The Vengeance of She

Hammer Films scored a major box office hit with the 1965 feature “She” starring Ursula Andress. The studio was eager to develop a sequel, but Andress was not interested in returning to the role. Hammer selected Czech actress “Olinka Berova,” (real name “Olga Schoberova”), to star in the next installment. Author H. Rider Haggard had written sequels to his 1887 novel “She: A History of Adventure” but these were not selected for development. Writer Peter O’Donnell, (best-known as the creator of the popular comic strip “Modesty Blaise”), created a screenplay that updated the action to the modern day. This version would be a remake of the original tale, but with the main roles inverted. “Kallikrates,” (John Richardson), is the immortal ruler of the lost city of Kuma. Olinka Berova is “Carol,” a young woman who is believed to be the reincarnation of his ancient lover “Ayesha.”

This week’s movie was “The Vengeance of She” from Hammer in 1968, directed by Cliff Owen and distributed in America by 20th Century Fox. “Carol” is a beautiful but troubled young woman compelled by recurring nightmares to seek her destiny in North Africa. In Monte Carlo she stows away on a yacht owned by a millionaire and his wife, (Colin Blakely and Jill Melford), and attracts the attention of their guest, psychiatrist “Philip,” (Edward Judd). Carol escapes from the ship to seek out the lost city of her dreams. Philip and yacht captain “Harry,” (George Sewell), set out to find the girl. Harry is killed, but Philip finds Carol and together they reach Kuma and encounter Kallikrates and the other mysterious denizens of the lost world.

The cinematography of Wolf Suschitzky and the special effects of Les Bowie are excellent, making this a gorgeous film to watch. Many of the supporting players are very good, with Judd, Sewell, Blakely, and Melford all turning in fine performances. Unfortunately O’Donnell’s script is an episodic mess. Far too much time is spent on tangential stories that detract from the main narrative. Carol is kidnapped by a rapist truck driver, and is captured and sold by slave traders, and participates with a mysterious mystic, etc. Some of these scenes aren’t bad on their own, they just serve little purpose in the overall film.

But what ultimately torpedoes this movie are the amateurish performances of Olinka Berova and John Richardson, (dubbed over once again by voice actor David De Keyser). Berova is certainly lovely, but she demonstrates no talent whatsoever as an actress. Richardson is a bit better, but neither of these central characters are the least bit believable or likable. With the limitations imposed on him by the inadequate script and cast, it is difficult to critique the direction by Cliff Owen, although there are several individual scenes that he handles well. It’s just not enough to save the picture. “The Vengeance of She” bombed at the box office and ended Hammer’s hopes of developing “She” as a franchise.

Haggard’s sequel novels include “Ayesha: The Return of She” from 1905 and “She and Allan” from 1921, in which “Ayesha” meets Haggard’s other popular character “Allan Quatermain.”