From grand follies to misunderstood masterpieces, disastrous sequels to catastrophic literary adaptations, Tim Robey’s hugely entertaining new book Box Office Poison tells an alternative history of Hollywood, through a century of its most notable flops.

To mark its publication, we’re screening an infamous flop selected by Tim – Howard Hawks’ historical epic, Land of the Pharaohs (Martin Scorsese’s favourite guilty pleasure, no less).

Obsessed with his fate in the afterlife, the egotistical Pharaoh Khufu (Jack Hawkins) recruits oppressed architect Vashtar (James Robertson Justice) and forces him to design the most lavish and well-secured pyramid ever built. As construction begins, Khufu's new wife, Princess Nellifer (Joan Collins), plots to secure her own piece of the tyrant's riches.

Presented in partnership with our friends at Bookhaus.

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