The Awakening (1980)

Synopsis

The movie The Awakening (1980) is a British horror film directed by Mike Newell. It is based on Bram Stoker’s 1903 novel “The Jewel of Seven Stars.” The story follows an archaeologist named Matthew Corbeck who discovers the tomb of an ancient Egyptian queen named Kara. When his wife gives birth to their daughter Margaret, strange occurrences begin to happen, suggesting that Margaret is possessed by the spirit of Queen Kara[1].

As Margaret grows older, her behavior becomes increasingly erratic and disturbing. Matthew becomes obsessed with the idea of resurrecting Queen Kara through his daughter. He believes that by completing the ritual, he can bring the queen back to life and rule alongside her. However, his actions unleash a series of terrifying events and put the lives of those around him in grave danger[2].

The movie The Awakening (1980) explores themes of obsession, ancient curses, and the consequences of tampering with the supernatural..

Cast

Charlton Heston as Matthew Corbeck
Susannah York as Jane Turner / Queen Kara
Jill Townsend as Anne Corbeck
Stephanie Zimbalist as Margaret Corbeck

Trivia

The Awakening (1980) is based on Bram Stoker’s novel “The Jewel of Seven Stars,” which was first published in 1903[2].
The film marks Mike Newell’s directorial debut[2].