Hammer Studios Largest Budget, $1 Million (3x the usual).
The Film Almost Doubled that at the Box-Office.
But, of course, that was before the Public Actually Saw the Movie.
While Hammer must have been Pleased for the Return, most Viewers were Less-Pleased and the Critics Hammered the Film.
The Elaborate Use of Cinemascope and On-Location Filming was Ineffective to Raise the Overall Lethargic Pacing and Dull as Dirt Script.
Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee Paired quite Nicely with Both Maintaining the Professional Skilled Addition to the Film's Floundering Effort to Entertain.
Ursula Andress Became Famous with an Unforgettable Entrance in the International Mega-Hit "Dr. No" (1962).
Never Achieving Greatness Her Star-Power and Incredible Beauty Propelled a Career.
But as Much as Her Beauty was an Asset, Her Dense Swedish Accent was a Hindrance.
All of Her Dialog was Dubbed, as were a Number of Others.
Not a Great Thing for an Intended Wide Epic Entertainment from Hammer.
Bottom-Line is that the Eye-Candy of the Lush Looking Hammer-Style was Better Suited for the Studio.
Beautifully Effective the "Hammer-Look" Became an Iconic "Trade-Mark".
So Many Things the Studio Tried in this Move from Horror to Adventure Fantasy just Failed.
Not Grasping that Over-Reach.
It's just Not as Impressive as other Films from the Beloved Output.
See it with Low Expectations and You may Surprised.
All Hammer Films are Worth a Watch.
Note...Peter Cushing "letting it all hang-out" against type, leaping to his feet and grooving, dancing with a Belly-Dancer is an unexpected treat.
Note2...Filmed multiple times...the best version is the 1935 release from Marian C. Cooper (King Kong) with Randolph Scott (yes, that Randolph Scott).
