🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: John Guillermin
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
- Release year: 1984
- Runtime (length): 1h 57min
- IMDb rating: 4.9/10 (5.8K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 0%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A blonde Tarzan uses mind control on a painted horse to stop a football player from strip-mining Africa, but mostly it’s about the 80s.
🍿 Sheena: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Prophecy and Young Sheena
American missionary doctors, the Ames family, travel to Africa. Tragedy strikes when the parents die, leaving their daughter, Janet, orphaned. The Zambouli tribe’s shaman adopts Janet, renaming her Sheena, believing her to be the ‘golden god-child’ foretold in their prophecies. Sheena grows up learning the ways of the jungle and how to communicate telepathically with animals, becoming a protector of the Zambouli people and their land. The film establishes her deep connection with nature and her role as the tribe’s destined savior.

Otwani’s Treachery and the Threat to Tigora
Prince Otwani returns to Tigora with ambitions to exploit the region’s titanium reserves. He plots to assassinate his brother, King Jabalani, to seize power and pave the way for his mining operations. This sets the stage for the conflict between Sheena and Otwani, with the fate of the Zambouli tribe hanging in the balance. Otwani’s greed and ruthlessness are established, highlighting the threat he poses to the Zambouli and their way of life. The film underscores the importance of environmental preservation and the dangers of unchecked ambition.

Vic Casey’s Arrival and the Unveiling of the Conspiracy
Reporter Vic Casey arrives in Tigora to cover Otwani’s story, inadvertently stumbling upon the assassination plot. Teaming up with Sheena, Vic becomes an unlikely ally in the fight against Otwani’s forces. Their relationship develops as they navigate the dangers of the jungle and uncover the truth behind the king’s murder. Vic’s presence provides an outsider’s perspective on the conflict, highlighting the clash between modern civilization and traditional ways of life. He serves as a bridge between Sheena’s world and the audience, guiding them through the complexities of the story.

The Fight for Freedom and the Defense of the Zambouli
Sheena and Vic lead the Zambouli in a battle against Otwani’s mercenaries, utilizing Sheena’s connection with animals and their knowledge of the jungle to their advantage. The film culminates in a showdown where Sheena confronts Otwani, ultimately defeating him and restoring peace to the region. This final act emphasizes themes of courage, resilience, and the power of unity in the face of oppression. Sheena’s victory reinforces her role as a symbol of hope and protection for the Zambouli people.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Sheena (Tanya Roberts): A white woman raised in the African jungle by a shaman, Sheena protects the Zambouli tribe and can communicate with animals.
- Vic Casey (Ted Wass): An American reporter who uncovers a conspiracy and allies with Sheena to protect the Zambouli tribe.
- Prince Otwani (Trevor Thomas): The ruthless antagonist who seeks to usurp the throne and exploit the Zambouli lands for their titanium deposits.
- Shaman (Elizabeth of Toro): The mystical Zambouli witch woman who raises Sheena and guides her in protecting the tribe.
- Countess Zanda (France Zobda): The deceitful fiancée of the king who conspires with Prince Otwani to seize power.
- Fletcher Agronsky (Donovan Scott): Vic Casey’s comedic cameraman, who is a good friend and ally.
- Colonel Jorgensen (John Forgeham): Otwani’s henchman and leader of the mercenaries, enforcing Otwani’s will with brutal force.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Sheena: “See! Even in chains, we can defeat them! Turn your minds back, my people. Remember yourselves a thousand, a thousand moons ago! Bring your bows!” – Sheena rallies the Zambouli tribe to fight back against Otwani’s forces, even while captured.
- Sheena: “Mouths were made for eating. Why did you touch yours to mine?” – Sheena says this to Vic after their first kiss, expressing her confusion and unfamiliarity with the gesture.
- Sheena: “Vic Casey, you are a giant” – Sheena acknowledging his bravery and support, while still holding a measure of naive honesty
💰Box Office
- Budget: $25,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $5,778,353
- Worldwide Gross: $5,778,353
💥 Sheena Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, Sheena is definitely a product of the 80s, and not in a good way! The plot is all over the place, and the acting is… well, let’s just say Tanya Roberts looks amazing. But honestly, the scenery is gorgeous, and there’s a certain cheesy charm that makes it a fun watch with friends. I laughed way more than I probably should have, especially during the flamingo attack scene. It’s so bad, it’s almost good! For a movie night with friends, Sheena is a must.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of classic adventure films”
- “Viewers interested in strong female leads”
- “Those who appreciate campy B-movies”
- “People interested in African landscapes and wildlife”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Brief nudity”
- “Mild violence”
- “Cultural stereotypes may be present”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb: “Attempts to capture the excitement and sex-appeal of Eisner’s jungle heroine, but only succeeds in achieving the latter. The film is memorable solely for the fact that its star spends the entire film in (and out of) a tiny animal-skin bikini.
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Roberts’ undeniable gorgeousness hardly redeems this goofy turkey. This film is quite a comedown for director John Guillermin, who had directed “Death on the Nile” six years earlier.
- Common Sense Media: “The production values are excellent and the story line is no worse than TV or low-budgeted action adventure. This is a PG film after all. I remembered this being marketed as a family film, however there are some very violent scenes.
Audience Reactions
Tanya Roberts is stunning and makes the film watchable: Most viewers acknowledge the film’s flaws but praise the exotic locations and Tanya Roberts’ physical appeal and on-screen presence.
Overall Consensus: Sheena is widely considered a campy and flawed film, but Tanya Roberts makes it visually appealing.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Elizabeth of Toro, who played the Shaman, was a Ugandan princess in real life, a Cambridge law graduate, a model, and served as Uganda’s Foreign Minister.”
- “The film was shot on location in Kenya to capture the authentic African landscapes.”
- “The zebra that Sheena rides is actually a horse painted to look like a zebra. Zebras are notoriously difficult to train.”
🖥️ How to Watch Sheena?
As of today, you can rent or purchase ‘Sheena’ on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Availability may vary by region. Check local listings for streaming and broadcast options.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Sheena, you might like these similar films:
- Tarzan, the Ape Man (1981): A similar film featuring a jungle setting, a white protagonist raised in the wild, and scantily clad actors.
- The Beastmaster (1982): Another 80s fantasy film featuring a hero with the ability to communicate with animals, fighting against evil.
- Wonder Woman (2017): A modern take on a strong female character fighting for justice and protecting the innocent, albeit in a different setting and genre.
- Mountains of the Moon (1990): Epic-scale adventure drama, depicting the true story of two explorers in Africa
🛒 Sheena Related Products
- Sheena, Queen of the Jungle: The Complete Series [DVD]: Own the complete series of Sheena on DVD. A great gift for the retro TV fan.
- Sheena, Queen of the Jungle – Movie Poster Print: A quality print of the original movie poster. Great for decorating a home theatre or fan cave.
- Custom Sheena, Queen of the Jungle T-Shirt: Create your own custom T-shirt. Ideal for casual fans.
- Sheena Queen of the Jungle Comic Book Collection: Sheena Queen of the Jungle comic book collection of the orginal jungle queen.
🎧 Soundtrack
Sheena features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The movie was filmed on location in Kenya, Africa, showcasing the beautiful landscapes and wildlife.
Yes, ‘Sheena’ is based on the comic book character Sheena, Queen of the Jungle, created by Will Eisner and S. M. Iger.
Critics cited the film’s weak plot, poor dialogue, and Tanya Roberts’ acting as primary reasons for its negative reception. However, some viewers appreciate it as a campy, fun adventure film.
Yes, the film contains brief scenes of nudity featuring Tanya Roberts. This content contributed to its mixed reception and borderline PG/PG-13 rating at the time.
🔥 Bonus Content
Shikwa Nahi | Nadeem Shravan, Amjad Nadeem | Sheena Bajaj | Zee Music Originals | Jubin N | Gaurav J
Wow, over 100 million views! This song totally captures the film’s emotional vibe. Give it a listen; you might just find your new favorite tune.
Drama Keysha Dan Sheena Mau Berenang – Kids Playing Water Slide In The Swimming Pool
Even though it’s in another language, it’s fun to watch how children are reacting and putting themselves into the movie. I found it interesting to see their take!
Midiva Ninna Video Song | Rajaadaani | Rocking Star YASH | Sheena Shahabadi | Arjun Janya
I found a song that’s connected to one of the actresses from the movie, Sheena Shahabadi. You might just want to give it a listen, and tell me if you like it
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