Customer Reviews

Fiendish Plot Of Fu Manchu

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Released shortly after Peter Sellers' death, "The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu" (1980) will not be remembered as one of the comic actor's finest achievements. However, it features a priceless Sellers performance. As detective Nayland Smith, he gives a beautifully detailed portrayal - better than his amusing tribute to Dr. Fu Manchu. This hit-and-miss comedy boasts a good cast (notably Helen Mirren as Constable Alice Rage) and vibrant Technicolor cinematography by Jean Tournier. Though critically derided, "Fu Manchu" evokes a "Goon Show" spirit that seems appropriate for a Sellers farewell. The Warner Archive DVD includes a long-overdue widescreen transfer, but no extras.

I have been waiting for this to come out again for years, and I hope this is a sign that a DVD is not far off. While yes this movie does have comedy, it also has quite a serious theme in proving you can still run.

Both Nayland Smith and Fu Manchu are climbing in years. Nayland has been broken thanks to his obsession with Fu and now spends his time with his butler and a lawnmower named "Delight" (Parody of Citizen Kane's "Rosebud" maybe?) while Fu sits back in his hide out. An accident (caused by a very familiar person to Pink Panther fans) drives Fu Manchu to open crime again which leads to Nayland being back on his trail.

As the movie goes on you can see an open change in Nayland as the chase is once again resumed and he works to foil Fu Manchu's plot. The ending is a neat twist with both admitting they can't enjoy the hunt without each other.

There are some fun easter eggs in here such as Fu Manchu insisting he be called "Fred", a throwback to the Goon Show which are fun to watch for.

All in all enough comedy to have fun with but also a movie for people who don't like "good vs evil" to be done so by the book.

I've read some less-than-positive reviews on the internet about this final movie in Peter Sellers' career, and I have to respectfully disagree. I saw Fu Manchu when it originally hit theaters back in the 80's, and ever since it's become one of my favorites in the Sellers collection. It's just a LOT of fun to watch, and Peter's amazing talent for creating memorable characters is as evident here as in The Pink Panther Franchise and his other works.

Don't judge this one too harshly - it's a movie that's meant for pure entertainment, not over-analysis. And it delivers! Heck, HELEN MIRREN in a Peter Sellers movie is just one of many reasons to check it out! I've been waiting years for this one to hit DVD, and now that it's at least available to rent on Amazon, maybe DVD isn't too far off!

It's a bit high for a disc..but, if you're a fan of Peter Sellers...treat yourself..It's his last film and will probably be a cult classic, if not already. I've never spent this much on a disc, but, in this case, I don't regret it. Having seen it before, I knew what a treat it would be...and it was...for plot reviews etc..go to IMDB....

Fiendish Plot Of Fu Manchu

Don't miss this! The last dual Quirky performances of Peter Sellers!
Without this your collection is incomplete. This is an excellent widescreen
transfer and a joy to watch. Includes the dance rendition of "Good Ship Lollypop"
by Helen Mirrin that will immortalize her. A must have for any Sellers fan.

I saw this when it came out in the theaters and liked it then. Watching it through 21st century eyes, I can see how it comes off as politically incorrect to a degree, but it doesn't offend me in the slightest. If you are a die hard Peter Sellers fan, I'd say it deserves a look. Helen Mirren is a riot! It's not a thinker, just silliness and tongue-in-cheek British humor. I am glad that this is finally being made available. This DVD wont play on all systems, so read the details before you buy it!

I purchased this flick because I'm a Peter Sellers completist having seen virtually everything he's done that's currently on DVD. I'm waiting with baited breath for the day when they release "Undercovers Hero" and "The Prisoner of Zenda". Seriously. This film was released posthumously in 1980 and I remember seeing it as a kid on a double-bill with "Brubaker". Weren't double-features swell. Sometimes they offered no rhyme or reason. It didn't leave much of an impression on me outside of sporadic boredom. I decided to revisit the film in light of having seen the majority of Sellers' vehicles and see if it stood up. Time has been kinder to the film only slightly, however. It's sporadically funny but it's not really inspired. Sellers isn't exactly sleepwalking through the film in the dual roles of Fu Manchu and Scotland Yard detective Nayland Smith but he seems tired. The high point to me is a young Helen Mirren playing sax and tapdancing to "The Good Ship Lollipop". Mirren had the distinction of appearing in two films released in 1980 associated with Hugh Hefner(this one) and Bob Guccione ("Caligula"). Helen probably fired her agent soonafter. What also bought a chuckle to my face is an amusing cameo by Burt Kwouk who co-starred with Sellers as Kato in "The Pink Panther" films. It's hard for me to recommend this film to anybody but Sellers diehards or the mildly curious.

Fiendishly Amusing. Peter Sellers was a very funny man. The story line is completely absurd -- but that is the whole point, isn't it?

I have been a Peter Sellers fan for years and had only heard of "The Fiendish Plot Of Dr. Fu Manchu" through researching his filmography. I knew that it was his last film and that it was released after his death and because of this fact, I knew I had to have it. When I learned it had finaly been released onto DVD I snatched it up fast.

I give Mr. Sellers final film 5 stars as he delivers 100% of his unique acting style and delivers to us the brilliant characters that we are used to seeing from him.

The film is fun and full of wonderful imagery from the opening scene to the final shot. The story line is totaly whacky and easy to follow. Every scene is extremely enjoyable to watch due to Peter's unique way of delivering himself on screen.There is plenty of slap-stick comedy and set designs that you will only ever see in a Peter Sellers film.

I highly recommend this film to any Peter Sellers fan and am confident that you will be delighted to watch it.

While Peter Sellers still had his skill as a comedic actor this film proves to be a poor vehicle for his talents. Based on dime novel stories, this film sees Fu Manchu (played by Peter Sellers) at the end of his very long life and seeking the ingredients for the elixir vitae, a concoction which will restore his youth and vitality. His thefts soon bring him to the attention of both the FBI and Scotland Yard and Fu's old adversary, Nayland Smith (also played by Peter Sellers), is brought out of retirement in order to combat the plot. Hilarity follows?

While the film is not a total loss neither is it one of those comedies with memorable scenes. The plot proceeds with almost mechanical timing. It's a pity... one would think with Peter Sellers in the cast that the film would really take off. Still, better than much of what is coming out today and well worth seeing.