Evil Under the Sun
Looking back at 1958 film, "She Gods of Shark Reef."
Roger Corman said that his 1958 film, She Gods of Shark Reef, was one of the most enjoyable experiences he had as a film director. It’s not hard to see why: it was filmed in Hawaii, on the island of Kauai, filled with many beautiful women—the eponymous “she gods.”
The film tells a story of two brothers, Chris and Lee, who are caught in the storm on the reef. They’re pulled under by the power of water and wind, and just as they’re about to be killed and eaten by the sharks, the two brothers are rescued by beautiful women. It sounds like a recipe for pleasure island, the male fantasy of being “in care” of many women, looking after all their needs.
But life on the island gets complicated. Corman creates a dichotomy between the two brothers—Chris is “good” and Lee is “bad.” Lee’s trying to escape the authorities because he killed a man. He likes to use people, including his own brother. Chris, on the other hand, is sensitive, and unlike Lee, he’s not interested in life of perpetual crime and get rich quick schemes. However, he gets entangled in Chris’ bad decisions simply because of brotherly love.
The island may be filled with beautiful women but this beauty doesn’t necessarily translate into goodness and order. The girls are overseen by Pua, an older woman, who looks more like an old biddy or gossiping matron rather than the god-like female leader. She keeps the girls locked into the ancient superstitious beliefs.