51 reviews
Well, it's not a masterpiece, of course, but it's far from the worst film ever made, as some of the more OTT reviewers claim. For those of us for whom Sellers is forever the arch-Goon, there is much to delight here, and the spirit of Spike Milligan hovers over the script, whether or not he had anything to do with it. Accusations of racism are quite absurd. If you really want to see a gold plated 100% cringeworthy stinker, I suggest you look no further than The Spy Who Shagged Me, beside which Fu Manchu is a real work of genius.
- robinstieber
- Dec 7, 2002
- Permalink
Although the thought of a white person playing an Asian sort of makes us cringe, I wouldn't call Peter Sellers's final film (also David Tomlinson's final film) awful. Granted, this was probably less than they would have wanted to end with. But Sellers brings a certain charm to the double role of the 168-year-old titular character, trying to carry out a heist in 1930s England, and a British police officer hired to look for him.
Admittedly, "The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu" isn't any kind of masterpiece. It's kind of choppy and drags at times. But there are some funny scenes, and Sid Caesar's character has a name that makes you think "Uh-oh". I guess that at most, it's a way to pass time. Pretty much all the cast members have done much better than this. But it does elicit a few laughs. Also starring Helen Mirren, and even Burt Kwouk (better known as Cato in the "Pink Panther" movies) in a small role.
Admittedly, "The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu" isn't any kind of masterpiece. It's kind of choppy and drags at times. But there are some funny scenes, and Sid Caesar's character has a name that makes you think "Uh-oh". I guess that at most, it's a way to pass time. Pretty much all the cast members have done much better than this. But it does elicit a few laughs. Also starring Helen Mirren, and even Burt Kwouk (better known as Cato in the "Pink Panther" movies) in a small role.
- lee_eisenberg
- Apr 19, 2006
- Permalink
There are some pretty funny scenes in this film esp the scene where all the royals (real & fake) are all in the royal box! Haha!
- graham-harvey
- Apr 21, 2021
- Permalink
Like a couple of other reviewers here, I'm baffled as to why this movie is so lambasted. It is not the gut-busting laugh getter, but then it's not supposed to be. I found it to be rather tongue in cheek fun, not unlike a silly James Bond film (when Connery was doing it still) and entertaining for the detective movie buff like myself. I remember seeing it with my wife. And the ending is silly and funny I thought. Sure it's not a great film like "Being There" but it is not a horrible film to go out on as some professional reviewers have said. I really liked the exaggerated Chinese accent Sellers gives his Fu Manchu (Which I would imitate for my wife's amusement often) and the funny bit about the aging and somewhat out there Nayland Smith pushing a lawnmower over the carpet in the "home" that helped him think. And so to you Nay(land) sayers out there, I say FU! I had a good time with this addition to detective fiction satire.
This is not an all-around terrible comedy, but it is very DULL. It has barely any laughs, and it wastes its lavish production values. There is one poignant moment near the end, when Fu Manchu offers a dose of his elixir to his "nemesis" and tells him that "You've been my one worthy adversary; and now we can start all over again". That scene, however, along with Burt Kwouk's amusing cameo in the beginning, are the only memorable parts of the movie. (*1/2)
I don't have much to say about this movie. It could have been a wonderful tour-de-force for Peter Sellers, but it is one of the most tragic misfires in movie history. That it was Sellers final movie makes it all the more painful.
The terrible screenplay, direction and shockingly wooden performances all come dreadfully together to make this one of the most unwatchably awful movies ever made.
I wish so much that I could find even a snicker or a chuckle buried somewhere in this pile of putrid blubber, but it's a lifeless, humorless disaster. The truth hurts.
Peter, why couldn't you have stopped at BEING THERE?
The terrible screenplay, direction and shockingly wooden performances all come dreadfully together to make this one of the most unwatchably awful movies ever made.
I wish so much that I could find even a snicker or a chuckle buried somewhere in this pile of putrid blubber, but it's a lifeless, humorless disaster. The truth hurts.
Peter, why couldn't you have stopped at BEING THERE?
- squeezebox
- Mar 14, 2005
- Permalink
While "The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu" is by no means the best of Peter Sellers' work, for those who are fans and appreciate his whole output, the movie is enjoyable. Multiple characters for Sellers, "Goon Show"-type humor, a measure of unreality and strong supporting performances all contribute to it. The movie manages to mix only a few out-and-out laughs with some more subtle comedy, some farce, and even a few moments to ponder. The fact that it was Sellers' last performance might add to its attachment for fans, but I'll argue that it is a good and under-appreciated comedy. I'll hang onto my VHS copy and hope that a DVD version is produced.
- bierlingen-1
- May 29, 2006
- Permalink
Ok so here's the basic plot. It is 1933, Peter Sellers is Dr Fu Manchu, a 168 year old Chinese man who has lived quite a long time. The film opens with his birthday in which he celebrates by drinking a special elixir that (even the film never mentions) prolongs his life. Well on this occasion the elixir is clumsily dropped by an assistant (Kato if you remember the Pink Panther movies) and he orders his minions to then go find 6 rare items to make the elixir. This creates a global man hunt in which his henchmen end up robbing museums of diamonds and venturing into London, to meet up with Dr Fu's nemisis, a retired Scotland Yard detective Nayland Smith, also played by Sellers who tries to stop him in what is suppose to be a witty comedic adventure.
This was apparantly Sellers last full length feature film that he made before he died. The terrible tragedy is that he was in it. Sellers who is such a gifted comedian and has had memorable 'funny' roles in the Panther movies and particualrly in the movie 'The Party', is anything BUT that in this film. This film was absolute torture to sit through and I couldn't even finish it. He completly DIES and I kept cringing while watching Sellers performance. After coming of the great work of 'Being There' a year earlier how, I mean HOW can he make this and HOW did this thing even get made??? Like one person mentioned the first 10..15 minutes are ok but then it is ALL DOWNHILL...
Avoid like the plague.
Rating 1 out of 10.
This was apparantly Sellers last full length feature film that he made before he died. The terrible tragedy is that he was in it. Sellers who is such a gifted comedian and has had memorable 'funny' roles in the Panther movies and particualrly in the movie 'The Party', is anything BUT that in this film. This film was absolute torture to sit through and I couldn't even finish it. He completly DIES and I kept cringing while watching Sellers performance. After coming of the great work of 'Being There' a year earlier how, I mean HOW can he make this and HOW did this thing even get made??? Like one person mentioned the first 10..15 minutes are ok but then it is ALL DOWNHILL...
Avoid like the plague.
Rating 1 out of 10.
I have always been a bit mystified at the rather harsh critical reaction this film received when released in 1980. Granted, it does trade in some Asian stereotypes (as well as American and English stereotypes), but then one should remember that the film was a send-up of the original Fu Manchu novels and films, which were largely "Yellow Peril" fantasies. Further granted that it was not Peter Sellers best film. Still, despite some bits that fall a bit flat, it is a genuinely funny film with good performances, especially from Sellers in his dual role, and Helen Mirren, as the PC with the acting bug turned femme fatale. Not necessarily for Sellers fans only, but it does help if you already have some familiarity with the Fu Manchu character.
The film comedian Peter Sellers chose some rather poor films after a while. His box office appeal and professional reputation would sink to low depths. Films like "The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu" highlights all of this. The above film is sheer garbage from beginning to end. Having a running time of over 100 minutes might have some viewers running for the nearest exit as the film seems much longer! There are no decent laughs at all and the low budget is painfully obvious throughout. The opening scene that shows Fu Manchu's followers dancing to a disco song and Peter Sellers doing an Elvis impersonation just about says it all. I shalln't mention the plot because there isn't one to speak of. Speaking of whom, Sellers clearly looks in ill health and undernourished. His face is rather thin and the comedian lacks vitality. According to co-star Simon Williams, the behaviour of Sellers caused a tense atmosphere on the set. Williams said in an interview many years later: "Sellers was as mad as a f****** snake." How right he was! I saw this interview on television and the actor looked uncomfortable whilst discussing Peter Sellers. The comedian insisted that all the cast take vitamin injections so as to increase their energy levels! Naturally, everyone refused to do this and Sellers didn't mention it again. It is a pity that this original comedian who could play various characters in comedy finished up making this god-awful rubbish.
- alexanderdavies-99382
- Sep 24, 2017
- Permalink
Whilst not a Sellers classic I still feel this film did have a certain touch of Sellers genius about it. Alas it appears the majority of the reviewers here have never watched the Christopher Lee Fu Manchu films. It was such a wonderful parody that even now it has me laughing. Maybe it is because you really need to get some of the "in jokes". It also explains why this film was set in the Thirties as well ('cos the Christopher Lee ones were). So guys before criticising something try and find out why it is there. As a lover of horrors and comedies I found this a joyous blend of my favourite baddie suffering the humour of my favourite comedian. If you ever enjoyed a Christopher Lee baddie (and who didn't?) then don't miss this as a marvelous mickey taking. In fact I think it is about time to watch it again! Oh and DON'T eat Chinese food whilst watching this unless you like laughing noodles out through your nose!!!!!!
"The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu" at first view seems like a lost cause - a slapped-together, throw-away, do-what-you-want star-ego mess earned through star Peter Sellers' 70s Pink Panther popularity and renaissance.
I would suppose that when it opened, it was a huge letdown and an inappropriate follow-up to his career-capping masterpiece, "Being There". I remember reviewers measuring the posthumous "Fu Manchu" against that one, and the film rightfully could only come up as the poorer for it.
Since its release in the summer of 1980, the film has never been regarded as any good. Certainly in watching it the first time, it appears unworthy of any reevaluation. But going back to it again and again over the course of more than 30 years, the movie's charms start to materialize.
Sellers' performance(s) as both the villain AND its hero yield many sly little character bits, unique line-readings and embellish laugh-out-loud set pieces. He can also be heard in overdubs as the King and other characters, which just adds to the attempted tour de force on view.
Despite a fractured plot and uneven tone, the film cautiously reveals its DNA in classic British pantomime and music hall, filled with post- Goons era silliness. There's plays-on-words, humorous asides, larger than life performances, British satire and an abruptly absurd conclusion that is both poignant and stupid - all at the same time. It's a throw- back 50s or 60s programmer that Sellers excelled in, but by 1980, was well out of step with the more punctuated audience taste.
The movie largely ignores coherency, and rarely takes itself very seriously. It doesn't seem to have much in the way of an intentionally nasty bone in its body, though the stereotypes and racial insults embraced do take a bit of the fun out of it in retrospect.
Still the enjoyable "Fu Manchu" highlights Sellers game skills as a handily interpretive and original comic performer. Modestly anarchic, it is well worth watching now for what it is - versus the viewing through the cinematic prism of what came before, or what it could have been.
I would suppose that when it opened, it was a huge letdown and an inappropriate follow-up to his career-capping masterpiece, "Being There". I remember reviewers measuring the posthumous "Fu Manchu" against that one, and the film rightfully could only come up as the poorer for it.
Since its release in the summer of 1980, the film has never been regarded as any good. Certainly in watching it the first time, it appears unworthy of any reevaluation. But going back to it again and again over the course of more than 30 years, the movie's charms start to materialize.
Sellers' performance(s) as both the villain AND its hero yield many sly little character bits, unique line-readings and embellish laugh-out-loud set pieces. He can also be heard in overdubs as the King and other characters, which just adds to the attempted tour de force on view.
Despite a fractured plot and uneven tone, the film cautiously reveals its DNA in classic British pantomime and music hall, filled with post- Goons era silliness. There's plays-on-words, humorous asides, larger than life performances, British satire and an abruptly absurd conclusion that is both poignant and stupid - all at the same time. It's a throw- back 50s or 60s programmer that Sellers excelled in, but by 1980, was well out of step with the more punctuated audience taste.
The movie largely ignores coherency, and rarely takes itself very seriously. It doesn't seem to have much in the way of an intentionally nasty bone in its body, though the stereotypes and racial insults embraced do take a bit of the fun out of it in retrospect.
Still the enjoyable "Fu Manchu" highlights Sellers game skills as a handily interpretive and original comic performer. Modestly anarchic, it is well worth watching now for what it is - versus the viewing through the cinematic prism of what came before, or what it could have been.
- britishdominion
- Oct 22, 2013
- Permalink
Peter Sellers' career is enigmatic. At times, he was brilliant...one of the most talented men alive. His portrayals of Dr. Strangelove and Chance the gardener are amazing and Sellers was a master at playing a wide variety of characters. That being said, he also was a HORRIBLE judge of material. Often, after making an exceptional film, he made exceptionally bad films. For example, after being Oscar nominated for "Being There" he then made this film! How could a man have so many great performances as well as terrible ones?! Nevertheless, because I admire much of his work, I decided to watch this final Sellers movie...even though I heard horrible things about it.
Not surprisingly, Sellers plays the title character (as well as a few other characters). In fact, the various Fu Manchu movies featured white guys playing the Asian master criminal. Politically correct? Perhaps not...and this film is one of the later ones with non-Asians playing Asians.
The plot finds Dr. Fu Manchu out to steal a valuable yellow diamond. Why? Because his bumbling assistant broke the bottle of elixir that has kept the Doctor alive for 168 years...and part of the formula includes yellow diamond. When a famous Russian diamond is stolen as it toured the United States, the FBI sends some idiotic agents to meet with Scotland Yard to bring Fu Manchu to justice.
The biggest problem with this film is that the seemed to mistake WEIRD with FUNNY....and they aren't necessarily the same thing. So, you see things such as a guy mowing his office, a fat guy eating like a pig, the head FBI agent called 'Capone' and a guy being squirted in the crotch with a hose. All are strange...but in themselves not the least bit funny. One of the most unfunny things about the film is Capone, as Sid Caesar is pretty bad here and adds nothing positive to the picture.
Overall, a weird film...but one that is amazingly slow and bereft of real laughs. Sadly, Sellers died around the time this film was completed and it's sad that his career had to end on such a sour note. Perhaps he was just tired because of his bad heart and this might account for how flat the film is.
Not surprisingly, Sellers plays the title character (as well as a few other characters). In fact, the various Fu Manchu movies featured white guys playing the Asian master criminal. Politically correct? Perhaps not...and this film is one of the later ones with non-Asians playing Asians.
The plot finds Dr. Fu Manchu out to steal a valuable yellow diamond. Why? Because his bumbling assistant broke the bottle of elixir that has kept the Doctor alive for 168 years...and part of the formula includes yellow diamond. When a famous Russian diamond is stolen as it toured the United States, the FBI sends some idiotic agents to meet with Scotland Yard to bring Fu Manchu to justice.
The biggest problem with this film is that the seemed to mistake WEIRD with FUNNY....and they aren't necessarily the same thing. So, you see things such as a guy mowing his office, a fat guy eating like a pig, the head FBI agent called 'Capone' and a guy being squirted in the crotch with a hose. All are strange...but in themselves not the least bit funny. One of the most unfunny things about the film is Capone, as Sid Caesar is pretty bad here and adds nothing positive to the picture.
Overall, a weird film...but one that is amazingly slow and bereft of real laughs. Sadly, Sellers died around the time this film was completed and it's sad that his career had to end on such a sour note. Perhaps he was just tired because of his bad heart and this might account for how flat the film is.
- planktonrules
- Sep 1, 2022
- Permalink
I'm baffled as to why so many people hate this film.
This is vintage Sellers, a return to before Hollywood got it's grip on him. I saw it in the cinema, when I was 15, and laughed my ass off.
Lovely characters, funny set pieces, familiar faces and a plot-of-sorts.
Yes it can get a little slow, but I really wish you'd go and look at some of Sellers' films of the late 50's/early 60's. THAT'S where this film belongs.
It's VERY British and enters that whole territory that includes "One of our Dinosaurs is Missing", "The Magic Christian", "Peter Cook's Hound of the Baskervilles", "The Adventure of Sherlock Holmses Smarter Brother" and their ilk. Not a bad thing really, but perhaps a minority taste. These tend to play more like extended TV sketch shows, and tend not to appeal to the majority. I mean.. flying houses?!
My irritation is the addition of Sid Caeser and Steve Franken.. WHY??? Merely to make the film sellable to the US one would imagine! They serve no purpose at all. They come across as caracture Americans.. shooting at plants and the like!
And oh boy...Helen Mirren as PC Rage.. just TOO much!! The Lady of Warrington Minge!!
It's very Goon-like, in terms of plot and characterisation: David Tomlinson as Neddie, Simon Willams as Bluebottle, Sellers as Colonal Bloodnok.... but it DOES lack Milligan's edge and drive. Descendants of this film include "The Crimson Permanant Insurance"...
What about the scene with FIVE sets of the King and Queen in the theatre box?? Hysterical...
Make no mistake though....this is a vehicle for Sellers and his characters. Sellers is in top form as the bonkers, but delightfully deadpan Nayland Smith (and his .... attachment to a lawnmower!) and the evil Fu Manchu.. "Hello boys!".... He's Dr Evil before the fact! More impeccable characters. It is, in fact, quite gutting to see how much he still had to give, just before his death, and one does wonder what would follow, given his huge profile after the completion of "Being There", his pet project for nearly 10 years.
So there you have..... my attempt to balance things a bit. If you wants full-on Hollywood Sellers.. go see the Panthers. But maybe you'd like to have a closer look at Sellers the comic actor in a pearl of the British comedy. His last.
This is vintage Sellers, a return to before Hollywood got it's grip on him. I saw it in the cinema, when I was 15, and laughed my ass off.
Lovely characters, funny set pieces, familiar faces and a plot-of-sorts.
Yes it can get a little slow, but I really wish you'd go and look at some of Sellers' films of the late 50's/early 60's. THAT'S where this film belongs.
It's VERY British and enters that whole territory that includes "One of our Dinosaurs is Missing", "The Magic Christian", "Peter Cook's Hound of the Baskervilles", "The Adventure of Sherlock Holmses Smarter Brother" and their ilk. Not a bad thing really, but perhaps a minority taste. These tend to play more like extended TV sketch shows, and tend not to appeal to the majority. I mean.. flying houses?!
My irritation is the addition of Sid Caeser and Steve Franken.. WHY??? Merely to make the film sellable to the US one would imagine! They serve no purpose at all. They come across as caracture Americans.. shooting at plants and the like!
And oh boy...Helen Mirren as PC Rage.. just TOO much!! The Lady of Warrington Minge!!
It's very Goon-like, in terms of plot and characterisation: David Tomlinson as Neddie, Simon Willams as Bluebottle, Sellers as Colonal Bloodnok.... but it DOES lack Milligan's edge and drive. Descendants of this film include "The Crimson Permanant Insurance"...
What about the scene with FIVE sets of the King and Queen in the theatre box?? Hysterical...
Make no mistake though....this is a vehicle for Sellers and his characters. Sellers is in top form as the bonkers, but delightfully deadpan Nayland Smith (and his .... attachment to a lawnmower!) and the evil Fu Manchu.. "Hello boys!".... He's Dr Evil before the fact! More impeccable characters. It is, in fact, quite gutting to see how much he still had to give, just before his death, and one does wonder what would follow, given his huge profile after the completion of "Being There", his pet project for nearly 10 years.
So there you have..... my attempt to balance things a bit. If you wants full-on Hollywood Sellers.. go see the Panthers. But maybe you'd like to have a closer look at Sellers the comic actor in a pearl of the British comedy. His last.
I actually saw this movie in the theater back in it's original release. It was painful to watch Peter Sellers embarrass himself so badly. The story was incredibly lame and difficult to follow, and the ending was ridiculous. It was just sad to see how the mighty had fallen. I won't say that I'm a huge Peter Sellers fan, but I did thoroughly enjoy the Pink Panther series and I felt that he gave a strong performance in Being There. But this film should never have been made. From what I've read, he pursued producing this film against the advice of the people around him. Fine, but that still doesn't excuse the studio actually releasing the film.
Even if one didn't realize that Sellers was in poor health at the time of filming and passed away before the film's release, THE FIENDISH PLOT OF DR. FU MANCHU would be painful viewing. It is supposedly a lampoon of Sax Rohmer's famous Oriental villain but it lacks any focus. The potential for satirical commentary on the anti-Oriental overtones of Rohmer's concept are ignored. Indeed, the movie employs racist insults. There are hardly any actual jokes or gags, just mostly actors behaving idiotically and spouting dreary lines. It is especially distressing to see Sid Caesar forced to spout curses and racial slurs for attempted laughs. Most of the other actors embarrass themselves as well.
And then there's Peter Sellers. He plays the dual roles of the sinister Fu Manchu, who is trying to concoct a formula to regain his youth and his stalwart British foe Nayland Smith. Sellers isn't one hundred per cent bad; he conveys a quirky warmth as Smith when he discusses his fetishistic attachment to his lawn mower and he's oddly moving as Manchu when he expresses his love for English music hall entertainment. But most of the time, he plays both roles with a weary grimness, thus further sabotaging any comical possibilities. Sellers' routines where he revitalizes his fading strength with electric shocks are particularly excruciating; he seems too convincingly agonized to be funny.
A few genuinely witty lines, an apt slapstick bit by Burt Kwouk (Cato in the PINK PANTHER films) as one of Manchu's minions, and Helen Mirren's amusing musical numbers cannot salvage this mess. If anyone wants to understand why Peter Sellers is considered a comedic genius, they won't learn anything from THE FIENDISH PLOT OF DR. FU MANCHU.
And then there's Peter Sellers. He plays the dual roles of the sinister Fu Manchu, who is trying to concoct a formula to regain his youth and his stalwart British foe Nayland Smith. Sellers isn't one hundred per cent bad; he conveys a quirky warmth as Smith when he discusses his fetishistic attachment to his lawn mower and he's oddly moving as Manchu when he expresses his love for English music hall entertainment. But most of the time, he plays both roles with a weary grimness, thus further sabotaging any comical possibilities. Sellers' routines where he revitalizes his fading strength with electric shocks are particularly excruciating; he seems too convincingly agonized to be funny.
A few genuinely witty lines, an apt slapstick bit by Burt Kwouk (Cato in the PINK PANTHER films) as one of Manchu's minions, and Helen Mirren's amusing musical numbers cannot salvage this mess. If anyone wants to understand why Peter Sellers is considered a comedic genius, they won't learn anything from THE FIENDISH PLOT OF DR. FU MANCHU.
This may not be the very worst movie Peter Sellers ever did (I think that laurel goes to "The Prisoner of Zenda") but it is surely the most depressing. Sellers, especially sans makeup as Nayland Smith, looks like he has just undergone chemotherapy. As Fu Manchu, he looks hardly better and spends most of the film (with the exception of those strangely disturbing scenes where he gets jolted with electrical currents) on the verge of collapsing under the weight of all that makeup. The supporting players also look tired and run down, and Sid Caeser's presence is offensive even without his constant references to "Chinks!" (One bright spot: this would be one of the last times a major motion picture would portray Asians so insultingly ... or, for that matter, star a non-Asian as one!). The film seems surprisingly cheap, with soupy photography and drab sets - even the whiz-bang Elvis number at the end looks cut-rate. Only the stunning Helen Mirren and the tall, thin, nervous guy who get his pants wet add any sparks of life to this sad affair. All in all, this film provides an eerie premonition of a great comic's death, and an even eerier documentation of his dying.
- aramis-112-804880
- Dec 1, 2019
- Permalink
....shut it off. The prologue with Fu Manchu's birthday, and the opening credits of the assassins training, is amusing. Then it drops off faster than hair sprayed with Neat. Look for a cameo by Cato in the beginning, with a figurative wink at the audience.
What Peter Sellers' final motion picture, THE FIENDISH PLOT OF DR. FU MANCHU, has in common with his most popular franchise, THE PINK PANTHER, is that both parody James Bond...
Especially 1976's PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN, so over-the-top similar to the Roger Moore outings that MANCHU feels like a homage of a homage. But there's also the Christopher Lee MANCHU b-flicks and before that, Boris Karloff...
Sellers was obviously a fan of both as this was he and trophy wife Lynne Frederick's labor-of-love going through several directors, which shows since many overlong scenes lack any direction at all wherein, as usual, Sellers plays several roles, particularly pulp author Sax Rohmer's Tong-lord supervillain and his dogged Scotland Yard investigator Nayland Smith...
In both parts, Sellers, who died not long after production wrapped, seems too old and tired to not only pull off genuinely humorous performances but to move along an already convoluted and sometimes downright confusing story (one particular scheme involving an obese guard of a British diamond is a time-wasting mess)...
But he's not alone since Disney staple David Tomlinson, comic icon Sid Caesar and Peter's THE PARTY co-star Steve Franken are all along for a very crowded venture, consisting of Smith and company following several heists led by the 168-year-old kingpin, who, while lecturing his Chinese underlings, needs eclectic ingredients of an elixir to keep him both youthful and living...
Meanwhile, Helen Mirren, starting out with the good guys and winding up Fu's mistress, looks sexy and voluptuous (at first impersonating The Queen of England, ironically) and tries hard to inject some sincere class into the proceedings...
But by the time Smith's country cottage becomes a hot air balloon there's a feeling that mainstream laughter wasn't the intention to all the frantic, zany bedlam, more channeling the surrealistic Monty Python troupe (originally inspired by Sellers' The Goon Show), including bizarre gags like Smith being inseparable to a lawnmower...
Instead, FU MANCHU is an insanely busy spectacle that perhaps audiences were supposed to just go with and enjoy the nonsensical ride, which can be both horribly torturous and guiltily infectious - sometimes simultaneously...
As for the multi-talented, legendary, fan-beloved Mr. Sellers, this Swan Song is more of an Ugly Duckling Lullaby.
Especially 1976's PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN, so over-the-top similar to the Roger Moore outings that MANCHU feels like a homage of a homage. But there's also the Christopher Lee MANCHU b-flicks and before that, Boris Karloff...
Sellers was obviously a fan of both as this was he and trophy wife Lynne Frederick's labor-of-love going through several directors, which shows since many overlong scenes lack any direction at all wherein, as usual, Sellers plays several roles, particularly pulp author Sax Rohmer's Tong-lord supervillain and his dogged Scotland Yard investigator Nayland Smith...
In both parts, Sellers, who died not long after production wrapped, seems too old and tired to not only pull off genuinely humorous performances but to move along an already convoluted and sometimes downright confusing story (one particular scheme involving an obese guard of a British diamond is a time-wasting mess)...
But he's not alone since Disney staple David Tomlinson, comic icon Sid Caesar and Peter's THE PARTY co-star Steve Franken are all along for a very crowded venture, consisting of Smith and company following several heists led by the 168-year-old kingpin, who, while lecturing his Chinese underlings, needs eclectic ingredients of an elixir to keep him both youthful and living...
Meanwhile, Helen Mirren, starting out with the good guys and winding up Fu's mistress, looks sexy and voluptuous (at first impersonating The Queen of England, ironically) and tries hard to inject some sincere class into the proceedings...
But by the time Smith's country cottage becomes a hot air balloon there's a feeling that mainstream laughter wasn't the intention to all the frantic, zany bedlam, more channeling the surrealistic Monty Python troupe (originally inspired by Sellers' The Goon Show), including bizarre gags like Smith being inseparable to a lawnmower...
Instead, FU MANCHU is an insanely busy spectacle that perhaps audiences were supposed to just go with and enjoy the nonsensical ride, which can be both horribly torturous and guiltily infectious - sometimes simultaneously...
As for the multi-talented, legendary, fan-beloved Mr. Sellers, this Swan Song is more of an Ugly Duckling Lullaby.
- TheFearmakers
- May 27, 2024
- Permalink
- happipuppi13
- May 22, 2022
- Permalink
I saw this with my dad when I was 10. He is a huge Peter Sellers fan and therefore took me, and anyone who wanted to go, to see every Pink Panther movie. People talk about how awful it was, but I liked it so much, I insisted on seeing it twice when it was released.I bet I'm the only one who did. My favorite part has to be the musical production number at the end. I thought it was a fun scene for him to go out with.
Yes, Peter Sellers has made much better films. And if this weren't his last, his fans would probably dislike it a lot less. This movie isn't funny in a slapsticky kind of way. It's funny because it's such an unusual mix of comedy and adventure. I think it's a cult classic waiting to be rediscovered. And remember, Peter Sellars was warned by doctors not to do this movie. His poor health was in part a result of his insistence of doing all of his own stuntwork. If fans really respect Seller's dedication to his craft, they will appreciate the fact that he nearly killed himself, doing what he liked to do best - playing an eccentric characters like this. So why not honer the actor by watching his final screen performance? Allow yourself to forget all about Peter Seller's other work and let his portrayal here stand on it's own. Another suggestion: order some Chinese food to eat while you watch it. It can only make the viewing experience better.
Yes, Peter Sellers has made much better films. And if this weren't his last, his fans would probably dislike it a lot less. This movie isn't funny in a slapsticky kind of way. It's funny because it's such an unusual mix of comedy and adventure. I think it's a cult classic waiting to be rediscovered. And remember, Peter Sellars was warned by doctors not to do this movie. His poor health was in part a result of his insistence of doing all of his own stuntwork. If fans really respect Seller's dedication to his craft, they will appreciate the fact that he nearly killed himself, doing what he liked to do best - playing an eccentric characters like this. So why not honer the actor by watching his final screen performance? Allow yourself to forget all about Peter Seller's other work and let his portrayal here stand on it's own. Another suggestion: order some Chinese food to eat while you watch it. It can only make the viewing experience better.
This is, quite literally, the worst movie I have ever watched in my life. It may be the worst movie possible. Some movies are so bad that they're good; this movie is so bad that it goes past enjoyable camp and simply becomes unwatchably awful. It is the anti-enantiodromia. We bought it with the intent to heckle, and all of my family gathered around for a fun evening of clever remarks; instead, we sat in stunned silence, pitying poor Peter Sellers.
This is worse than the animated Lord of the Rings. It is worse than the Matrix sequels. It is worse than Krull. It is worse than any Batman movie.
Do not, under any circumstances, let this movie approach within ten feet of your television.
This is worse than the animated Lord of the Rings. It is worse than the Matrix sequels. It is worse than Krull. It is worse than any Batman movie.
Do not, under any circumstances, let this movie approach within ten feet of your television.
If you enjoyed the Pink Panther movies, try this one. I keep hearing about how this was a bad end to Peter Sellers' career, but I liked it. Perhaps these people are influenced by what they've heard. Hear me say it's funny, and go watch it yourself.
It's a cute satire/parody of the books, and, actually, reading one will add a little spice to the movie. Sellers also makes several little nudges to the audience when his dialog speaks about the movie. Sure, there are several dumb bits, but I think that the good parts greatly outweigh them. The movie, while with some Panther feeling, seems to be stretching a little toward Python and away from Stooges (slapstick). There's something else I recently picked upon, and that's its early 70s feeling (or late 60s), although it was made in 1980.
If you're looking for something a little dumb and silly, but that a person with a little extra brain would pick out the extra bits in, this is a pretty good movie.
It's a cute satire/parody of the books, and, actually, reading one will add a little spice to the movie. Sellers also makes several little nudges to the audience when his dialog speaks about the movie. Sure, there are several dumb bits, but I think that the good parts greatly outweigh them. The movie, while with some Panther feeling, seems to be stretching a little toward Python and away from Stooges (slapstick). There's something else I recently picked upon, and that's its early 70s feeling (or late 60s), although it was made in 1980.
If you're looking for something a little dumb and silly, but that a person with a little extra brain would pick out the extra bits in, this is a pretty good movie.