The Awakening (1980)

**_Heston and Zimbalist head this intelligent and subdued supernatural horror_**

Shot in the summer of 1979, this was loosely based on Bram Stoker's 1903 novel “The Jewel of Seven Stars.” Hammer’s "Blood from the Mummy's Tomb" nine years prior was also loosely based on the book, and two others would come in the future: “Legend of the Mummy” (or “Bram Stoker’s Legend of the Mummy”) from 1998 and the indie “House of Ka” from 2023, the latter merely inspired by the book.

It’s major studio supernatural horror in the tradition of “The Exorcist,” “The Omen” and “The Amityville Horror.” The future “The Calling” from 2000 is a good comparison, as is Pierce Brosnan’s “Nomads” (1986). These movies tend to eschew the simplistic or sensationalistic staples of ‘B’ horror to focus on artistry, psychology and, in general, more respectable complexities, all with a much bigger budget compared to the typical horror flick.

Regrettably, it ranks with the least of these movies because the gobbledygook taken from (or inspired by) the source material is difficult to convey in cinema. The film could've done it more effectively and less ambiguously, not to mention more compelling. The biggest head-scratcher is the closing ritual which involves Kara's trickery. However, if you reflect on it, you can put the pieces of the puzzle together and everything makes sense, if indeed supernatural things can make sense.

I liked the figurative depiction of the universal struggle between spirit and flesh, that is, one’s positive side and destructive side. Plus, you can’t beat the authentic Egyptian locations; and the cast is good with Charlton Heston, Susannah York and Stephanie Zimbalist, amongst others.

It runs 1 hour, 40 minutes, and was shot in Egypt and England (Cambridge University and the London area, which is a couple hours’ drive to the south).

GRADE: B-