Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb

2020 1h 53m EN

👍

7.3

SOLID

⭐

7.2

IMDB

★7.3TMDB · 159★7.2IMDB · 7,531

Documentary

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

This documentary follows a team of local archaeologists excavating never before explored passageways, shafts, and tombs, piecing together the secrets of Egypt’s most significant find in almost 50 years in Saqqara.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Salima Ikram
Self

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: James Tovell
Languages: Arabic, English
Countries: Egypt, United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 6

ERA

Did you know

Released 6 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 6

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: Arabic, English.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 6

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: Egypt, United States of America.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 6

ERA

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 6

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Michael Rolt shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 6

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt13150630 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

Cinephile deep dive

The take

James Tovell directs. Michael Rolt cuts. Produced in Egypt, United States of America. Dialogue in Arabic, English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 6 years ago.
2Dialogue crosses 2 languages: Arabic, English.
3International production across 2 countries: Egypt, United States of America.
4Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
5Editor Michael Rolt shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6IMDB entry: tt13150630 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
7Classified under 8 themes, including "archaeologist", "egyptology", "grave digging", "archaeological dig".

The technical file

Editing: Michael Rolt
Runtime: 113 min · 1h 53m
Status: Released
Original language: EN
IMDB: Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb (2020)
IMDB rating: 7.2/10 · 7,531 votes
MPAA: TV-PG

Also by

James Tovell

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

Peter McGinn2021-08-07
★ 8/10
Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb is a fairly interesting documentary if you are interested in ancient history and/or archaeology. It takes place at an archaeological site in Egypt, not near the Sphinx and the Giza pyramids, but 15 miles away near the Step pyramid. They are finding a lot of historical treasures, though not the more glamorous jewels or financial finds that make headlines. The movie tries to build up a sense of suspense by letting us know that unless they have major finds, their state-sponsored funding would expire when the Ramadan holiday arrives, so we are given several text reminders of how many weeks remain before that deadline. As a side note, one thing I liked was that this is an Egyptian archaeological dig and, as such, all of the workers, supervisors, consulting experts and even the dogs and cats, are local. We don’t have the typical European or American team trying to deal with the Egyptian officials. These people are excited about their work and take pride in it, right down to the ones who just. Sometimes it feels a little overstated how excited they get and how they feel that the bones are real people to them, but who am I to rain on the parade of people who truly love their work? This is a quiet film as you’d expect, with plenty of information about ancient Egyptian life. Having said that, I should also say that I watched it in two sittings, as I began to feel tired and this isn’t a movie designed to keep you alert if you aren’t inclined that way. But it is well worth watching if the subject interests you.

Production companies