She (1965)
One of the best-selling and most influential novels of all time is “She: A History of Adventure” by British author H. Rider Haggard, (1856-1925). The tale was originally serialized in “The Graphic” magazine from October of 1886 until January of 1887, then published in book form later that year. “She” has been adapted as a motion picture numerous times, although many of the adaptations were created during the silent era and are now lost. In 1964 Hammer Films decided to film a new version of Haggard’s classic, the first In color. When MGM signed on to distribute the film in America the studio offered additional financing, thus providing for a more sumptuous production than Hammer’s typical fare.
This week’s movie was “She” from Hammer in 1965, directed by Robert Day from a script by David T. Chantler. This version starts in 1918 Palestine. British war veterans “Leo Vincey,” (John Richardson), his mentor “Horace Holly”, (Peter Cushing), and Holly’s loyal manservant “Job,” (Bernard Cribbens), are enjoying alcohol and belly dancers to relieve the tensions of combat before returning home to England. A beautiful young handmaiden named “Ustane,” (Rosenda Monteros), leads Leo to her mistress, the immortal “Ayesha,” (Ursula Andress), and the priest “Billali,” (Christopher Lee). These two are convinced that Leo is the reincarnation of Ayesha’s lover “Killikrates,“whom she murdered in a fit of jealous rage centuries before. They convince Leo to set out on a quest for the lost city of “Kuma,” where Ayesha rules as Queen. If Leo can survive the challenges of this journey then Ayesha will make him immortal so that they can rule together forever.
For an adventure film this is not very exciting. Andress and Richardson are handsome to look at, but both their performances are wooden and dull. The actors had their dialogue dubbed over by more talented speakers, (apparently Nikki Van der Zyl and David De Keyser), but it doesn’t make the characters any more likable or involving. Cushing, Cribbens, and Lee are totally wasted in underdeveloped supporting roles that even these gifted actors cannot bring to life. Only Mexican actress Monteros rises to the occasion with her endearing but tragic character. This motion picture is a big disappointment.
The movie actually was quite successful at the box office, and in 1967 Hammer released a sequel called “The Vengeance of She.” Andress did not return for this picture.
The role of the belly dancer “Soraya” in the opening scenes was played by “Princess Soraya.” The actress’s full name was “Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiary.” From 1951 until 1958 she was the wife of “Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi” until the marriage ended in divorce. Therefore she had been the Queen of the Imperial State of Iran before becoming an actress! Her life is a more interesting story than this movie has to offer.