The Vengeance of She – 1968 | 101 mins | Adventure | Colour

Plot Synopsis

The Vengeance of She was an unfortunate representation of Hammer at its most uninventive. Originally announced as Ayesha: Daughter of She, the film was a titillating sequel to She (1965), an adaptation of the H Rider Haggard yarn starring Ursula Andress. Andress eventually turned down the opportunity to reprise her role and Hammer offered it to Susan Denberg, whose shapely figure had graced Frankenstein Created Woman. Sadly, Denberg had a drugs problem and was unable to commit. Czech actress Olinka Berova (aka Olga Schoberová) was thus finally cast in the leading role. Sadly, there is little in the way of true inspiration to the Peter O’Donnell sparsely scripted production, and the film’s supporting cast is mostly wasted, while Miss Berova, though suitably endowed, is no match for the charms of Ursula Andress.

Carol, a beautiful young Scandinavian woman, is mysteriously found wandering on the deck of George’s (Colin Blakely) yacht off the coast of the South of France. Also onboard is distinguished psychiatrist Philip (Edward Judd) who becomes intrigued by the peculiar beauty and why she keeps calling out ‘Ayesha’. When George’s yacht turns away from North Africa, Carol is forced to jump overboard by a blinding headache in an effort to stop it – and the owner dies attempting to rescue her.

Once ashore, the possessed Carol continues her voyage south, inexplicably drawn to the far-off city of Kuma. Philip, joined by sailor Harry (George Sewell), head in swift pursuit across the desert. Killikrates (John Richardson), the king of the lost city of Kuma, longs to be reunited with his queen, and High Priest Men-hari believes Carol to be the reincarnation of “She Who Must Be Obeyed”, their long lost Amazonian warrior queen, Ayesha. Philip battles against the evil machinations of the High Priest to save his true love and convince the benevolent ruler he has been deceived.