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She
[Hammer/WB]
1965; color
Directed by Robert Day
Starring: Ursula Andress, Peter Cushing, Bernard Cribbins, John Richardson, Rosenda Monteros & Christopher Lee
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She is an interesting entry in the Hammer catalogue that falls somewhere between the historical epic and fantasy genres. The action starts in Palestine just after the end of World War I, where three British soldiers are basically hanging around nightclubs loaded with exotic women and drunken soldiers, trying to find excuses to not go back to England. Ostensibly led by Holly (Peter Cushing), a 50-something college professor of some sort who seems to have a hankering for adventure and amateur archaeology, his two companions are the young and handsome Leo, who becomes the center focus of the tale, and Job, a would-be butler to Holly who's faithfully followed and served him throughout the war. One night while they're at a local watering hole, Leo is enticed by a girl named Ustane and leaves his companions to go off for what he hopes will be a night of passion. What he gets, however, is set up for a bonk on the head. When he comes to, he's in a beautiful house and Ustane is nowhere to be found. Instead, he's greeted by a strange chap named Bilali (Christopher Lee) and then the regal Ayesha (the thoroughly Nordic, and thus completely un-Middle Eastern looking, Ursula Andress) who is referred to as "She Who Must Be Obeyed." It turns out Leo is an exact dead ringer for Ayesha's former love, Callicrates, and takes his appearance as a sign he's come back to be with her. What she doesn't tell Leo is, they were a couple 2,000 years ago! Not only that, she's got the secret to eternal life and has been waiting all these millennia for his return so she can share her kingdom and glory with him. Of course, just to make sure Leo really is Callicrates, she surreptitiously sends him (along with Holly and Job) on a harrowing trek through the desert. After a series of trials and tribulations, and a reunion with Ustane (who's actually deeply in love with Leo), they arrive at Ayesha's kingdom, a mythical city called Kumar. (Mythical to the modern world because no one's seen it in 2,000 years.) The city, and Ayesha's insanely awesome palace, are all inside a giant dormant volcano (and thus hidden from the outside world). By this time, and despite Holly's warnings, Leo has completely fallen under Ayesha's spell and has bought into not only the fact he's Callicrates reincarnated but her promise of eternal life and the hopes of resurrecting their kingdom together. But, as is often the case in these sagas, there's a "be careful what you wish for, 'cause you just might get it" kicker at the end that leaves Leo full of regret. I know if the mood strikes I'll be watching this one again.
—the Kommandant
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