Awakening, The
Date: 1980
Director: Mike Newell
Production Company: EMI Films
Stars: Charlton Heston, Susannah York, Jill Townsend, Stephanie Zimbalist, Patrick Drury
Location(s): Cairo, Giza and Luxor (Egypt), Cambridgeshire, London, New York
Region(s): London A-B, N. America, Rest Of The World, South East A-D
Storyline:
An archaeologist discovers the tomb of an ancient Egyptian queen, unleashing a malevolent curse that begins to consume his family and his own life.
Additional Information:
Page compiled by Steve Randall
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- Capture 1
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Archeologists Matthew Corbeck (Charlton Heston) and Jane Turner (Susannah York) discover the long-hidden tomb of Queen Kara in the Valley of the Kings, Egypt.
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Jane is staying with Matthew and his pregnant wife Anne in a house close to the excavation site.
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Returning to find Anne has gone into premature labour, Matthew rushes her into hospital. The lightened shot shows the side of a pyramid, with Giza site buildings in the background.
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While Anne is giving birth, Matthew tries to bring the mummy of Queen Kara to England to preserve it. Matthew reacts as an official attempting to stop the excavation is killed in a freak accident. Valley of the Kings at Luxor.
- Capture 5
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Matthew visits the hospital to tell Anne he has to complete his work and bring the mummy to England. Heliopolis Palace (AL Ittihadiya Palace), Cairo, Egypt
- Capture 6
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At the museum, Matthew's discovery is welcomed, but neglected Anne leaves him and returns to America with baby Margaret. Mit Rahina Museum, Giza, Egypt
- Capture 7
- 23 May 2026
Eighteen years later, Matthew is a university professor and married to Jane. University College, London.
The car park has been replaced by re-manicured lawn and a loss of trees. SJ
- Capture 8
- 23 May 2026
Matthew heads for his office where he learns that the mummy in Egypt is infected with a virus. University College, London
The north side of the quadrangle with, unfortunately, ongoing works. SJ
- Capture 9
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Meanwhile Margaret is growing up in the United States. Central Park, New York City.
- Capture 10
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Margaret (Stephanie Zimbalist) visits the zoo. Central Park Zoo, New York. USA.
- Capture 11
- 13 Dec 2025
Jane leans over the semicircular balcony of the couple's home. Hamilton House, 14 West Grove, Blackheath, London SE10, with a view of the adjacent house, 25 Westgrove Lane, in the background, and houses in Diamond Terrace to the left.
The best I can do is show the adjacent upper floor window from ground level, as a spooky emoji looks down on me.
- Capture 12
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Jane drives Matthew to Heathrow Airport for a return trip to Egypt, emerging from the airport tunnel.
- Capture 13
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Matthew emerges in Egypt. Midan Al Hussein, Cairo.
- Capture 14
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The mosque where Queen Kali has been put on display. Citadel of Salah Al-Din, Cairo
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Panning down, we see more of the citadel of Salah Al-Din.
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In the citadel, Matthew insists that the mummy be returned to England for preservation. Citadel of Salah Al-Din, Cairo, panning right.
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Dr. Khalid (Bruce Myers) is determined to stop Matthew, but as he leaves he is struck by a car in a freak accident and killed.
- Capture 18
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Margaret is seen returning to her US home.where she tells Anne, she intends to visit her father in England. Unidentified location.
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In London, Margaret meets Matthew's assistant Paul (Patrick Drury) and they visit the theatre. Cottesloe Theatre, Upper Ground, South Bank SE1, renamed the Dorfman Theatre in 2014.
- Capture 20
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Paul says the play was incredibly moving as the couple walk around the National Theatre Terrace with the Hayward Gallery behind them.
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Margaret accuses Paul of nodding off during the performance. Behind them the southern end of Waterloo Bridge.
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They agree the play was boring. Looking north across the Thames, with County Hall on the left.
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As they go to eat, we see the north bank and St. Paul's Cathedral in the distance.
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Matthew takes Margaret to Egypt to see Queen Kara's tomb. Luxor Temple, Luxor.
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Margaret sits on a high rock. Luxor Temple.
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Margaret visits the site of the excavation. Exploring the tomb, Matthew's assistant is killed in a freak accident. Valley of the Kings at Luxor.
- Capture 27
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Checking out some prophetic writings from the tomb, Matthew visits an astronomer. Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory at Lords Bridge, Barton Cambridgeshire.
- Capture 28
- 13 Dec 2025
He telephones his wife who is at home and tells her to destroy some jars he had collected from the tomb. Hamilton House, 14 West Grove, Blackheath.
The house today, with a new porch.
- Capture 29
- 13 Dec 2025
In a freak accident, Jane tumbles from the balcony and dies. Hamilton House, 14 West Grove, Blackheath
The semicircular balcony seen from the other side.
- Capture 30
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At the funeral, Paul confronts Matthew about his obsession. Kensal Green Cemetery, Harrow Road, W10.
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Margaret is driven away visibly shaken. Kensal Green Cemetery on Harrow Road W10.
- Capture 32
- 23 May 2026
The grisly conclusion takes place inside the walls of University College on Gower Street WC1.
By contrast, a bright morning's view. SJ