The memorable ending was probably inspired by a brief comment by Herodotus, about how the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Herodotus calls him Cheops) was sealed solid. It's the earliest known writing on the events of the story and it was penned near a thousand years afterward. Needless to say, not much is known about the real Khufu; we only have an idea of what he even looked like, from a minor statue around his era that might be him (I've seen a photo of it, and--sonovagun--it does look a little like Jack Hawkins!).
In any case, not having much info to use, Hollywood was free to invent, and they did, creating a very entertaining and spectacular flick. It may not be history, but it sure is fun, and the pyramid-building scene is, logistically speaking at least, the most impressive sequence ever achieved by director Howard Hawks.
In any case, not having much info to use, Hollywood was free to invent, and they did, creating a very entertaining and spectacular flick. It may not be history, but it sure is fun, and the pyramid-building scene is, logistically speaking at least, the most impressive sequence ever achieved by director Howard Hawks.