Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lavish Hammer Version of Immortal Story, March 25, 2004
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!
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26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
HE is the face I can't forget......., January 16, 2002
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.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ursula - She who must be obeyed, August 12, 2002
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.
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