The Mummy

In 1895, archaeologists John Banning, his father Stephen, and his uncle Joseph Whemple uncover the tomb of Princess Ananka in Egypt. They pry open the sarcophagus and awaken the legend of Ananka's desecration curse. Mehemet Bey warns them that the tomb should not be disturbed, but their curiosity overrules caution.

Stephen reads from the Scroll of Life and is seized by a scream that leaves him in a catatonic state. The ancient mummified high priest Kharis is awakened, bound to guard Ananka's tomb. The others realize a real, deadly force has been unleashed.

Three years pass and Stephen emerges from his catatonia in Engerfield, England, and informs John that Kharis has been resurrected by the Scroll. He warns that the mummy will hunt down anyone who desecrated the tomb. John struggles to accept the supernatural explanation but is shaken by his father's story.

Mehemet Bey travels to Engerfield under the alias Mehemet Atkil to avenge Karnak. He hires a pair of drunken carters, Pat and Mike, to haul the recovered mummy in a crate toward England. A mishap when the carters drive carelessly sends the crate into a bog, seemingly ending the plan.

Using the Scroll of Life, Mehemet Bey awakens Kharis and orders him to slay the Bannings' family, beginning with Stephen Banning. The zombie-like figure begins its approach from the bog toward the English countryside, leaving terror in its wake.

Kharis advances to the Whemple residence and kills Joseph Whemple, a crime witnessed by John. The murder confirms the mummy's literal rather than symbolic danger and escalates the investigation.

Inspector Mulrooney is assigned to the case but remains skeptical, insisting on cold, hard facts. He interviews townsfolk and begins to entertain the possibility that a real mummy might be responsible for the murders.

John notices that his wife Isobel bears an uncanny resemblance to Princess Ananka, deepening the mystery. Mulrooney's inquiries grow more complicated as paranormal clues challenge his belief in rational explanations.

Mehemet Bey sends Kharis toward the Bannings' home to claim the final victim. The tension builds as the mummy closes in on John and Isobel, and the family realizes the danger is personal and near.

During the confrontation, John tells Isobel to loosen her hair, breaking Kharis's hold on him long enough to slip free. The mummy hesitates to kill Isobel, indicating a possible residual humanity bound to Princess Ananka's memory.

Mehemet Bey orders Kharis to kill Isobel, then attempts to murder her himself. In a grim reversal, Kharis kills Mehemet Bey instead, demonstrating the mummy's loyalty to its curse rather than its master.

Kharis carries the unconscious Isobel into a swamp, pursued by John, Mulrooney, and other officers. Isobel regains consciousness and begs him to set her down, but the police open fire as Kharis sinks into the quagmire with the Scroll of Life.