About Us

Press Room

For Immediate Release

Omar Sharif Returns to the Screen with Enchanting Tales in His Gift to Egypt

1 March 2001 – OAKLAND, CA: Legendary actor Omar Sharif captivates audiences with Mysteries of Egypt, the first National Geographic film to appear in IMAX^® and other large-format theaters. Currently, the film is appearing at Oakland, California's new Chabot Space & Science Center. In an engaging performance, Sharif returns to the screen as a grandfather enchanting his granddaughter and viewers of all ages with tales of the tombs and treasures of Egypt.

Weaving a story of determination, discovery, and the tragedy of the British archeologists who discovered King Tut's tomb, the film uncovers the amazing accomplishments of this ancient civilization in fascinating detail.

"He told me this was his gift to his country," Mysteries of Egypt co-producer Lisa Truitt says of Sharif's reasons for playing a leading role in the large-format film.

Actress Kate Maberly, who starred in The Secret Garden and Gulliver’s Travels, plays the part of his granddaughter. "It was amazing," says Maberly. Her favorite part of the film was when she and Sharif went down the Nile in a felucca, an elegant sailboat similar to those used in ancient times.

Maberly says traveling around Egypt with Sharif was great. "Everywhere we went, he was treated like a king," she says. 

Sharif is perhaps best known for his 1962 role in Lawrence of Arabia, for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He also starred in the movies Doctor Zhivago and Funny Girl.

"When we first presented the film idea to Omar, he said, 'Yes, I’d love to do it!'" says director Bruce Neibaur. "You can feel the passion in his performance." In the film, Sharif tells the story of an empire that has captured the world's imagination for thousands of years.

Egypt is seen for the first time on giant screens up to 8 stories tall with incredible footage that could only be filmed by National Geographic, renowned for their stunning photography and compelling stories. Capturing great moments in Egypt's history for the past 85 years, National Geographic received unique access to the country's treasures. The film offers a never-before-seen perspective, from breathtaking aerial shots to up-close views of the pharaohs' treasures. 

Wrapped in a grandfather's loving patience and laced with a treasure seeker’s desire, the film uncovers the Mysteries of Egypt-- the first large-format film co-produced by National Geographic Films and Destination Cinema in association with NOVA/WGBH Boston, Museum of Science and Industry-Chicago, Canadian Museum of Civilization, and Centex Investment Limited. The film's beautiful photography is captured on National Geographic's Web site at www.nationalgeographic.com.

###