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Title: Christopher Lee is Fu Manchu - 5 films, 5 reviews! Post by: R-T-C Tim on February 23, 2007, 08:40:46 PM (http://mondo-esoterica.net/boxsets/IMG/TB/Fu%20Manchu.jpg)
Well, here is an interesting series of films. Producer Harry Alan Towers hired Christopher Lee to star in this 5 part adaptation of the works of pulp writer Sax Rohmer. The series gets off to a good start with Face of Fu Manchu (1965), and the two sequels, but when Blood of Fu Manchu comes around, directed by Jess Franco, we are in classic bad movie territory. Then there is Castle of Fu Manchu, which some might know from its MST3k-ing. Let me tell you, I've sat and watched a lot of bad movies, but this one really took the biscuit - bad from the opening scene (blue tinted footage stolen from the black and white Titanic film 'A Night to Remember' mixed with footage from the climax of one of the earlier Fu Manchu films). I'm so glad that the contracted sixth film was never shot... I've been watching the impressive new German boxset of the films, which includes great looking prints and audio, and a selection of bonus features (even more if you can speak German) Full reviews of the films and boxset: http://mondo-esoterica.net/boxsets/Fu%20Manchu.html |