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Summary

In eighteenth-dynasty Egypt, Sinuhe, a poor orphan, becomes a brilliant physician and with his friend Horemheb is appointed to the service of the new Pharoah. Sinuhe's personal triumphs and tragedies are played against the larger canvas of the turbulent events of the 18th dynasty. As Sinuhe is drawn into court intrigues he learns the answers to the questions he has sought since his birth.

Cast

Edmund Purdom

Sinuhe

Victor Mature

Horemheb

Peter Ustinov

Kaptah

Jean Simmons

Merit

Gene Tierney

Baketamon

Bella Darvi

Nefer

Michael Wilding

Akhnaton

Judith Evelyn

Taia

Henry Daniell

Mekere

John Carradine

Grave Robber

Carl Benton Reid

Senmut

Tommy Rettig

Thoth

Anitra Stevens

Queen Nefertiti

Michael Ansara

Hittite Commander

Henry Corden

Hittite Officer

Mady Comfort

Egyptian Female

Richard Allan

Student in School of Life

Sharon Jan Altman

Princess

Rama Bai

Citizen

Don Bender

Boy

Don Blackman

Nubian Prince

Geraldine Bogdonovich

Tavern Waitress

Brad Brown

Palace Soldier

George Bruggeman

Soldier

George Chester

Nubian Guard

Angela Clarke

Kipa

Edmund Cobb

Patient

Karl 'Killer' Davis

Libyan Guard

Carmen De Lavallade

Egyptian Dancer

Alvin Burke Deer

Boy

James Dime

Soldier

Franco Fantasia

Hittite Officer

Dede Gainor

Princess

Aurello Galli

Boy

John George

Man in Street (uncredited)

Mimi Gibson

Princess

Michael Granger

Officer

Yeghishe Harout

Syrian at Nefer's

Lars Hensen

Citizen

Kay Koury

Citizen

Paul Kruger

High Priest

Ian MacDonald

Ship's Captain

Tyler MacDuff

Cadet

Tiger Joe Marsh

Libyan Guard

Donna Martell

Lady in Waiting

Mike Mazurki

Foreman, House of Death

George Melford

Priest

John Mooney

Officer

Wilma Reid

Nefer's Maid

Peter Reynolds

Sinuhe - Age 10

John Roy

Servant

Lawrence Ryle

Priest

Paul Salata

Egyptian Official

Harry Shearer

Boy

Ray Spiker

Soldier

Saye Sumi

Nefer's Maid

Harry Thompson

Nubian

Alice Tissot

Old Woman Near the House of Death

Joan Winfield

Governess

Nico Minardos

Crew

Director

Michael Curtiz

Novel

Mika Waltari

Screenplay

Casey Robinson

Screenplay

Philip Dunne

Reviews

Geronimo1967

November 21, 2022

Edmund Purdom plays the title role in this scalpel-and-sandal melodrama that may be loosely based on "The Tale of Sinuhe" from the 12th and 13th dynasties (c. 1900 BC) as a physician and his friend who encounter the Pharaoh (Michael Wilding) in the desert and rescue him from a lion after he has had some sort of fit. "Sinuhe" becomes a wealthy and well patronised doctor to the court and to the rich and famous and the film takes us through his, and the kingdom's, ups and downs. Victor Mature plays his ambitious friend Horemheb; Peter Ustinov is great as the rather morally challenged "Kaptah" and Bella Darvi is super as the enigmatic "Nefer". The writing is a bit long-winded and the acting stilted, but Michael Curtiz keeps it just about moving until a rather flat ending.