Mysteries of Egypt

Now Showing in 2D IMAX!

View the Mysteries of Egypt trailer

 

Mysteries of Egypt, the first IMAX film from National Geographic, unlocks the myths and reveals the masterpieces of this fascinating empire that began some 5,000 years ago.

Egypt is captured for the first time on the giant screen, through a tale that could only be told by National Geographic and brought to life by Omar Sharif, the audience’s guide into the Mysteries of Egypt. Receiving exclusive access to the Nile Valley, National Geographic captures breathtaking aerial shots of the pyramids and gives the audience intimate views of the pharaohs’ treasures.

Through the magic of large-format cinematography, Mysteries of Egypt explodes onto an eight-story-tall screen, taking the audience on a thrilling rush over the Nile, the world’s longest river. The film then soars over the great pyramids of Giza, crosses the deathly quiet Valley of the Kings, and descends into the shadowy chambers of the sacred tomb of King Tutankhamun. The large-format screen allows the audience to truly experience the magnificence of Egypt.

As the first time co-producer Lisa Truitt looked over the massive stone pyramids and enormous structures marking the ancient Egyptian empire, she thought jokingly, “The pharaohs must have had these built for the giant screen.”

Based on an ancient Egyptian belief that death was not an end, but the beginning of a great journey, the Egyptians carved out a kingdom of limestone monuments, enormous pyramids, spectacular golden treasures, and mysteries that continue to fascinate the world.

Perhaps the most intriguing part of the history of Egypt is that these people went to a great deal of effort to tell their own story. Everywhere you look, on the walls and columns of the great temples and in the dark tombs of the pharaohs, there are symbols and signs teeming with information about a civilization that loved life.

The film transports the viewer to the time when the great pyramids were built, re-creating the scenes as archaeologists now believe they occurred. “We found the ramp that the workers used to move the blocks,” says Dr. Zahi Hawass, director general of the Giza Pyramids and Saqqara, and film consultant. “We believe the people who built these monuments were very proud and committed to this national project.”

Mysteries of Egypt also depicts the process involved in preparing a pharaoh’s body for eternal life. Reenacting the ritual, the film engages the viewer as Egyptians ready the body of the teenage pharaoh King Tut and carry it into his dark tomb.

The powerful tale of ancient Egypt is told by legendary screen actor and native Egyptian Omar Sharif (Doctor Zhivago, Lawrence of Arabia). He plays a grandfather enchanting his granddaughter, played by Kate Maberly (Secret Garden), with a great detective story of tombs and treasures.

Weaving the story of determination, discovery and tragedy of the British archaeologists who discovered King Tut’s tomb, the film uncovers the amazing accomplishments of this ancient civilization in fascinating detail.

Mysteries of Egypt is the first large-format film co-produced by National Geographic Films and Destination Cinema in association with NOVA/WGBH Boston, Museum of Science and Industry—Chicago, Canadian Museum of Civilization, and Centex Investment Limited.