Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs

Actor Christopher Lee (who starred in the 1959 film The Mummy) narrates this lavish IMAX documentary on one of the most enduringly intriguing aspects of ancient Egypt, where death was merely a gateway to the next world. Using computer graphics and dramatic reconstructions, Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs recounts the late-19th-century discovery of a cache of 40 mummies, including that of the legendary Ramses the Great and 11 other kings of Egypt. The tombs revealed much of what we now know about Egyptian culture, such as efforts to make the deceased's journey a pleasant one, as royals and other worthies were accompanied by luxurious art objects and their bodies were adorned with gold and perfumed with sacred oils. But the mummies also hid many secrets, and while modern-day archaeologists and scientists here explain what is known about the well-preserved bodies, they continue to seek further clues about the mummification process (recent DNA discoveries have enhanced the search for answers). The program notes that robberies have resulted in the loss of priceless art works, along with valuable insights into Egypt's advanced culture, and scientists today are still in a race against time to find other possible mummies before it's too late. Despite the extravagant production values, however, Mummies is rather shallow and skimpy on information, as is sometimes the case with IMAX eye candy docs. DVD extras include a “making-of” documentary, a “Meet the Mummies” educational section, and a quiz. An optional purchase. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)