Vincent Price in Egypt

In ancient Egypt, the sculptor Tumos is in love with the beautiful Tenet, who lives in the palace and is soon to be ordained a priestess. To escape this fate, the two decide to flee, but the high priest Benakon beats them to it. Tumos manages to flee to his old friend, Prince Amenophis in the desert. Only a short time later, Amenophis learns that his father, the Pharaoh, has died and that he will now sit on the throne. Meanwhile, Tenet learns that she is the daughter of Benakon and will not become a priestess, but the wife of the new Pharaoh. Unaware that Tumos is still alive, she submits to her fate of becoming the wife of the Pharaoh. In doing so, she adopts the new name Nefertiti. When Nefertiti eventually learns that Tumos is alive after all, she orders him to create a bust of her face. The love between the two awakens, but Benakon does everything he can to prevent this, because Nefertiti is destined for the Pharaoh.

The world-famous bust of Nefertiti was taken as an opportunity to spin an adventure story about its creation in which her love for the sculptor Tumos is at the center. The role of the evil high priest Benakon is played by Vincent Price, who one would not necessarily expect in an Italian sandal film. The role of Tumos is played by Edmund Purdom, who was seen a few years earlier as The Egyptian.

German mediabook contains two versions

The German mediabook by White Pearl Classics / daredo includes two cuts of the film. One is the theatrical version and the other is an Extended Version that runs about 14 minutes longer. The Extended Version uses the same transfer as the theatrical version but reinserts the additional scenes from a worse image source. The transitions are a bit messy here, as there is always a brief fade in and out. We suspect that at least some of the alternate footage exists, and that's why the scenes couldn't be seamlessly spliced together. Since there is an alternative scene of Merith at the end, this hardens our suspicion. Basically both cuts should be seen as independent. For the theatrical version, some scenes were arranged differently and as already mentioned, there is alternative footage to see. Basically, you should preferably go for the Extended Version, as the characters are fleshed out a bit better there.

Runtimes:

Theatrical version: 86:35 min.
Extended Version: 100:14 min.

The theatrical version was compared to the extended version.

[00:04:10][00:04:10]

After Tanit leaves the room, Penaba is walking around restlessly.

Extended Version: 3 secs.


[00:05:38][00:05:41]

In the Theatrical Version, Tanit and Tutmosis walk to the side.

In the Extended Version, they run to the Nile, but hide as a group of soldiers pass by on the shore. Tanit looks out at the water and sees a boat. She thinks that the people on it are free. Tutmosis says that you don't appreciate freedom until you lose it. The two of them should keep it as long as possible. He gives her a kiss.

Theatrical Version: 2 sec.
Extended Version: 1:09 min.


[00:06:46][00:07:55]

In the Theatrical Version, Tanit is brought to Benakon. She bows to him, then he asks her if she knows why she was brought here. She guesses and confesses that she did not want to commit blasphemy. Benakon says that she met secretly with a young man and now the Gods demand a punishment. Because of her youth and position, he grants her a leniency. Tanit wants to know what will happen to Tutmosis. Benakon answers that the laws are mandatory and that he must be killed.

In the Extended Version, Tanit is taken to Penaba. A priest comes into the room a little later. He wants to know if it is still the same boy. Tanit says that she loves him. He condemns her stubbornness, but Tanit says that she only wants to live in freedom with the man she loves. She has had enough of life here and asks him if he knows where she comes from. He cannot answer her and says that he is here to break her stubbornness. Penaba urges him not to be so harsh. The priest criticizes her supervision and says that he will report everything to the high priest.

In the next scene, Tutmosis is shown working on a statue. His master says that it's hard when you don't sleep at night. He accuses another student of bad work, but he thinks it's because of the model. The model says that she is a dancer and can't stand still for so long. The master tells her to rest.

Theatrical Version: 1:37 min.
Extended Version: 1:51 min.


[00:10:45][00:12:08]

In the Extended Version, here now follows the scene in which Tanit is brought to Benakon.

IT: 1:37 min.


[00:21:04][00:24:05]

The Theatrical Version fades from Amenophis and Tutmosis to the next scene where they are standing in front of the tent.

The Extended Version also fades to Amenophis and Tutmosis standing in front of the tent, but here the priest is still standing with them. Amenophis wants to know what is going on. The priest thinks that God is everywhere in nature and asks Amenophis how he can believe that one head is his hand, another his legs and a third his head. He asks Tutmosis, but he said that a statue created by different artists would not fit together. Amenophis thinks that this sounds logical to his mind, but his heart doesn't quite believe it yet. The priest thinks that belief comes on its own when a thought hits the mind and suddenly the heart responds.

As the riders arrive, the Theatrical Version resumes.

Theatrical Version: 4 secs.
IT: 1:05 min.


[00:23:13][00:27:15]

Theatrical Version transitions from Tutmosis and Amenophis to the next scene in which Tutmosis is riding to the captain.

The Extended Version fades out to show an alternate scene of Tutmosis riding to the captain. Two guards stop him and Tutmosis says he is going to the Preceptor. Tutmosis is not stopped and says who he is and that he wants to see Tanit. The captain wants to have him arrested, but Tutmosis shows him the message from the new Pharaoh. Penaba recognizes Tutmosis and runs to Tanit. The captain reads out that Tutmosis is a friend of the Pharaoh.

Theatrical Version: 8 sec.
IT: 54 sec.


[00:25:14][00:30:02]

In the Theatrical Version, you see Benakon consecrating the sword. Tanit is led forward and has to kneel down.

In the Extended Version, Tutmosis finds Penaba, who has been murdered. He calls out to Tanit.

In the next scene, Benakon is shown performing a ceremony. He says that he wants to offer a sacrifice to the most powerful god of Egypt. He consecrates a sword and points to Tanit, who is led forward and kneels down.

Theatrical Version: 21 sec.
IT: 1:25 min.


[00:28:50][00:34:42]

Theatrical Version shows people cheering in front of the palace as the troops march in.

In the Extended Version, Merith rides to Tanit's house and sees the slain Penaba. She asks the dazed master where Tutmosis is. Then it cuts to the cheering crowd.

Theatrical Version: 7 sec.
Extended Version: 29 sec.


[00:30:13][00:36:27]

The Theatrical Version transitions from Amenophis to the scene where Benakon goes into Tanit's room.

In the Extended Version, there is also a crossfade. Benakon says to her that she is very beautiful and he is proud of her. Tanit hopes that she will be rejected by Amenophis. Benakon says that they must leave now, as everything is already prepared for their presentation, but Tanit doesn't want to until she knows what happened to Tutmosis. Benakon sends the servants away and closes the doors. He tells her that he is safe in a distant place. There he remains until she has become queen.

Theatrical Version: 3 sec.
Extended Version: 52 sec.


[00:34:39][00:41:42]

In the Extended Version, Merith dances longer for the men. Meanwhile, her aides sneak over to Tutmosis' prison cell.

Extended Version: 25 sec.


[00:41:52][00:49:21]

In the Theatrical Version, Amenophis helps Tanit up again.