Time almost Forgot this Treasure seemingly Covered by the Inferior Hammer Remake. It has now been Resurrected in Pristine Prints with a new Colorized process and the DVD and Blu-rays include the Original B&W for Purists.This is a rather Unique Adventure and Early Sci-Fi Film with Wonderful Art-Deco Sets, SFX, and one of Max Steiner's Best Scores. Elaborate Costumes and Dance sequences also Highlight this Beautiful mix of Lost Civilizations and Enduring Love.It is a Treat for the senses and this is what it was like in the Early Days of Hollywood when Imaginations abound and Cost was Not a Factor. There is much to Enjoy, it places the Audience in a Land Long Lost with much Beauty and Awe. The Pacing is a bit Slow but its Rhythm is Riveting and there are a number of Set Pieces that are Memorable and the Production as a whole has a Look that is like No Other.

Well to write this review I must gather my mind and go back a long ago, almost a decade, when I was a child and my father gifted me this book "she" by rider haggard and ever since it was my favorite novel, I read it so many times and every time I felt I am reading it the first time. The imagination of the writer and how he created everything was marvelous. It's the height of man's creativity that he creates something out of nothing and you start believing in it. It was my all-time favorite novel.For a long time I had been searching if there had been any film made on this novel but I couldn't find it. I thought no one took this novel so serious to make movies, rather twilight, lord of the rings, harry potter wins this race, but just 2-3 days ago I was just searching some other films and by the way I searched for it and found this film. I was restless to get it.I saw the film, but let me tell you something, before watching it; I had high hopes from it. I expected it to be perfect in the black and white because I believe that the beauty of some things remain more enchanting in their originality. Therefore I started watching it, but I was quite disappointed to see it, as the director had skipped so much beautiful things which the write had explained in so much immense details. I wanted to see the old yellowish manuscripts of Vincy, the killing of goat/deer by a gun and showing it to bilali, on their way to Kor. The flame of life was also poorly shown and that there had been so much changes as the novel had, when finally "she", leo, and others were following to the flame of life, there were no one following them, as shown in the movie. I dare say that I was quite disappointed to see this film, as this novel was the first gift from my father and had a great value to me.I certainly keep in mind that in 1935, filming such thing would have been a challenge but there is a difference in skipping the details and altering the plot from original. When you alter the plot, then the director himself is throwing the film to black hole. I think probably that's why the film didn't gain much popularity and its rating is low. Well this was solely my view, in relation to my past memories and my expectations. Though it might be different for others who just see it just as a film. Overall it was a good attempt as many such novel remain in dark book shelves and never gain the hype as commercial novels does. I wish this novel and its filming be done again, making it a better one, though I am against, the efforts of introducing graphic touch to classics, as done in the film "clash of titans". There is a huge difference in its older version and the 2010 version, after all making "300" in that way was also a superb effort, but you know what, it was a perfect blend of classic filming with originality and graphic reproduction.I recommend everyone first to read the novel, "she" and "return of she" and then see this film.

Randolph Scott is his usual stiff but smiling self as Leo Vincey, the long-lost American heir to a British family legacy, sent by his estranged father to reclaim the legendary "Flame of Life," discovered five centuries ago by his explorer ancestor. Producer Merian C. Cooper, best known for directing King Kong, changes the locale of H. Rider Haggard's classic adventure from Africa to the Arctic (which, apart from a spectacular avalanche, looks positively stage-bound), but he pulls out all stops for the magnificent underground kingdom hidden in the icy mountains, complete with a cavernous throne room with vaulted ceilings and a massive staircase that would look right at home in the Ziegfeld Follies. The cruel She Who Must Be Obeyed (Helen Gahagan) is a beautiful but icy queen driven ruthless by her centuries of loneliness. The film takes some time to get started but once She makes her impressive entrance through a mist-enshrouded arch, we're plunged into a dangerous, exotic world of strange ceremonies, human sacrifices, nefarious plots, and the gorgeous whirlwind of light that is the Flame of Life. Though the dialog is often flat and uninspired and the performances by Scott and Gahagan rather arch (costars Nigel Bruce and Helen Mack fare much better), this grand adventure concludes with a rousing climax full of impressive set pieces and breathtaking effects.

Having recently finished the reading of Haggard's masterpiece (which I recommend as one of the best English classic I have read along Stevenson's Treasure Island), I was eager to view this movie, considered the best of all the adaptations made out of the book. Knowing that Cooper was on the producer chair, my expectations were somehow high...And those were not necessarily met, but it might be because I am so fond of the book. The main fault of this movie is, in my opinion, the fact that the writers decided to drop all the Freudian subtext and philosophical considerations of the story. Well, of course, this is a movie and we were in 1935, but those were the elements that set Haggard's book apart from all the other adventures book. Setting the story in the north rather than in Africa and making Leo Vincey the reincarnation of an English adventurer of the 1500s have riped Ayesha of some of her mystic too.Yet, there is some things to enjoy in this well made adventure. The settings are appropriate and so is the acting (well, for the era...). The soundtrack is one of the best and the scene of the sacrifice is a must-see (complete with mickey-mousing and a very interesting choreography!!!!!). The first apparition and the ending of Ayesha were worthy of Haggard's character too and are more than well-done (althought Helen Gahagan is not as beautiful as Ayesha is supposed to be, but still: who can be THAT beautiful... It might explained why Leo Vincey and Holly are not so overwhelm by her presence as they are in the source!!!!!!!!).To the credits of the writers, they have preserved some of the key scenes of the story (the scene with the cannibals and their judgement by Ayesha are prime examples) and give the titular character enough of her self-awareness and pride to make her a juicy role for Gahagan (it's a shame that she were not able to make another movie for she obviously have talent).This is not as well-made and interesting as King Kong, but it is still a good movie, complete with adventures and mystery from the dawn of time (Indiana Jones was not the first to make such discoveries!) And you're likely to appreciate it more if you have not read the book... but this one is much, much better!!!