La Déesse de feu

I'm not sure why everyone dislikes this film. It not only looks absolutely fantastic for a Hammer film, but also features some fantastic performances by some some of Hammer's best actors(and some who aren't Hammer actors). Some of the amazing performances come from the always excellent Peter Cushing, the(finally)newly knighted Christopher Lee, the great Bernard Cribbins and in her first(and last) Hammer film, the gorgeous Ursula Andress as SHE herself. This film is also wonderfully directed by another one-off Hammer director, Robert Day. However this film does have some low points as well. Some of the plot threads are a little silly and some of the later scenes are very repetitive. By no means the best Hammer film, but no where near the worst.

She is an enjoyable piece of Hammer fluff and that is all there is to say really. True movie fans of Hammer movies see the iconic stars Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee in roles and that makes this movie a treat to watch as they have a presence that gives a certain dignity to the movie. As the lead Ursula Andress shows why she was a sex symbol in the 60's as she is stunning and smoking hot to look at and her acting who cares she is not a thespian that is for Cushing and Lee to do she is to look sexy and alluring and she does that well. The cast does a good job with a good story but as with everything in life there are some shortcomings. One the sets looked cheap and the story one could see events coming because it lacked some intrigue but these are fine as many a movie has this problem but my biggest problem was the lead of John Richardson he may look like Ken come alive but he was so wooden I swear Woody Woodpecker was going to town on his acting skills he has no presence, read lines in a monotonous monotone fashioned and looked bored throughout. In addition his eyes look glazed during the entire movie like he was in a trance and he just awful. Despite this a fun and entertaining movie and critics may carp about many a thing but this movie is true popcorn and I for one like to be entertained I was and would recommend this movie to be seen.

One really shouldn't need to say more about this movie than that it contains the gorgeous Ursula Andress in her most imperious role, plus the incredibly lovely Rosenda Monteiros. =) But if one must, one will say that this is a classic adventure of innocence, devoted to the concept of faithful and undying true love and the ancient dominion of the Divine Female over all. Completely knocked me over when I was 14 and hasn't lost anything since. I just love it.

Ursula Andress ordering the execution of chained natives whilst wearing what looks like a bird costume; Peter Cushing and Bernard Cribbins cutting the rug with a couple of belly-dancers; Chris Lee wearing a stupid hat: 'She' might not be the greatest Hammer film of all time, but it certainly has its fair share of moments that make it worthwhile!

Based on the H. Rider Haggard adventure of the same name, this 1965 offering from the 'studio that dripped blood' sees a trio of adventurers—Holly (Cushing), Leo (John Richardson) and Job (Cribbins)—seeking the fabled city of Kuma, after they come into possession of a map that reveals its location. After risking their lives travelling through a desert, they arrive at their destination where they meet Ayesha, the immortal queen of the city, who reveals to Leo that he is the reincarnation of her dead lover Callicrates. Now, after 2000 years of waiting, Ayesha will do anything to keep him by her side for the rest of eternity.

Directed by Robert Day (who had previously helmed a couple of Tarzan movies and therefore would seem like an obvious choice for this adventure set in the 'dark continent'), 'She' is a lavish production that, whilst it might never be labelled a classic, has enough spectacle to make it worth a go.

As always, Cushing and Lee give solid performances, and Cribbins is likable as reluctant adventurer Job; Andress and Richardson are rather wooden, but are easy on the eye. Also rather lovely is Rosenda Monteros, as Ustane, a native girl who almost succeeds in luring Leo away from the manipulative Ayesha.

If you're a fan of Hammer films in general, and are partial to a bit of exotic adventure set in far flung lands, then 'She' should fit the bill rather nicely.

6.5 out of 10, rounded up to 7 for IMDb.

Hammer are famous for making horror movies (obviously), and 'She' is often considered amongst Hammer's horror offerings. I beg to differ from that notion, as although it certainly has horror elements: this is most definitely an adventure movie. Still, the delirious Hammer style is definitely still there and this movie succeeds in conforming to the camp ideals that Hammer became famous for (and that I love them for!). This is also one of many (though not enough!) movies to feature the immense talents of both of Hammer's super-heavyweights; Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, and both deliver to their regular high standard. The plot follows three men who travel to a lost city in search of riches that have been promised to them upon their arrival. However, the city is ruled by the powerful 'She who must be obeyed' (Ursula Andress) and she believes one of the men to be her reincarnated love, so sets about making him conform to her way of thinking...

The film exudes a sense of sleaze, in spite of not being essentially sleazy. This has come about due to the central theme of the woman being the dominant party, and as the woman in question is played by the domineering Ursula Andress, that sense is exuded quite plainly. Also joining in the fun aside from Cushing, Lee and Andress is Hammer favourite André Morell, who completes a rather fine cast. The low budget is more than obvious on a number of occasions, mostly through the cheap looking sets, and it seems as if the producers have been a little over ambitious. It doesn't matter, though, as the low budget adds to the charm and appeal of the movie, which ensures that the movie is even more fun for the viewer. The moral to the story has some credibility too, and the ending actually succeeds in being fairly powerful. On the whole, 'She' isn't a prime example of how great the adventure genre can be; but it's a solid film, and fans of low budget kitsch will find something to like.