The Brides of Fu Manchu (1966)

Producer: Harry Alan Towers. Executive producer: Oliver A. Unger. A Hallam Production, released in the U.K. by Anglo-Amalgamated (16 December 1966), in the U.S.A. by Seven Arts (14 December 1966). No New York opening. Registered: August, 1966. 94 minutes (U.S.A.); 91 minutes (U.K.). Sydney opening at the Capitol (a weekly change, first- release cinema): 2 June 1967.COMMENT: Made by almost exactly the same team as The Face of Fu Manchu, it is pleasing to report that this second venture is equally as good — although in a different way.What strikes you about this film is the subtle use of color. From the first entrance of Fu Manchu wearing a green tunic against a background of reddish statuary to the climax of exploding machinery with a red light blinking in the gloom and a red handle shaking in its slot, the film is always visually striking. The director keeps the story moving at a fast clip and the action scenes are convincingly handled. The only jarring element is some unfortunate back projection in the outdoor scenes at the climax.The cast, however, is little more than adequate. One misses Nigel Green who played Nayland Smith in the first film and who then achieved such acclaim for his portrayal in The Ipcress File, that he has now priced himself out of this film's budget. See my review of "The Face of Fu Manchu" on IMDb for an account of this series. ("Brides" is available on a very good quality Momentum DVD).

The Brides of Fu Manchu is the first sequel in the 60's Fu Manchu series and the only one that matches the original for quality. This is mainly due to the retaining of the first director don sharp who keeps things moving at a fine pace and keeps period setting and action scenes to the standard previous film. Christopher Lee reprises his role of the 'evil oriental master' while Douglas Wilmer replaces Nigel Green in the role of Nayland Smith. Wilmer had made an excellent Sherlock Holmes on TV and brings charm and determination to the role. Tsi Chin and H Marion Crawford return as Lin Tang and Dr Petrie respectively The plot of the film is standard with the evil doctor trying take other the world by threatening the daughter of a respected scientist therefore forcing him to give him the secrets of his potentially destructive invention or discovery. It ends as always with Fu Manchu seemingly destroyed only for his disembodied voice to say the world will here from me again.

The 2nd Fu Manchu movie with Christopher Lee has many ideas which work really well. We are often given some information in advance, such as who is working for Fu Manchu or where his headquarters are, while the heroes still have to find out about that. Everyone has something up his sleeve: when Smith send a false scientist to Fu Manchu, the Chinese builds a wrong antenna to fool Smith. Scotland Yard's best investigator is tougher and more efficient than in the first movie. „I am not giving you the choice. Either you help me or I arrest you for murder, and when that happens, Fu Manchu will have no further use for your daughter", he once threatens a victim of Fu Manchu. Marie Versini plays the daughter of a German scientist with her thick French accent, but grateful for the opportunity to look at her, the audience will forgive that. The silent helpers of the mastermind now get a few lines as well, it makes them more real. Surely there are things which make no sense (why is an Egyptian looking dungeon in Morocco?), but all in all, the sequel is better than its predecessor. Voted 7/8/5/7/4 for the five movies.

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.