La valle dei re

This Classic film from 1954 was created by MGM and lots of money was put into its production. The photography in Egypt and the many historic sites are outstanding and this was done mainly because Television had taken hold of many families and they were staying home and watching their TV Screens in 1954 instead of going to the movies. Robert Taylor, (Mark Brandon) was an archaeologist in Egypt and was a rough and tough man who loved adventure. Eleanor Parker,(Ann Barclay Mercedes) meets up with Mark in order to hire him to explore some ruins which will confirm that the Bible story about Joseph were true. There is plenty of romance and dangerous sand storms and plenty of riding on camels backs through out the desert and secret tombs and secret doors.

I first saw this film when it was released in the UK. I was thirteen at the time. It will always be a favourite because it sparked off what was to become one of my greatest passions: anything and everything to do with Ancient Egypt and its remarkable impact on the imagination, ambition and sometimes greed of every civilisation that succeeded it. Yep, Robert Taylor was perhaps out of place but Eleanor Parker made up for the weaknesses and foibles of the plot. It's just a good, old-fashioned romp.

Valley of the Kings is directed by Robert Pirosh who also co-writes the screenplay with Karl Tunberg. It is suggested by historical data garnered from the book "Gods, Graves and Scholars" written by C. W. Ceram. It stars Robert Taylor, Eleanor Parker, Carlos Thompson, Kurt Kasznar and Victor Jory. Music is scored by Miklós Rózsa and cinematography by Robert Surtees.

The earth holds few treasures which have stimulated man's imagination - - and his greed - - - as much as the tombs of the rulers of ancient Egypt, the Pharaohs. This is the story of the search for the most fabulous tomb of them all. It begins near Cairo in 1900...

A tour of the marvellous sights of Egypt, with a tomb hunt and love triangle in the middle! That's how Valley of the Kings has often been likened too over the years, which while that has some semblance of truth, because Surtess and Pirosh's location work is that good, it detracts from the good human drama forming the narrative. There's some dastardly goings on in the mix, smouldering passions and a determination from Miss Parker's character to prove right her deceased father's notion that biblical Joseph was in Egypt at Ra-Hotep's reign. Action is not in short supply and the journey under taken by the principals is wrought with dangers of the human and nature kind. Cue sandstorm, scorpion, duel in the sand, horse drawn buggy chase, rooms of skulls, catacombs, knuckle fight on top of a statue, hieroglyphics and clues etched onto stone tablets! Everything you want for a sand swept adventure really.

Some back story.

It certainly should have been better, but there were many issues behind the scenes that didn't help. Pirosh himself felt that had he been allowed to develop the story how he saw fit then a better film would have been born out. He was being badgered by MGM chief Dore Schary, who along with his right hand man, Charles Schnee, were demanding script changes. Didn't help that there were frictions in the cast as well. Taylor and Parker had had an affair previously when making Above and Beyond in 1952, here in 54 Taylor was involved with actress Ursula Thiess, sure enough Taylor and Parker resumed their affair (one only has to see an amazing kiss scene to know this!). Thiess went off and made Taylor jealous elsewhere, which worked as Taylor left a crestfallen Parker to marry Thiess just as Valley of the Kings was being released. Amazingly, Parker would re-team with Taylor the following year for Many Rivers to Cross! Actors eh! Pirosh quit directing in 57, citing a distaste for behind the scenes power struggles as his primary reason for quitting.

Those in search of a high energy treasure hunt type picture will be disappointed here. Thought to be one of the 1954 films to influence Lucas/Spielberg for Indiana Jones, this is not frenetically paced stuff. Characters are afforded time to tell the story, the high energy points are placed selectively as the plot unfolds. But with enough twists and sub-plots along the way, the film thankfully is never dull. And of course there's the fabulous work of Surtees and Parker's beauty to marvel at as well! 7/10

Decent and breathtaking film about Egypt , ancient discoveries , mysterious tombs , Pharaons and anything else .As a tough archeologist called Mark Brandon : Robert Taylor , is searching for old tombs and Pharaoh Rahotep when is approached by gorgeous Ann : Eleanor Parker , who asks him for help , as they have to find clues that provide solid evidences of the Bíblical Joseph's travels in ancient Egypt. Later on , they join her hubby Philip , Carlos Thompson , though he does seem a little upset when Mark and Ann began making goo-goo eyes at each other. All of them embark on a risked travel plenty of thrills , treason , attacks , double-crosses , and killings . As Ann would like to prove that some Bible stories are, in fact, true while her husband is supposed to be helping Mark but is only out for himself.

The first Hollywood movie ever filmed on location in Egypt, as the natural backdrop is riveting and look mighty hot and to add refreshing touches of action to those parched desert sands . It turns out to be a workmanlike and sometimes thrilling flick that just lacks the surges of real excitement that might have turned into an adventure classy. An amazing , timely and thrilling story very well set in Egypt . On the whole this Valley of the Kings results to be a pretty good movie. It contains a twisted intrigue about an adventurer archeologist and a married woman to find the tomb of a Pharaoh , both of them undertake a dangerous journey through pyramids , deserts , the busy Cairo , and underground vaults plenty of tombs. Some scenes where two-fisted adventurer Robert Taylor shows up may well have influenced Spielberg when he came to shot similar pieces for Raiders of the Lost Ark. Two top-boxoffice players , Robert Taylor and Eleanor Parker, the latter proves to be a cool beauty. They are finely accompanied by a nice plethora of secondary actors such as Carlos Thompson , Kurt Kasznar , Victor Jory as a Bedouin Tuareg , Frank de Kova , Laurette Luez and Leon Askin

Rousing and impressive musical score by the classic composer Miklos Rozsa who realizes an attractive soundtrack in his usual style . It contains a colorful and evocative ciematography in Eastmancolor by Robert L Surtees, along with marvelous production design by Cedric Gibbons , MGM usual . Shot in Egypt and showing real monuments and pyramids .Including sightseeing from Abu Simbel, its wonderful exteriors and interior , formerly having been buried under lake Nasser for the building of the Aswan dam . This spectacular place was subsequently cut into large blocks , moved and transported uphill at late 60s to save it from being flooded. There , at Abu Simbel , takes place an overwhelming fighting between two protagonists , Robert Taylor and Carlos Thompson, to get their purports . Other locations include Great pyramids Giza , Keops , Kefren , Mizerinos and pyramid of Zoser , Cairo , Luxor , Mount Sinai with Monastery of Saint Catalina , Suez Egypt , Faiyum and Libya. The motion picture was professionally directed by Robert Pirosh , though it has some flaws , failures and gaps . Pirosh was a decent writer as Quaterback , I married a witch , Son of the Islands , Wizard of Oz , Battleground , Winning ticket , and director who shot a few films as Spring reunion , The girl Rush , Washington story. Rating 6/10 . Acceptable and passable . Well worth watching .

I really enjoyed looking at both actors. Robert Taylor with his piercing blue eyes and handsome profile. It was a real pleasure just to look at him. And Eleanor Parker is Eleanor - always beautiful, calm and elegant as ever.

The chemistry between Robert Taylor and Eleanor Parker was very good. I felt the characters themselves were well-portrayed.

The only let-down was the plot and the Director.

It started so well but you find that some situations did not make sense and you felt the direction of the film was everywhere and going nowhere. It didn't flow jumping from one place to another then started to lag half-way through the movie.

The budding romance between Robert Taylor and Eleanor Parker didn't make sense either. I mean if you were Eleanor's husband would you leave her constantly with Robert Taylor shouldn't the husband be more attentive. He was practically throwing them together and didn't seem too unhappy when her affections had changed direction. Such one dimensional character is almost too painful to watch.

It was then pretty obvious from the beginning who the villain would be but watching Philip Mercedes against Robert Taylor, well it was just too obvious.

It was such a shame considering this film had so much potential and who knows, with a better Director and stronger plot this could have turn into a box-office hit.