La venganza de la momia

Are all the plots of Mummy films the same? It seems like that to me. Even those Brendan Fraser ones has the mummy being some evil guy murdered for being a dick then being reanimated only to look for the reincarnation of his lover and enabler. This one, like that one, and Voodoo Black Exorcist, has that plot.

Paul Naschy is the jerk Pharoh who thought that murdering loads of women for a laugh was a long-term career move, so when his side-kick murders him and his missus he vows revenge, which he doesn't get as by the time his ancestor gets him resurrected the guy who killed him is long dead. Nevertheless, it's strange that the daughter of the guy who arranged to have him dug up looks a lot like that chick who was involved in all that blood drinking.

Yeah, the plot's boring and crappy but the execution of said plot is not, despite Jack Taylor being the bland hero. This is because Naschy knows what horror fans want, so the mummy cuts a swathe through London's cops and anyone else who gets in his way, including some security guard who gets his head crushed for his trouble.

It's business as usual to be honest, but if you like Paul Naschy films, you'll like this one. He doesn't put a foot wrong and even has a random bit of gore when the mummy goes around smashing his victim's heads like they are over ripe melons.

Somewhat atypical Mummy movie which, however, does not escape the deadly dullness that characterizes this subgenre – even if the monster himself is able to speak and his attacks are particularly vicious (a man's head is crushed, another's is thrown into a fire, and a succession of women have their faces slashed)!

Paul Naschy plays a dual role as a mummified sadistic Pharaoh revived – to exact the usual curse (on just a handful of archeologists, a sure sign of the film's low-budget: another is its borrowing for the underscoring of one scene of the main theme from Mario Bava's THE WHIP AND THE BODY [1963], while the rest emerges as reasonably rousing) – by his present-day (and just as mean-spirited) ancestor. Aiding him is "Euro-Cult" favorite Helga Line' (this is already the third film of hers in my current marathon) – but, apparently, the Mummy has other plans for her, no matter that she is obviously not a virgin! – and, again par for the course, is the fact that a young woman involved with the archeologists is a dead-ringer for the Mummy's long-lost love!! Perhaps the film's most effective moment is the suspense built during a scene in which she is drawn to the Mummy's hiding-place while visiting Naschy's house, with her instinctive passage eventually obstructed in the nick of time by Line''s appearance at the top of the stairs.

Jess Franco regular Jack Taylor is the hero (as already mentioned, hilariously, he turns up for a showdown with the villains flanked solely by his female companion, which ultimately sees the two Naschys shrieking in pain after being set on fire!) – his previous collaboration with the nominal star in DR. JEKYLL VS. THE WEREWOLF (1971) was an altogether more satisfying venture. Though this is the Spanish (and, thus, chaste) version of the film, it features the atrocious (and noise-riddled) English-dubbing – which did not help my involvement any!; at least, though, the correct aspect ratio (i.e. widescreen) was maintained.

A correct and estimable horror film starring Paul Naschy embodying nothing less than the Mummy.

In this case the story revolves around a cruel and sadistic Pharaoh who along with his queen enjoys executing innocent young people. But the fun ends when a priest decides to end forever the diabolic couple, stabbing her and burying him alive, but not before swearing eternal revenge.

After the centuries, the once powerful pharaoh, will return from the underworld in the heart of London, now become a monstrous mummy, unleashing his fury on those who have the bad luck to cross his path.

The film has a more than acceptable technical section, both in photography and decorated giving it an aspect of a film of the Hammer, really could pass without problems by a movie of the legendary British producer. The film is also really set in the British capital which is a very positive point.

As much the interpretations of the North American resident in Spain Jack Taylor as the one of Paul Naschy rayan to a good level without forgetting like no, to the feminine beauties that appear in all production of Spanish Fantanterror that boasts.

A decent and acceptable horror movie that without being a wonder is entertaining and well done.

Vengeance of the Mummy, The (1973)

** (out of 4)

Spanish horror film has Paul Naschy playing three roles including a mummy who returns to life after 1000 years to seek vengeance and regain his long lost love. Sadly I had to view this in a poor quality, P&S, English dubbed bootleg so hopefully someone will release a legit, good copy. The film was simply decent but it's hard to judge without seeing it in its true form. Jack Taylor co-stars and steals the show but Naschy is okay in his duel human parts. His turn as the mummy isn't a total success but it's an interesting performance. The American dub has the mummy constantly moaning, sounding like he's in a porno so this gave off some unintentional laughs. The violence level is quite high with several throat slashings and head crushings.

Paul Naschy has a duel role as Amenhotep/Assad Bey, an ancient Egyptian mummified Pharaoh, and the high priest who brought him back to life. In order For Amenhotep to achieve immortality, Assad Bey has to kidnap nubile young virgins in Victorian London for blood sacrifices.

This film was supposedly released in both a cut version (for Spain and Mexico) and an uncut international version, but the uncut version apparently no longer exists. What it would have included is a mystery, as it is hard to imagine anything more gruesome than the "face-smashing" scene. Was there really more gore? Or was it nudity?

Regardless, this is a pretty good film overall with some decent makeup effects and the gore already mentioned. Tracking down a copy seems to be a challenge, and it has never had a proper DVD release so far as I am aware. Jack Taylor also appears, and it would be great to get an audio commentary from him before it is too late.