The Brides of Fu Manchu (1966)

So much average

Admirable film.

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

Christopher Lee dons silk robes, eyeliner and droopy moustache to return as the most evil criminal master mind in the world, yellow peril Fu Manchu, who this time plans world domination by kidnapping the wives and daughters of top industrialists and scientists, forcing their menfolk to build a highly destructive weapon that operates via radio waves. And when he has no more use for the women, into the snake-pit they go...A little bit James Bond and a little bit Sherlock Holmes, assistant commissioner from Scotland Yard Nayland Smith (Douglas Wilmer) is the man tasked with tracking down the evil Asian before he can put his dastardly plot to control the world into action.I thought I was settling down to yet another Jess Franco film when I pressed play on this film, so was rather relieved to see that it was directed by Don Sharp, who made the rather excellent Rasputin The Mad Monk for Hammer Studios. But while this film is nowhere near as bad as your average Franco film, it isn't all that great either, the tedious plot providing dull intrigue, little suspense and lots of repetitive fisticuffs between our brave heroes and their despicable enemies, all of which gets rather boring after a while. About the only thing that prevented me from dozing off at times was the fact that all of the kidnapped women are very attractive and wear revealing dresses. Now what are the chances of that?

Lively Sequel that is nothing if not Hyper. There is a Wild Fisticuffs Fight Scene every Few Minutes and becomes Exhausting Excitement after a while. When the Standard Action is not on Screen the Movie resorts to Minimal Sets with Flat Electronics with a lot of Wheels and Levers and a Colored Light Bulb or Two that Flash.The SFX are Weak and Obvious Models. All of this gives the Movie a Cheesy Appeal and the 1960's Style Hair and Clothes the "Brides" wear are a Distraction to the 1920's Setting. The Cars and Planes not so.There were Five Films in the "Fu" Series Produced in the Mid-Sixties each Trying to Install this "Yellow Peril" Menace from the 20's to Modern Audiences but the Success Waned Considerably after a Modest Profit from the First Entry "Face".It all seemed Forced and never quite Caught On. Viewed Today it has more Camp Appeal and is a "Pulpy" kind of Escapism. Christopher Lee walked through the Series with a Deadpan Desire to become Ruler of the World.In this one the "Brides" are really nothing but Prisoners Caged and Threatened with Horrible Painful Deaths (like a pit of snakes) to make Their Father Scientists Cooperate with "Fu". A Sadistic Tone is Ongoing Throughout the Series.The Movies are Interesting Flops with One-Note Stories holding back the Intrigue. Nothing Near Must Watch Stuff, but those willing to Enter the World of Fu Manchu for some Goofy Fun can Enjoy these Things. Others may find even the Best of the Series (#1 & 2) quite Tiresome and Clunky.

Christopher Lee is Fu Manchu and kidnaps the daughters of leading scientists in the Edwardian era in order to build a wireless transmitter that transmit power waves. He then hypnotises the women into submission (why not the scientists).In one scene, what is clearly a pre-heterodyne wireless set he sends a message to his adversary, but then in the next scene behind it is a record player when he shows the message to his colleagues, like they changed the script halfway through. There's also a scene where an actor turns off a noisy tap halfway through a telephone call, a car is shown whole after it has been crashed, a police constable that slips and slides on the road but recovers, a painful looking stage dive during a melee, and a flighty horse that looks like its about to run away.

Shrewd, ruthless and fearsome Chinese criminal mastermind Fu Manchu (the impeccable Christopher Lee in peak villainous form) kidnaps the beautiful daughters of the world's leading scientists and demands that they help build him a lethal death ray or else he will kill all of the lovely ladies. It's up to Fu Manchu's cagey and stalwart longtime nemesis Scotland Yard Inspector Nayland Smith (nicely played by Douglas Wilmer) to stop him before it's too late. Ably directed by Don Sharp, with an absorbing and eventful script by Peter Welbeck, a constant brisk pace, crisp, lively color cinematography by Ernest Steward, several exciting and well-staged action scenes, a rousing, spirited score by Johnny Douglas, a reasonable amount of tension, an admirably serious tone (there are no cheesy one-lines or needless campy humor to get in the way of the story), and a stirring fiery conclusion, this picture overall really delivers the entertaining goods. Moreover, the solid acting from a sturdy cast helps matters a whole lot: Lee naturally excels as the deliciously wily and wicked Fu Manchu, Wilmer makes for a properly resolute Smith, plus there are sound supporting performances by Tsai Chin as Fu Mancho equally evil daughter Lin Tang, Marie Versini as feisty, fetching nurse Marie Lenz, Heinz Drache as hot-headed chemist Franz Baumer, Howard Marion-Crawford as Smith's competent partner Dr. Petrie, Rupert Davies as beleaguered scientist Jules Merlin, Kenneth Fortescue as the eager Sergeant Spicer, and Burt Kwouk (Cato in the "Pink Panther" movies) as Fu Mancho's loyal henchman Feno. A neat little flick.