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Customer Reviews

She Who Waits

2007-12-16
Hammer's 1965 version of She can't match Merian C. Cooper's 1935 version for spectacle but it's still rather more handsomely mounted than you'd expect from the studio: location shooting, numerous sets and more extras than usual even if these descendants of Ancient Egyptians seem to have an army consisting of Roman legionaries. The most commercially successful adaptation of `the famous novel by H. Rider Haggard' (as the credits bill it), even inspiring a dreary sequel, The Vengeance of She, it's also surprisingly good, with rather more substance than you might expect.

Played partially as an old-fashioned adventure with far more action than any other version, the story is updated to post-WW1 Palestine, its explorers (Peter Cushing, John Richardson and mild comic relief Bernard Cribbins) now reimagined as demobbed soldiers uprooted by the war. "She who waits" is introduced into the picture surprisingly early and long before they reach her domain - here it is Ayesha herself who urges Leo to make the hazardous journey to prove that he is the reincarnation of her lost love. The second half makes more of the battle for Leo's soul, with more of an argument made against the temptations of eternal youth than in other versions, and the film goes to much darker places than its predecessors: this time Leo is lost long before the blue flame appears, and the end remarkably bleak. Being Hammer it also ups the sadism, not only in a mass execution of chained slaves but in the manner in which one character is `returned' to their family.

With Haggard's novel touching on the worship of beauty and youth above character or even basic humanity (She is so in thrall to her image of a lover that she blames herself for his infidelity) it's actually rather fitting that both leads are dubbed: Ursula Andress because of her thick accent - but then, no-one ever cast her for her voice - and John Richardson because, well, with his zombie-like vocal delivery that made him the Clive Owen of his day, acting never was his forte as long as he had the looks to get away with not having to. It's left to the bearded Peter Cushing's Holly to provide the weight of authority and make the case for growing old gracefully, which he does with effortless professionalism, while Christopher Lee's ambitious high priest Bilali is a far more interesting and less blindly devoted character here, adding another layer of moral decay to the crumbling kingdom. The production design makes a virtue of its relative economy, Kumar past its prime and on the edge of rebellion, the lost city itself long crumbled and the kingdom retreated into the very mountains, though the fact that the sets are smaller than they look and shot with long lenses to look larger is occasionally given away by distortion in some of the panning shots thanks to the still far from perfected Scope lenses. The special effects, though not always photo-realistic, are rather good in their old-fashioned way while James Bernard's score features a particularly memorable desert trek theme. All in all, one of Hammer's finer hours, and still highly enjoyable.

Warner/Canal Plus' Region 2 PAL DVD boasts no extras but an acceptable widescreen 2.35:1 transfer, though the title sequence looks somewhat faded.

A darned good flick, and Ursula Andress is stunning, as always

2007-11-17
I saw this film a long time ago when it was released in theaters, and I really enjoyed it. Although it does not slavishly follow the story in the H. Rider Haggard classic of the same name, it is close enough. The story is simple. Three British adventurers on a quest for immortality stumble onto a mysterious society ruled by Queen Ayesha (Andress) who is "She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed." Ayesha believes that one of the Brits, Leo Vincy, is the reincarnation of her former lover, who she killed in a jealous rage a thousand or so years earlier. (Ayesha is immortal.) There is more to the story, and in fact it all makes for a pretty good yarn.

I do not know why this one is not presently available on DVD, and I hope that it soon will be, as this is a pretty decent adventure flick, and the gorgeous Andress of course gives the viewing extra zippity-do-da.

What a wonderful way to waste a rainy afternoon.

2005-09-10
If you're the type of person who enjoys high camp. Then
you'll just love "She". Ursula Andress (or Undress as I called
her!). was one of the most un-talented actresses of the 1960s.
Yet she was able to carry off this bad adaptation of H.Ryder Haggar fantasy novel incredible well.
For those who have never read the novel. "She" is the story of
a three soilders, who are cast adriffed in what was then known as Palestine after the end of WW1.
The leader of the trio is an old soilder named Holly.
the second man is a more muscular fellow in his early 30s named Job.
And the youngest is an incredibly handsome man named Leo Vincy.
It is he that the story is centered on. For Leo is the object
of desire for the beautiful and undying Ayesha, eternal queen of the lost city of Kuma. A fabled city who's wealth and
power and greatness surpassed that of even Egypt itself.
Ayesha believes that Leo is the reincarnation of Kilicrates.
her Greco-Egyptian high preist and lover. Whom she killed in
a passionate fit of rage.
She has waited over 2000 years for his return. So that she can
bestow upon him her secret of eternal life, and have him
forever!
But first he must find his way to her lost city, and go through
a series of trials in order to be truly worthy of her great gift.
I won't go through the whole story, but it makes for a good
read. And the movie its self is good enough to spend a do nothing day watching.
I recomend it for both the story and its campiness factor.

They say a moth is attracted to a flame

2005-06-02
Well not quite the novel "She", by Henry Rider Haggard, but a little closer than earlier versions this movie and is quit fun to watch.

Three men back from the war, Maj. Horace Holly (Peter Cushing), Job (Bernard Cribbins), and Leo Vincey (John Richardson) are just aching for adventure. While having a good time in the local bar in Palestine, Leo is vamped by a beautiful exotic girl Ustane (Rosenda Monteros.) He gets abducted and is confronted by a mysterious and mesmerizing timeless beauty Ayesha (Ursula Andress). She gives him a ring and a map and she says "find me." His friend sees the ring and the map and says treasure. So they are off in the desert. They will soon find more than they expected, and so shall we.

The story does not quite follow the book but the adventure is still there.

Lavish Hammer Version of Immortal Story

2004-03-26
Hammer Studios went all out in the filming of their 1965 version of the acclaimed novel "She", by Henry Rider Haggard. While there has been disappointment with the way the source material was adapted for the screen it nevertheless makes a rousing and highly entertaining story in this film version and offered Hammer legend Peter Cushing another type of outdoor action role that he had not tackled for some time. The film benefited by a larger than usual budget which made it Hammer's most expensive film to that date. The extra expense was essential for the many scenes taking place in the sweeping desert regions mentioned in the story, many of which were photgraphed on location in Israel. Despite the changes made in the story "She", is best enjoyed on its own merits and makes great old fashioned "Boy's own" type entertainment.

Set in Palestine in 1918 "She", relates the story of three wartime buddies Maj. Horace Holly (Peter Cushing), Leo Vincy (John Richardson) and Job (Bernard Cribbons), who at the end of the war find themselves at loose ends in the Middle East with no real desire to return home to England. Encountering a beautiful and mysterious woman called Ustane (Rosenda Monteros), one evening in a nightclub Leo is lured away and then knocked out. When he comes to he discovers himself in a strange house where he encounters another beautiful woman who calls herself Ayesha (Ursula Andress). She reveals the purpose of why he was brought to her, which is that he is the reincarnation of her lost love Killikrates from two thousand years previously and that if he can find his way to her mythical city of Kuma he will not only possess her but all the riches and glory he could ever want. Seeking adventure Leo enlists the aid of his two friends and sets out with the aid of a map given to him by Ayesha to find the lost city of Kuma. Along the hazardous desert trail they encounter desert fighters who steal their water and camels and finally they are captured by the hostile Amahagger tribe who believe in human sacrifice. Just as the sacrifice of Leo is to take place since he resembles a portrait of Killikrates on a gold medal, they are rescued by the soldiers in Ayesha's army led by the mysterious high priest Billali (Christopher Lee). Led to Kuma they are finally brought into the presence of the mysterious Ayesha who it turns out has discovered the secret of eternal life by bathing in a special blue flame that keeps her young and beautiful forever. It is revealed that in a jealous rage two thousand years previously Ayesha killed her lover and has been waiting for his return ever since. Ayesha seeing that Leo has survived the test of reaching her city becomes determined to share her secret of eternal life with him so that they can rebuild the glorious civilisation that she once presided over as Queen. Despite her cruelty to those that oppose her which includes the unfortunate younger men of the Amahaggers and her servant Ustane who are thrown into a flaming pit, Leo becomes bewitched by Ayesha's beauty and promise of eternal life. As Holly and Job are preparing to leave however the remaining Amahuggers break into the city led by Haumeid (Andre Morell), who was also Ustane's father. In the fighting Billali is killed and just as Leo joins Ayesha in the sacred flame suddenly the process is reversed and Ayesha reverts to how she would look after two thousand years and dies. Leo elects to remain in the city in the hope that the blue flame will return one day so he can reverse the process which has now given him this unwanted gift of eternal life.

Visually this film is probably unequalled in the productions to come out of Hammer Studios. The stunning desert vistas, beautiful cinematography and well staged actions sequences all rank with the best Hammer work past or present. Peter Cushing has a more rogueish character to play here and as always his teaming with fellow Hammer veteran Christopher Lee is excellent with the two squaring off in one vivid scene set in a room full of mummified high priests. Ursula Andress has been critised for her limited acting ability however I feel she is perfect for the role of the mysterious, cool and cruel beauty Ayesha who never grows old. Her delivery is perfect in both the romantic and brutal scenes and rarely has an actress looked more the part of the eternal beauty than Andress does when garbed in her flowing white robe billowing in the breeze. Production on "She", was not an easy thing with troubles in Israel during filming and also the record temperatures on the desert locations proving a real trial for all cast memebers involved. The musical score used for "She", composed by James Bernard is also breathtaking and in the Ayesha scenes in particular has a lyrical haunting quality to it that heightens the romance of her pursuit of a lost love over two thousand years.

"She", makes very interesting viewing and as long as you dont expect a close following of the original novel is sure to entertain. Seeing the unique talents of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee together in the one film regardless of the size of their roles is always a treat but I think it is the mysterious image of Ursula Andress that will stay in viewers mind. She most definately becomes "She ...Who Must Be Obeyed", enjoy!

Ursula Who must be in DVD... 2003-09-30
I've enjoyed very much this movie, since the very first time I saw it in a late show. I would like have it in DVD but, at the present, I've found it in a Region 2 PAL british version only. Anybody knows when I can get it in a Region 1 NTSC format?

Ursula - She who must be obeyed 2002-08-12
I am writing this review here, re: the VHS, but I actually have the DVD which I cannot find in the Amazon store...still the movie is the movie whatever the format...and the review is simply for those who may never have seen this Hammer film.
Essentially, Ursula Andress (who is also in the fantastic epitome of the rainy Sunday afternoon stalwart...'Clash of the Titans'), is the Queen of a strange forgotten land who has lived for centuries due to a life giving fire, and who awaits the re-incarnation of the lost love she murdered centuries ago in a fit of pique, and this transpiring only then to be thwarted by the intervention of the jealous high priest (Christopher Lee). The book on which the movie is based is somewhat less Hammy (if you'll pardon the pun), but still the whole film has a certain class and if you like Hammer films, it is one of the best.
The ending is what makes it though...the special effects here are not so much sophisticated as downright terrifying and as a youth gave me awful nightmares for a while afterwards...didn't stop me wanting to see it again though as soon as I could.
Did I mention Ursula Andress is in it...OK, OK I'll wind me tongue in.

HE is the face I can't forget....... 2002-01-16
In this Hammer classic we are blessed with one of the eight wonders of the world. A blonde vision of incandescent loveliness that can but only fill our hearts with indescribable longing. Yes, we are talking about actor John Richardson. He plays war veteran Leo who is first seen watching a belly dancer with his ex-pat chums. He is eyed up by the servant girl of Ayesha, whom we meet in the next scene and is played by some actress called Ursula Andress. This servant girl immediately and understandably falls for the astonishing Mr Richardson, who is the only man in the world who would still look good in a mullet. After a brief flirtation with whats-her-name, Leo and chums set off for a hazardous desert trek to find the lost city where she hangs out. Leo looks stunning throughout, although half dead from injury and thirst. In a delirium he sees a vision of Ayesha with outstretched arms saying "come to me, Leo!" I know just how she feels. I mean, he feels. He must find her, but instead he is caught and is tied to two posts by some natives who need a human sacrifice. With shirt torn open, muscles rippling and blue eyes flashing like mesmerising rare gems, Leo thrashes his head from side to side as the spears get closer, closer! The bongo drums play louder as he sweats and writhes. My God, how much more of this Adonis....I mean, suffering can we take? Luckily he is rescued by soldiers from the lost city and laid to rest in bed for a while. His chest is incredible, even the hairs seem to be made from the golden fleece. Suddenly we cut to Ayesha heaving in her bed. Yes, yes, but let's get back to Leo. Later, they are both re-united on a balcony over looking the lost city and Leo is dressed in white silk with an open chest. Oh God, why did they leave out the whip? Ayesha expresses undying love and Leo's chums decide to leave. Disgraceful! They can't leave Leo in the hands of that...that...women. But fate plays a strange hand and the true message of the film emerges. It is better to resist the monstrous regiment of women and discover the true meaning of love and loyalty, that is the kind found when hanging out with one's chums. Leo is left an immortal, his beautiful face and taught, proud, sinewy body of a stallion doomed to stay young forever. I'm sorry, this is a tragedy? It's the happiest moment of my life. Mr Richardson, you are without doubt the most gorgeous man in the whole wide world. It's just a pity I'm not gay.

They Don't Make 'Em Like Ursula Anymore 2000-09-23
The sight of Ursula Andress alone makes this movie worth viewing. She has to be the most gorgeous actress to ever grace a movie screen. British horror vets Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee lend capable support.

1 star because i could not select 0 ... 2000-08-11
It's often said that no movie can ever do justice to a well written novel and nothing underscores it better than this movie. I read H.R.Haggard's masterpiece 20 years ago when I was in 9th standard and was totally mesmerized by it. I had ordered this movie with great anticipation and needless to say was sourly disappointed by this casual shoddy treatment of a great tale !!!

I hope someday Steven Spielberg would undertake the project to make a definitive version of this classic for i think only he can do justice to it.

Till than i am just gonna buy the two novels - "She" and "Ayesha:The return of she" and read them all over again. As for the VHS tape, i am just gonna toss it in the garbage bin and forget i ever saw this movie.