewer with action, it concentrates on ominous and mysterious love story set behind exotic landscapes. Boris Karloff is fascinating in his charismatic and supernatural fear evoking portrayal of the Egyptian prince. (HONG Sung-nam)