I've seen this a few times and it never makes sense even though surely the basic story is simple. Christopher Wicking never did like writing uncomplicated screenplays and Seth Holt's death during filming wouldn't have helped. Some of it is silly such as the convincing flashbacks to ye olde Egypt and there's little chemistry between Andrew Keir and Valerie Leon - Cushing (the original choice) would've been far better.
And yet... the film has as certain magic about it. The circumstances of its production of course, but also the bewitching Valerie Leon, all curves and flashing eyelashes - Hammer should have given her another lead, like Ingrid Pitt she was a star. Keir is professional and actors like James Villiers and George Colouris are excellent. It's fun seeing an Aussie bearded Mark Evans as Leon's love interest, called "Tod Browning". There's neat severed hands and fun costumes. It's very patchy but is its own thing.
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