It’s remarkable how few films have explored the rich tapestry of Egyptian mythology and history for mainstream audiences—aside from earlier efforts featuring Jack Hawkins and Victor Mature. This offering from Polish director Jerzy Kawalerowicz centers on a made-up Prince, called “Ramses” (played by Jerzy Zelnik), who is trying to earn his ill Pharaoh father’s respect while contending with opposition from the High Priest “Herhor” (Piotr Pawlowski) and those manipulating the king. The young prince understands that their borders are vulnerable, and with intrigue everywhere, he realizes he must dismantle the priesthood's authority if he hopes to rule effectively. His predicament is complicated by his relationship with "Sarah" (Krystyna Mikolajewska), whose heritage is as Egyptian as Yul Brynner’s; after she gives birth to a son who eventually claims both red and white crowns, conflict erupts. The king desires the temples to relinquish their substantial golden wealth from within the labyrinth, but they refuse. Unbeknownst to him, he has a double named “Lykon,” who is enamored with the rejected priestess "Kama" (Barbara Brylska), enabling “Herhor” to maintain his influence. The narrative feels somewhat disjointed, drawing inspiration from various sources ranging from Dumas to Cecil B. deMille, but filming on location allows the visuals to take precedence against the backdrop of impressive temples and pyramids. Zelnik and Pawlowski both give thoughtful performances, though perhaps not overly energetic, as this story unfolds. Those familiar with Christian Jacq’s works may notice parallels in the conflicts between the priests serving the gods and the pharaoh who was meant to be their equal; the film effectively portrays these power struggles, alongside some discreetly depicted revelries. The production strives for authenticity, eschewing futuristic technology or advanced weaponry—instead presenting men wearing sandals with spears, woven shields, and chariots for commanders. I found the overall look of the movie quite genuine.

Source on TMDB