Valley of the Kings

Director: Robert Pirosh Robert Pirosh

Overview

This romantic desert adventure is set in 1900 Egypt and follows the exploits of an archeological expedition as they search the pharaoh's tombs for treasure and insight into the past.

Product Details

Release Date:	04/12/2016
UPC:	0888574389680
Original Release:	1954
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Archives
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Language:	English
Time:	1:26:00
Sales rank:	24,038

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Robert Taylor	Mark Brandon
Eleanor Parker	Ann Mercedes
Carlos Thompson	Philip Mercedes
Kurt Kasznar	Hamed Bachkour
Victor Jory	Taureg Chief
Leon Askin	Valentine Arko
Aldo Silvani	Father Anthimos
Samia Gamal	Dancer
Rushdi Abazah	Robed Man - Singer
Leora Dana	Lovely Girl
Frank DeKova	Akmed Salah - Nomad Guide
Manuel Lopez	Arab Chanter
Laurette Luez	Native Girl
Paul Maxey	Prior
Joseph Mell	Antique Dealer
Mahmud Shaikhaly	Robed Man
Al Silvani	Father Anthimos
Miklós Rózsa	Composer

Technical Credits

Robert Pirosh

Karl Tunberg

C.W. Ceram

Robert Pirosh	Director,Screenwriter
Karl Tunberg	Screenwriter
C.W. Ceram	Screenwriter
Douglas Shearer	Sound Effects
Harold Humbrock	Sound Effects
A. Gillespie	Special Effects
Warren Newcombe	Special Effects

Editorial Reviews

Valley of the Kings is pure hokum, and what is worse, it's very boring hokum. It is, however, very attractive to the eye, thanks to a combination of cinematographer Robert Surtees' expert lensing and the extensive use of location shooting in Egypt, which may not match especially well with the studio sets but which is delicious on its own. Stars Robert Taylor and Eleanor Parker also make Valley very easy on the eyes. Indeed, perhaps if Valley had been re-conceived as a 30-minute travelogue into Egypt, hosted by these two attractive performers, it might have been more entertaining. Unfortunately, Valley is saddled with a screenplay that manages to take what should be combustible (if predictable) ingredients involving an archaeological expedition, lost treasure, forbidden love and nefarious thieves and turn them into 86 minutes of mostly-unrelieved dullness. Oh, there's a 15-minute stretch that's not exactly dull, but it doesn't come anywhere near the level of excitement that is required. A dynamic star in the hero role would have helped, but Taylor is as wooden as he is handsome. Parker gives considerably more to her part, but there's little she can do with the role. Carlos Thompson is disappointing as Parker's no-good husband, and Kurt Kaszner fairly tired as villain. Robert Pirosh's direction is decidedly lacking in variety and energy.