Review of The Egyptian (1954) by Daniel F — 02 Dec 2010

So, it's cheesy 1954 Hollywood swords and sandals movie. But I have to give the production team credit for trying to recreate a realistic ancient Egypt. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this movie unless you like this era of Hollywood, or in my case, you are interested in seeing how an ancient Egyptian story "The Tales of Sinuhe" is adapted and visualized (the movie is based on a novel, but the novel is based on 3000 year old tale).

The physical elements are good. However, the plot is grandiose, and the sentiment is very modern. In this take, Sinuhe is in a state of permanent existential crisis, not something I think many ancient Egyptians would have dealt with.

And he can't accept the role of marrying his half-sister, which in that time was desirable for royalty. The portrayal of Akenaten was a nice riff on what we know about him. But the script writers can't resist relating the monotheistic worship of a sun-god as a precursor for Christianity.

Points for the non-Hollywood ending, however dreary.