Sheena (1984)

User Rating:

4.3/10   

Director:

John Guillermin

Writers:

David Newman (story) and
Leslie Stevens (story) ...

Release Date:

17 August 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Fantasy

Tagline:

She'll fight like a tigress to save the land she loves...

Plot:

Sheena's white parents are killed while on Safari. She is raised by the mystical witch woman of an African tribe...

Plot Keywords:

Jungle | Barefoot | Male Nudity | Based On Comic Book | Based On Comic

Awards:

5 nominations

Cast

Tanya Roberts	...	Sheena
Ted Wass	...	Vic Casey
Donovan Scott	...	Fletcher ("Fletch")
Elizabeth of Toro	...	Shaman
France Zobda	...	Countess Zanda
Trevor Thomas	...	Prince Otwani
Clifton Jones	...	King Jabalani
John Forgeham	...	Colonel Jorgensen
Errol John	...	Boto
Sylvester Williams	...	Juka
Bob Sherman	...	Grizzard
Michael Shannon	...	Phillip Ames
Nancy Paul	...	Betsy Ames
Kathryn Gant	...	Janet Ames (Child Sheena)
Kirsty Lindsay	...	Young Sheena

Also Known As:

Sheena: Queen of the Jungle (International: English title) (USA) (poster title)

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | Australia:PG | Iceland:12 | Canada:G (Québec) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Finland:K-12 | UK:15 (video rating) (1986) (uncut) | UK:PG (original rating) (cut) | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Kenya

Company:

Colgems Productions Ltd.

Trivia:

Producer Paul Aratow landed a development deal for Sheena, Queen of the Jungle with Universal Pictures as early as 1975 as a proposed starring vehicle for Raquel Welch. However, numerous script rewrites led to the project being put into turnaround. The project was picked up by United Artists, then after a failed script put in turnaround to Filmways (later Orion Pictures)where another failed script led to another turnaround deal at Avco-Embassy, who courteously released the project before their contract had expired to Columbia pictures. The first screenwriter at Columbia (in 1980) was Leslie Stevens. At Columbia the script was subsequently completely rewritten by David Newman and later tweaked by Lorenzo Semple Jr.. At some point Bo Derek was considered for the title role, and Harrison Ford was offered the male lead, but casting amazedly ended up with Ted Wass and Tayna Roberts in the role of Sheena. The production was greenlighted in 1982.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: After the elephant crashes through the wall of the jail, the guards try to leave the room. Monkeys trying to trip the guards with a gun, drop the gun before the guards can trip on it, but the guards still fall. It happens about 36 minutes into the movie.

Quotes:

Sheena: See! See! Even in chains, we can defeat them! Turn your minds back, oh my people. Remember yourselves- a thousand, a thousand moons ago! Bring your bows! Chief Harumba- Attack!

Movie Connections:

Version of "Sheena: Queen of the Jungle" (1955)

Enjoy The Film For What Is Was Intended

Sheena wasn't made to win any Academy awards. Nevertheless, for a "B" film the photography is actually quite good. Granted, Tanya's acting ability at this time in her life needed a lot of work. I'm sure the producers knew this going in and didn't care. They knew the attraction would be to watch Sheena doing her thing in her jungle outfit. Tanya was the perfect choice considering the reason for the film. Sheena was made to showcase Tanya Roberts stunning physical attributes and was successful in this regard. She is the reason the movie is still moderately popular after 20 years. So if you like this type of eye-candy film, enjoy! It wasn't meant to be anything else.