She (1965/I)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Robert Day

Writers:

David T. Chantler (screenplay)
H. Rider Haggard (novel)

Release Date:

18 April 1965 (UK)

Genre:

Adventure | Fantasy

Tagline:

SHE who must be obeyed! ...SHE who must be loved! ...SHE who must be possessed!

Plot:

After doing military service in the Middle East, British archaeologist Holly, his valet and his gorgeous...

Plot Keywords:

Reincarnation | Immortality | Cave | Beautiful Woman | Africa

Cast

Ursula Andress	...	Ayesha (She who must be obeyed)
Peter Cushing	...	Holly
Bernard Cribbins	...	Job
John Richardson	...	Leo
Rosenda Monteros	...	Ustane
Christopher Lee	...	Billali
André Morell	...	Haumeid (as Andre Morell)
Soraya	...	Soraya
Julie Mendez	...	Night Club Dancer
Lisa Peake	...	Night Club Dancer
Cherry Larman	...	Handmaiden
Bula Coleman	...	Handmaiden
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
John Maxim	...	Guard Captain
Oo-Bla-Da Dancers	...	Native Dancers
George Pastell	...	Haumeid (voice)

Runtime:

USA:106 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:U | USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

Associated British Elstree Studios, Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Hammer Film Productions

Trivia:

'André Morell' was re-voiced by George Pastell.

Quotes:

Ayesha: I am she who must be obeyed!

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Future Fantastic: Immortals" (????)

Younger man falls for older woman. Much, much older!!!

Ursula Andress ordering the execution of chained natives whilst wearing what looks like a bird costume; Peter Cushing and Bernard Cribbins cutting the rug with a couple of belly-dancers; Chris Lee wearing a stupid hat: 'She' might not be the greatest Hammer film of all time, but it certainly has its fair share of moments that make it worthwhile!

Based on the H. Rider Haggard adventure of the same name, this 1965 offering from the 'studio that dripped blood' sees a trio of adventurers—Holly (Cushing), Leo (John Richardson) and Job (Cribbins)—seeking the fabled city of Kuma, after they come into possession of a map that reveals its location. After risking their lives travelling through a desert, they arrive at their destination where they meet Ayesha, the immortal queen of the city, who reveals to Leo that he is the reincarnation of her dead lover Callicrates. Now, after 2000 years of waiting, Ayesha will do anything to keep him by her side for the rest of eternity.

Directed by Robert Day (who had previously helmed a couple of Tarzan movies and therefore would seem like an obvious choice for this adventure set in the 'dark continent'), 'She' is a lavish production that, whilst it might never be labelled a classic, has enough spectacle to make it worth a go.

As always, Cushing and Lee give solid performances, and Cribbins is likable as reluctant adventurer Job; Andress and Richardson are rather wooden, but are easy on the eye. Also rather lovely is Rosenda Monteros, as Ustane, a native girl who almost succeeds in luring Leo away from the manipulative Ayesha.

If you're a fan of Hammer films in general, and are partial to a bit of exotic adventure set in far flung lands, then 'She' should fit the bill rather nicely.

6.5 out of 10, rounded up to 7 for IMDb.