32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a diabolically criminally funny spoof, March 18, 2002
THE FIENDISH PLOT OF DR. FU MANCHU [hereinafter "Fu"] is a diabolically, criminally funny spoof of the preceding Fu villain movies. The opening scene was foretelling. Sellers, as a vintage Fu, is celebrating his 168th birthday. His crowd of sinister lackeys are singing "Happy Birthday." Fu calls for his life sustaining elixer to have a swig which would carry him over for another year. The elixer is brought into the chamber by an extremely familiar servant. This servant . . . uh, er let's call him Kato for want of a better name . . . well his robe catches fire and he douses the flame with all of the elixer. Now, Fu must replace the diamond ingredient elixer by stealing a couple of rare diamonds. After stealing one diamond, the action swings into a Chinese Fire Drill version of Pink Panther. To stop Fu, retired agent Nyland Smith, played by Oriental expert Sellers, is brought out of retirement. An FBI agent, Joe Capone played by Sid Caesar, becomes part of the Scotland Yard scenery. It was his job to belittle the Brits and draw his gun on cue. Agent Smith decides that Fu will kidnap the Royal Family; that they needed doubles to perform Royalty's civic functions. Those doubles were recruited from the police force and had to audition for the role. As auditioning Constable Alice Rage, Helen Mirren, did an a la Shirley Temple tap-dance number, singing "On the Good Ship Lollipop." I nearly choked on my popcorn from laughing. She won the role of Queen. Later in the film, I doubled up while she sang, "Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me a Bow-Wow." In a scene memorable of Jules Verne--or Bond for that matter--Agent Smith flies his cottage by balloon entitled, "Spirit of Wiltshire." This was Seller's final movie. Too bad that many of his fans, including myself, missed this very funny one at the box office. And, for sure, Helen Mirren was a Wow.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Sellers' Last Hurrah, July 31, 1999
"The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu" will not be remembered as one of Peter Sellers' finest cinematic achievements. However, it does feature a priceless Sellers performance. As detective Nayland Smith, he gives a beautifully detailed and touching portrayal - even better than his affectionate tribute to Fu Manchu. The 1980 film remains a hit-or-miss affair, yet boasts a good cast (particularly Helen Mirren as Constable Alice Rage) and vibrant Technicolor cinematography. Though it doesn't approach the heights of "Dr. Strangelove" and "Being There," the amusing "Fu Manchu" has a "Goon Show" spirit that seems more appropriate for a Sellers swan song.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
PLEASE, PLEASE PUT ON DVD, December 3, 2004
This is a great movie!!! Why is it no one will put it on DVD???!!! The Pink Panther series is on DVD why not this one???!!!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
