Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- grandiose
- operatic
- fatalistic
- classic cinema night
- historical epic marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly admired the film's immense pageantry, production scale, and Jack Hawkins's vigorous performance while finding its palace-intrigue story conventional and historically unconvincing.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The construction of Khufu's pyramid and the surrounding armies, laborers, ceremonies, and palace interiors dominate the film's visual identity.
Khufu commissions an impregnable pyramid as both a tomb and a permanent monument to his wealth and sovereignty.
Princess Nellifer uses her marriage to Khufu to pursue control over his treasure and political position.
The film presents ancient Egypt through lavish studio-era spectacle, stylized dialogue, and invented palace drama, prompting criticism for historical distortion.
Films like Land of the Pharaohs, and why
The Ten Commandments
shared ancient-world spectacle, palace intrigue, and lavish historical melodrama
Cleopatra
shared colossal production design, ancient Egypt setting, and dynastic power struggles
Quo Vadis
shared sword and sandal tradition, imperial ambition, and grand physical spectacle
Movie Details
- Director
- Howard Hawks
- Release Date
- 1955-07-24
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (112)
Cast
- Jack Hawkins
- Joan Collins
- Dewey Martin
- Alex Minotis
- James Robertson Justice
- Luisella Boni
- Sydney Chaplin
- James Hayter
- Kerima
- Piero Giagnoni
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Land of the Pharaohs about?
- Howard Hawks turns the building of Khufu’s pyramid into a lavish tragedy of imperial obsession, enslavement, and treacherous court ambition.
- What is Land of the Pharaohs like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Land of the Pharaohs as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Land of the Pharaohs violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Land of the Pharaohs as moderate.
- What did critics think of Land of the Pharaohs?
- Critics broadly admired the film's immense pageantry, production scale, and Jack Hawkins's vigorous performance while finding its palace-intrigue story conventional and historically unconvincing.
- Which films are like Land of the Pharaohs?
- Films with a similar feel include The Ten Commandments, Cleopatra, and Quo Vadis.
- How long is Land of the Pharaohs?
- Land of the Pharaohs runs 105 minutes.
- Where can I watch Land of the Pharaohs?
- In United States, Land of the Pharaohs is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
