Tut: The Boy King

Hosted by Orson Welles--who adds a touch of class, magic, and mystery to the proceedings--this 1978 television special looks at the history and legends surrounding the Egyptian boy king Tutankhamun, whose tomb was discovered in 1922 by archaeologist Howard Carter in the Valley of Kings. The program takes viewers on an artifact-by-artifact survey, relishing each extraordinary detail about the carving of alabaster, the ancient art of glassmaking and, of course, the astonishing gold wonders left in young Mr. T's 3,000-year-old tomb (Welles points out that Tutankhamun was a relatively unimportant ruler and actually had a "modest burial chamber"). Just as interesting are the personal effects examined here, including Tutankhamun's drinking cup, his childhood chair, a box of his hair, and love poetry written by his wife (to whom he was married at the age of nine). DVD extras include a photo tour of Egypt and answers to "Enduring Questions About the King." Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (T. Keogh)