The Mummy (1999) Filming Locations Revealed The iconic 1999 adventure film The Mummy , starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, wasn't shot in Egypt despite its ancient Egyptian setting. Instead, the production team cleverly used real-world spots in Morocco and England to capture that dusty, epic vibe, blending practical locations with studio magic for authenticity.

Morocco: Heart of the Desert Action

Morocco stood in for Egypt's scorching sands and bustling cities, thanks to its matching architecture and climate—no heavy CGI needed for those sweeping dune chases.

  • Marrakech doubled as Cairo, with its vibrant souks and medina streets bringing the chaotic marketplace scenes to life.
  • Erfoud area and Gara Medouar crater (near Errachidia) became the lost city of Hamunaptra; this dormant volcano fort and vast dunes provided epic vistas for camel races and tomb entrances, scouted for their "pure beauty" of cliffs, mountains, and rock expanses.
  • The Sahara shoot lasted 16 weeks, with Royal Moroccan Army support amid challenges like animal hazards.

England: Ports, Docks, and Sets

Heading to the UK added Nile River illusions and interior builds, leveraging historic sites for that old-world feel.

  • Chatham Historic Dockyard, Kent recreated the Port of Giza, where Rick O'Connell's crew boards a ship; a custom vessel was built here, a spot also used in Les Misérables.
  • Studio work at Shepperton Studios handled caves and the City of the Dead, using measurements from Morocco's Gara Medouar.

Location| Role in Film| Why Chosen
---|---|---
Marrakech, Morocco| Cairo streets| Similar to Egyptian markets, hot climate 1
Gara Medouar, Morocco| Hamunaptra entrance| Dramatic dunes, ancient fort crater 5
Chatham Docks, England| Port of Giza/Nile| Historic docks for ship scenes 1

Other Mummy Versions for Context

Fans often mix up the versions—here's a quick multi-view breakdown:

  • 2017 Tom Cruise reboot : Shot in England (Natural History Museum, Waverley Abbey, Old St. Martins), Namibia's Namib Desert, and Surrey's Winterfold Forest.
  • 1932 Boris Karloff classic : Mostly California studios, like Red Rock Canyon for some exteriors.
  • No major Mummy Returns details trended here, but it reused similar desert spots.

Fun storytelling tidbit: Director Stephen Sommers' team raced camels across those Moroccan expanses, capturing raw energy that made the film's action pop—proving real locations beat green screens every time. Trending chatter on forums still geeks out over visiting Gara Medouar today.

TL;DR : Primarily Morocco (Marrakech, Erfoud/Gara Medouar) for deserts/Cairo and England's Chatham Docks for ports—pure adventure magic without setting foot in Egypt.

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