Customer Reviews

Vengeance of She [VHS]

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Vengeance of She is a disappointing waste of 90 mins. She starts promising, with the beautiful Carol (Olinka Berova) walking aimlessly, drawn by torturous voices in her head. She meets a phsychiatrist, Dr. Phillip Smith, who for some reason (probably to reach boyfriend status) decides to join the young woman in her quest to nowhere. These two find a lost city where live the immortal ones. Here in the "lost city" King Killikrates is having Carol lured to them to assume the identity of Ayesha. Carol is not SHE or her or Ayesha...whatever. The King and his mystic are just making her or She.......Carol just think that she is SHE. That's the plot! This happens to be the most convoluded mess to come out of Hammer studios. I usually adore Hammer Productions but this is like a slow death. I'm not really sure I understand why SHE seeks vengeance. If you want to see an interesting tale of beautiful women weilding weapons watch The Viking Queen. Lots more action, and less identity crisis

Look at the rating and that explains it all. I've read some reviews where the reviewers went over the relative breast attractions of the starlets, and recommended a different flick because the main gal bared it all (and only because she did) - this is a "G" rated movie.

"Vengence of She" is safe and sanitary, with some fights, a little mature hint of marital dissatisfaction, a woman in her undies swimming, but overall this is a film fit for Disney. Compared to some realistic Disney evening shows of late, it is even a little tame. Fit for Disney means it isn't going to shock jock, skin flick the audience, and that the acting isn't going to be too far off base - quiet staid, actually. This movie almost tries to reduce or exclude wild action or hot romance. It's one of those old movies where nudity was perverse but killing someone in hot blood is okay - although I'd personally watch a naked woman rather than a killing any day.

You have to watch it either because you like the general genre of "She" or you want a fairly sanitary flick to watch when your sanity is pressed by the continuos outrageousness of some more modern shows. I myself have seen some old black and whites which were more interesting, if nothing else because the G-rated acting was more lively. But, since I have a passing interest in the Haggard books made to film, I bought it and watched it. Okay for a casual view and pretty good quality recording.

You won't find a blonde in a pink mini-skirt wielding a whip like the picture on the cover, but Olinka Berova (hired to replace Ursula Andress in this sequel to "She") still looks pretty spectacular in the white chiffon gown that she wears in the film's final scenes, when she returns to the underground lost city with the blue flame and we find out if she really is Ayesha reincarnated from the first picture. This is a surprisingly good-looking film, with gorgeous shots of the Mediterranean and a very clear digital transfer. I especially enjoyed the 1960's vintage TV and movie trailers that reminded me of what movie ads looked like back then before CGI-created titles.

I was so glad when on a whim one day I noticed that old Hammer horror titles previously released by Anchor Bay Entertainment appeared to be getting a re-release. Boy, was I wrong about that! Don't be fooled. DVD-R's are no substitute for a real factory manufactured product. The pictures appear murky, bleeding and washed out even though its obviously a direct burn from a genuine Anchor Bay DVD. The sound drops in and out. I played each disc on 3 different players manufactured by 3 different companies. In all I wasted $20 dollars a piece on 3 of these pathetic knock offs. Originally when I purchased these titles there was NO mention of them being bootleg quality DVD-R's. I don't know who's ingenious idea it was to propose such a gross misuse of wasted effort. Either shame on Anchor Bay or shame on Amazon for perpetuating such poor quality knock offs at such an absurd price. They even use the original Anchor Bay DVD's cover art printed by a laser printer however most of the special features listed will not appear.

I.E. - The Legend Of The 7 Golden Vampires does not include the U.S. cut of the film as mentioned.

What a crime in itself either release the film correctly or don't bother at all. What a tease. What a waste of my money and time.

The movie had this been a genuine product released through Anchor Bay would've received 5 stars.

I threw my money away on:

Dracula Prince Of Darkness

Frankenstein Created Woman

The Legend Of The 7 Golden Vampires

Save your money until somebody with half a brain decides to do the right things with the old deleted Hammer titles. I'm still very dissatisfied with this scenario.

"The Vengeance to She" is the sequel to Hammer Film's very popular "She." Unfortunately, not only does Olga Schoberova take over the role of Ayesha ("She Who Must Be Obeyed") from Ursula Andress, this 1967 film directed by Cliff Owen "updates" H. Rider Haggard's classic adventure story by making her a modern gal named Carol who cannot have a nice time on the French Riviera because she keeps hearing voices telling her to head east. Eventually she reaches the lost city of Kuma in Africa where she is worshipped as the reincarnation of Ayesha and wackiness ensues. This is one of those bad movies that becomes unintentionally funny. I suppose it might be more enjoyable as a double-bill with the original "She," assuming, of course, your standards for enjoyment decrease steadily over the course of the evening.

Had to try and boost the star rating on this one. This is a special film that will be appreciated by fans of 60's - 70's B movies and fans of the occult. It maybe isn't a great film, but it's substance is great! You just don't see movie's like this very often. Very entertaining!

Carol has disturbing dreams and wakes up screaming "Ayesha." She is also compelled to go to a secret destination. On the way she has many trials and tribulations. She also befriends a psychiatrist that is interested in helping her by following her journey. Anyone who tries to deter her form her quest is mysteriously killed in the style of the movie "Final Destination" (2000). What will she find there and is she actually Ayesha or the victim of mind control?

Many viewers like to say that "this is not like the book `The Return of She'"; for this movie viewers have to also get over the loss of Ursula Andrews and the absence of the whip (should be "G" rated). Once the shock is over this is quite a good movie.

The sets and scenes were well done. There was nothing unbelievable and nothing that looked like cardboard. The blue flame looked familiar to the original "She" Viewers.

The cast was well chosen for the movie. Of course there is Olinka Berova (Schoberov?) as Carol. She faithfully does a convincing job of playing a confused Carol/Ayesha. Another surprise is Colin Blakely. He plays a rich yacht owner (George) in this movie and played a rich yacht owner (Sir Horace Blatt) in Agatha Christie's "Evil Under the Sun" (1982)

I'll explain my title blurb in a moment.

"The Vengeance of She" is a 1968 Hammer film (British) and is more of a remake than a sequel to Hammer's 1965 "She" with Ursula Andress. They're both of about the same quality, but I prefer "Vengeance" (yes, even without Peter Cushing or Christopher Lee).

THE STORY: A beautiful blond named Carol (Olinka Berova) is plagued by voices calling her "Ayesha" and is drawn by a mysterious force toward the east. During her journey she meets Dr. Phillip Smith (Edward Judd) who decides to accompany her, likely because he wants to attain boyfriend status (even though he's obviously old enough to be her father). They travel through the desert and eventually reach a lost city in the mountains where Carol is greeted as the reincarnation of Queen Ayesha, the beloved of King Killikrates (John Richardson). Phillip is imprisoned and discovers the high priest's deceitful plan to obtain the secret of immortality.

Although the storyline is kind of boring you'll no doubt enjoy this film to some degree if you have an appreciation for Hammer films. What's it have going for it? Well, it's a serious adventure for one thing; don't expect any goofiness or camp here. It's got great locations including breathtaking shots of the Mediterranean coast. It also has one incredibly beautiful leading lady in Olinka Berova. Yes, Ursula Andress is gorgeous as well, not to mention ultra-charismatic, but Olinka beats her out by quite a bit IMHO. Olinka may lack Ursula's charisma but she makes up for it in gentle, sweet innocence. Seriously, Olinka possesses a quality that's rare today. The film's worth watching or owning just to behold this.

As to the "G-rated" issue, another reviewer -- "A Customer" (May 27, 2002) -- spends his entire review ranting about how mediocre the film is because it's rated G. First of all, the dvd is not rated G; it clearly states that the film is "unrated." Secondly, even if it WAS rated G at some point (like when it was originally released in theaters) it would be at least a PG or PG-13 today. Want proof?

- Olinka is shown for long shots in just her underwear. One scene shows her walking into the ocean where her panties are wet and clearly see-through. Does this sound G-rated?

- There's a farily long belly dancing scene where the girls are less than half-dressed. Does this sound G-rated?

- There are quite a few violent fights that end in death. Does this sound G-rated?

Suffice to say the reviewer in question doesn't know what he's talking about.

One last thing about this reviewer's piece. The guy appears obsessed with film ratings. Personally I never pay attention to these ratings. Why? Simply because a film is either great, good, mediocre or bad period. The rating is irrelevant. Does more gore, more nudity, more cussing, more overt sexual situations determine the worthiness of a film? Not to this viewer. Take "Secondhand Lions" for instance. It likely has a tame rating but -- so what? -- it's a great film. Seriously, I don't get this guy's obsession with film ratings, as if a handful of cuss words and blood make a film great. Maybe for 13 year-olds.

BOTTOM LINE: Although "The Vengeance of She" is not a hard R-rated film, it's neither a tame G-rated film either. It's worth watching or owning for the breathtakingly beautiful Olinka Berova, the fine locations and the serious spirit of adventure. It's major downfall is that it has a slightly boring vibe. If you appreciate Hammer films it's a must.

PERSONAL RATING: Borderline C+ or B-

The Movie came in good condition and I enjoyed it. The other movie Sinbaad The Sailor did not. The case was broken in two places. The movie played fair.