H. Rider Haggard’s grand fantasy-adventure novel She has been interpreted for film multiple times, with varying degrees of faithfulness, and in the mid-1960s Hammer Films produced this appealing version, released in the U.S. by MGM. Screen siren Ursula Andress plays the title character, and she is a fine choice for the beautiful Ayesha, “She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed.” John Richardson is fine as Leo Vincey, who, accompanied by the avuncular archaeologist Holly (Peter Cushing) and a devoted servant (Bernard Cribbins) dares the desert wastes to follow up a clue to a lost civilization — and who finds an earthbound goddess who rules with cruelty over her land, and who has done so for millennia. Christopher Lee has a suitably menacing presence as the priest / vizier Billali, and Rosenda Monteros does well as the native woman who falls in love with Leo. A rousing adventure.

  Recommended. Otto finds this one pleasing enough to relax.

Movie 328 for 2021.