Despite numerous attempts over the years, I have never really been able to connect with Seth Holt's BLOOD FROM THE MUMMY'S TOMB (1971). In fact, other than Terrence Fisher's masterful THE MUMMY (1959) I have found all of Hammer's mummy flicks to be somewhat underwhelming and lacking, certainly in comparison to the studio's other great gothic (and modern) horrors. Unfortunately last night's viewing of the new local Blu-ray release of BLOOD FROM THE MUMMY'S TOMB has done little to alter my view of the film. Based on Bram Stoker's novel THE JEWEL OF THE SEVEN STARS, the film certainly looks beautiful and lush, has a fine score by Tristram Cary, and atmosphere oozing from almost every pore. It presents an interesting take on the traditional mummy themes, and Valerie Leon looks absolutely ethereal in her dual role as Margaret Fuchs/Queen Tera, but it's just one of those movies where its whole does not reflect or do justice to its wonderful individual elements. It's also a movie whose production was beset by personal tragedy - original star Peter Cushing had to drop out after only three days filming due to the illness of his beloved wife, and director Seth Holt died at the age of only 48 while the film was still one week away from the completion of filming (Michael Carreras overseeing the completion of the film).
