She (1965 film)
Encyclopedia
She is a 1965
film made by Hammer Film Productions
, based on the novel by H. Rider Haggard
. It was directed by Robert Day and stars Ursula Andress
, Peter Cushing
and Christopher Lee
.
), young Leo Vincey (John Richardson
) and their manservant Job (Bernard Cribbins
), into a previously unexplored region of north-east Africa. This, in turn, leads them to the lost city of Kuma. This lost realm is ruled by Ayesha (Ursula Andress
), who is also known as "She-who-must-be-Obeyed". Ayesha is an immortal queen and former high priestess, who sees Leo as the identical reincarnation of her former lover, the priest Kallikrates (whom she herself killed when she found him in an intimate embrace with another woman about two thousand years before). Ayesha tries to convince Leo to walk into a bonfire after it has turned blue, which happens once certain astronomical conditions have occurred, which are not fully explained in the film. It will only remain in this condition for a short period and only happens on certain rare occasions. By entering the fire, Leo himself will become immortal.
As this is occurring, Ayesha's army is attacked by her enslaved tribesmen, the Amahagger. Ayesha had oppressed the Amahagger for 2,000 years, but the uprising was triggered by the queen's executing the beautiful, Ustane (Rosenda Monteros). A humble young woman, Ustane had fallen in love with Leo. Ustane's father Haumeid (André Morell
) who, like his daughter, had befriended Leo, Holly and Job, is naturally outraged; he leads the attack of the Amahagger. Ayesha's army appears overwhelmed during the fierce battle against the badly equipped, but numerous barbarians.
Leo meanwhile, battles Bilali (Christopher Lee
), Ayesha's fanatical priest, who wants immortality for himself, believing it is his due after his years of selfless service. After battling Leo and giving him up for dead, Bilali attempts to enter the blue flames and become immortal when he is killed by Ayesha who spears him in the back.
Ayesha takes Leo's hand and leads him into the fire as, Leo has been reluctant to embrace Ayesha's promises of immortality and power. Upon entering the fire, Leo becomes immortal. However, the same fire destroys Ayesha's immortality, and she dies as the centuries catch up with her and she ages millenia in a few seconds. The film ends with a despondent Leo stating that he doesn't care when the fire will next burn blue (so he can enter and undo his immortality), but it will find him waiting.
1965 in film
The year 1965 in film involved some significant events, with The Sound of Music topping the U.S. box office.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:...
film made by Hammer Film Productions
Hammer Film Productions
Hammer Film Productions is a film production company based in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1934, the company is best known for a series of Gothic "Hammer Horror" films made from the mid-1950s until the 1970s. Hammer also produced science fiction, thrillers, film noir and comedies and in later...
, based on the novel by H. Rider Haggard
H. Rider Haggard
Sir Henry Rider Haggard, KBE was an English writer of adventure novels set in exotic locations, predominantly Africa, and a founder of the Lost World literary genre. He was also involved in agricultural reform around the British Empire...
. It was directed by Robert Day and stars Ursula Andress
Ursula Andress
Ursula Andress is a Swiss actress and a sex symbol of the 1960s. She is known for her roles as Bond girl Honey Ryder in Dr...
, Peter Cushing
Peter Cushing
Peter Wilton Cushing, OBE was an English actor, known for his many appearances in Hammer Films, in which he played the handsome but sinister scientist Baron Frankenstein and the vampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing, amongst many other roles, often appearing opposite Christopher Lee, and occasionally...
and Christopher Lee
Christopher Lee
Sir Christopher Frank Carandini Lee, CBE, CStJ is an English actor and musician. Lee initially portrayed villains and became famous for his role as Count Dracula in a string of Hammer Horror films...
.
Plot synopsis
Upon receiving their honorable discharges from the British Army in 1918 Palestine, an expedition is made by Professor Holly (Peter CushingPeter Cushing
Peter Wilton Cushing, OBE was an English actor, known for his many appearances in Hammer Films, in which he played the handsome but sinister scientist Baron Frankenstein and the vampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing, amongst many other roles, often appearing opposite Christopher Lee, and occasionally...
), young Leo Vincey (John Richardson
John Richardson (actor)
John Richardson is an English actor, who appeared in movies from the 1950s until the 1990s.He appeared in many Italian films, including Mario Bava's Black Sunday...
) and their manservant Job (Bernard Cribbins
Bernard Cribbins
Bernard Cribbins, OBE is an English character actor, voice-over artist and musical comedian with a career spanning over half a century who came to prominence in films in the 1960s, has been in work consistently since his professional debut in the mid 1950s, and as of 2010 is still an active...
), into a previously unexplored region of north-east Africa. This, in turn, leads them to the lost city of Kuma. This lost realm is ruled by Ayesha (Ursula Andress
Ursula Andress
Ursula Andress is a Swiss actress and a sex symbol of the 1960s. She is known for her roles as Bond girl Honey Ryder in Dr...
), who is also known as "She-who-must-be-Obeyed". Ayesha is an immortal queen and former high priestess, who sees Leo as the identical reincarnation of her former lover, the priest Kallikrates (whom she herself killed when she found him in an intimate embrace with another woman about two thousand years before). Ayesha tries to convince Leo to walk into a bonfire after it has turned blue, which happens once certain astronomical conditions have occurred, which are not fully explained in the film. It will only remain in this condition for a short period and only happens on certain rare occasions. By entering the fire, Leo himself will become immortal.
As this is occurring, Ayesha's army is attacked by her enslaved tribesmen, the Amahagger. Ayesha had oppressed the Amahagger for 2,000 years, but the uprising was triggered by the queen's executing the beautiful, Ustane (Rosenda Monteros). A humble young woman, Ustane had fallen in love with Leo. Ustane's father Haumeid (André Morell
André Morell
André Morell was a British actor. He appeared frequently in theatre, film and on television from the 1930s to the 1970s...
) who, like his daughter, had befriended Leo, Holly and Job, is naturally outraged; he leads the attack of the Amahagger. Ayesha's army appears overwhelmed during the fierce battle against the badly equipped, but numerous barbarians.
Leo meanwhile, battles Bilali (Christopher Lee
Christopher Lee
Sir Christopher Frank Carandini Lee, CBE, CStJ is an English actor and musician. Lee initially portrayed villains and became famous for his role as Count Dracula in a string of Hammer Horror films...
), Ayesha's fanatical priest, who wants immortality for himself, believing it is his due after his years of selfless service. After battling Leo and giving him up for dead, Bilali attempts to enter the blue flames and become immortal when he is killed by Ayesha who spears him in the back.
Ayesha takes Leo's hand and leads him into the fire as, Leo has been reluctant to embrace Ayesha's promises of immortality and power. Upon entering the fire, Leo becomes immortal. However, the same fire destroys Ayesha's immortality, and she dies as the centuries catch up with her and she ages millenia in a few seconds. The film ends with a despondent Leo stating that he doesn't care when the fire will next burn blue (so he can enter and undo his immortality), but it will find him waiting.
Cast
- Ursula AndressUrsula AndressUrsula Andress is a Swiss actress and a sex symbol of the 1960s. She is known for her roles as Bond girl Honey Ryder in Dr...
as AyeshaShe Who Must Be Obeyed - Peter CushingPeter CushingPeter Wilton Cushing, OBE was an English actor, known for his many appearances in Hammer Films, in which he played the handsome but sinister scientist Baron Frankenstein and the vampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing, amongst many other roles, often appearing opposite Christopher Lee, and occasionally...
as Holly - Bernard CribbinsBernard CribbinsBernard Cribbins, OBE is an English character actor, voice-over artist and musical comedian with a career spanning over half a century who came to prominence in films in the 1960s, has been in work consistently since his professional debut in the mid 1950s, and as of 2010 is still an active...
as Job - John RichardsonJohn Richardson (actor)John Richardson is an English actor, who appeared in movies from the 1950s until the 1990s.He appeared in many Italian films, including Mario Bava's Black Sunday...
as Leo - Rosenda Monteros as Ustane
- Christopher LeeChristopher LeeSir Christopher Frank Carandini Lee, CBE, CStJ is an English actor and musician. Lee initially portrayed villains and became famous for his role as Count Dracula in a string of Hammer Horror films...
as Billali - André MorellAndré MorellAndré Morell was a British actor. He appeared frequently in theatre, film and on television from the 1930s to the 1970s...
as Haumeid - Princess SorayaSoraya EsfandiaryPrincess Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiari was the second wife and Queen Consort of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the late Shah of Iran.-Birth:...
as Soraya - Julie Mendez as Night Club Dancer
- Lisa Peake as Night Club Dancer
- George PastellGeorge PastellGeorge Pastell was a Cypriot character actor in British films and television programmes. His real name was George Pastellides....
as Haumeid (voice) - Bula Coleman as Handmaiden (uncredited)
- George Lane Cooper as Guard (uncredited)
- Cherry Larman as Handmaiden (uncredited)
- John MaximJohn MaximJohn Maxim , sometimes credited as John Wills, was an English film and television actor.-Career:...
as Guard Captain (uncredited) - Oo-Bla-Da Dancers as Native Dancers (uncredited)
- Eddie PowellEddie PowellEddie Powell was a British stuntman.Powell performed stuntwork in several films for Hammer Studios, serving as a regular stunt double for Christopher Lee. His credits during this time included portraying Dracula in Dracula: Prince of Darkness and the Mummy in The Mummy's Shroud...
as Thug (uncredited) - Nosher PowellNosher PowellNosher Powell is known both as an actor and as a boxer.-Life and career:Powell was born in Camberwell, London, England...
as British Soldier (uncredited) - Roy StewartRoy StewartRoy Stewart , originally from Jamaica, began his career as a stuntman and went on to work in film and television, at a time when there were few working black actors....
as Black Guard (uncredited)