The Mummy (1932)

A group of archaeologists discover a tomb containing a 3,000 year old mummy (Boris Karloff). After being accidentally brought back to life, he takes the form of a modern Egyptian and searches for his lost love (Zita Johann) who he believes has been reincarnated. Directed by Karl Freund, this is the first and the best of the Universal mummy franchise. Four more mummy films followed in the 1940s and Universal rebooted the franchise in 1999 but this elegantly shot B&W original remains the template and the most spellbinding. Cinematographer Karl Freund (Lang's METROPOLIS) only directed nine movies (only 1935's MAD LOVE is of any interest) but this is his best directorial effort. It's all about the expert lighting and the sinister atmosphere that Freund generates. Very few horror films can be called poetic (Franju's EYES WITHOUT A FACE is another one) but surely this one qualifies. With David Manners, Zita Johann, Arthur Byron and Edward Van Sloan.