In Palestine in 1918 three ex-soldiers come into possession of a map to the legendary lost Egyptian city of Kuma. After a perilous desert journey they reach their goal and find a strange secret society, presided over by the immortal She Who Must Be Obeyed ...
Based on the classic novel by H. Rider Haggard, this is one of my favourite Hammer movies. It's got gorgeous women, fights, camels, tribal dancing, human sacrifices, lost cities, scheming high priests, the secret of immortality and the usual apocalyptic last reel. Magic stuff. Andress looks stunning ("Blimey. They don't make 'em like that anymore."), Lee is terrific and Cribbins a tremendous foil, with his valet's disposition and bowler hat. As so often with Hammer's movies though, it is Cushing who holds the film together - his quiet intelligence and subtlety despite the weird situations are the work of a truly great actor and he raises the tone high above what could easily turn into silly shenanigans. There's also a great sweeping string score by James Bernard, remarkable costumes by Carl Toms and eye-pleasing cardboard-rock sets by Robert Jones. There are a lot of adaptations of this great story; several silent movies, an agreeable thirties Hollywood version with Helen Gahagan, and a direct sequel to this picture (The Vengeance Of She), but this is the best one - a great adventure/romance/horror flick for boys of all ages.
Based on the classic novel by H. Rider Haggard, this is one of my favourite Hammer movies. It's got gorgeous women, fights, camels, tribal dancing, human sacrifices, lost cities, scheming high priests, the secret of immortality and the usual apocalyptic last reel. Magic stuff. Andress looks stunning ("Blimey. They don't make 'em like that anymore."), Lee is terrific and Cribbins a tremendous foil, with his valet's disposition and bowler hat. As so often with Hammer's movies though, it is Cushing who holds the film together - his quiet intelligence and subtlety despite the weird situations are the work of a truly great actor and he raises the tone high above what could easily turn into silly shenanigans. There's also a great sweeping string score by James Bernard, remarkable costumes by Carl Toms and eye-pleasing cardboard-rock sets by Robert Jones. There are a lot of adaptations of this great story; several silent movies, an agreeable thirties Hollywood version with Helen Gahagan, and a direct sequel to this picture (The Vengeance Of She), but this is the best one - a great adventure/romance/horror flick for boys of all ages.