Charles Austin Miller

30th Jun 2018

The Mummy (1999)

Question: What is the tattoo on Rick's right hand between his thumb and index finger, and its meaning?

Answer: This small tattoo in the first movie is the Eye of Horus, an ancient Egyptian symbol bringing fortune, protection and good health. Just a good luck charm. It only appeared on Rick's hand in the first movie and was absent in the second movie, "The Mummy Returns." Apparently, the screenwriters wanted to expand the story of the tattoo, so they changed the symbol, its location and its meaning in the second movie: The new tattoo was that of the Medjai (a 3000-year-old cult of Egyptian royal guardians sworn to oppose the evil Imhotep). We learn that Rick got this tattoo when he was an orphan in Cairo. The screenwriters moved the tattoo to Rick's wrist (hidden by his leather wrist band) in the second movie.

Charles Austin Miller

30th Jun 2018

The Mummy (1999)

Question: What is the purpose of the leather wrist band Rick wears on his right wrist?

Answer: The wrist band was not explained in this first movie. In the second movie, "The Mummy Returns," we learn that the leather band covers a tattoo of the Medjai, a 3000-year-old cult of Egyptian royal guardians whose purpose was to oppose the evil Imhotep. Rick was given this tattoo (or brand) when he was an orphan in Cairo.

Charles Austin Miller

Answer: Leather cuffs were also worn by gunfighters for protection and to stop sweat from running down onto your gun hand. So there's a practical reason for a gunfighter like Rick to have it, plus the all-important "Rule of Cool!"

Answer: The purpose of Rick's leather forearm cuff is protection. It's a common piece of 'armor' worn to protect the wrist and forearm from many kinds of harm. It can be used as a kind of brace or shield. You could block a blow with the back of your forearm and not be injured. Since Rick only wears one on his dominant arm I would guess this is what he mainly wears it for. It's just another piece of functional 'equipment' like his leather holster harness.

3rd Apr 2017

The Mummy (1999)

Question: Anyone know what Beni said to Rick? I'm referring to what he said (I'm assuming Hebrew) before Rick said "What did you say?!" followed by "I'm not gonna tell you" by Beni.

Answer: Beni: As long as I serve him, I am immune. Rick: Immune from what? Beni: Piszkos állat [this is Hungarian for "filthy animal," an insult directed at Rick]. Rick: What did you say? Beni: I don't want to tell you. You'll just hurt me some more.

Charles Austin Miller

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