The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu is a 1980 comedy film starring Peter Sellers in the dual role of Fu Manchu, a megalomaniacal Chinese evil genius, and Scotland Yard detective Nayland Smith, Fu Manchu's nemesis. The film was directed by Piers Haggard, written by Rudy Dochtermann, Jim Moloney, Sellers, and produced by Zev Braun, Leland Nolan, and Playboy Productions. It was the final film featuring Peter Sellers and David Tomlinson. The film is based on characters created by Sax Rohmer. The plot revolves around Fu Manchu's attempts to create a youth elixir using the crown jewels and other ingredients. Detective Nayland Smith tries to stop him with the help of a team of agents. The film received mixed reviews.
Plot
The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu is a 1980 comedy film starring Peter Sellers in the dual role of Fu Manchu, a megalomaniacal Chinese evil genius, and Scotland Yard detective Nayland Smith, Fu Manchu's nemesis. The plot revolves around Fu Manchu's attempts to create a youth elixir using the crown jewels and other ingredients, while Detective Nayland Smith tries to stop him with the help of a team of agents.
Trailer
Cast
- Peter Sellers as Nayland Smith and Dr. Fu Manchu
- Helen Mirren as Alice Rage
- David Tomlinson as Sir Roger Avery
- Sid Caesar as Joe Capone
- Simon Williams as Robert Townsend
- John Le Mesurier as Lord Edward Leyton
- Rene Aranda as Sancho Hatton
- Steve Franken as Dr. Hu
- Burt Kwouk as Feng
Director: Piers Haggard
Writer: Rudy Dochtermann, Jim Moloney
Box office gross: $10,697,276
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Genre: Comedy
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 8, 1980
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 5, 2012
Theme
The theme of the movie is a comedic take on the classic story of the evil genius Dr. Fu Manchu and his nemesis, Scotland Yard detective Nayland Smith. The movie satirizes the spy and detective genres, as well as the portrayal of Asian characters in Western media.
Reception
The movie received mixed reviews from critics upon its release in 1980. Some praised Peter Sellers' performance, while others criticized the film's uneven tone and lack of focus.
Production Challenges
The movie faced several production challenges, including Peter Sellers' declining health during filming and conflicts between the producers and director over the film's tone and direction.
Settings, Visual Styles, and Techniques
The movie is set in various locations, including London, Paris, and Hong Kong. The visual style of the movie is a mix of comedy and spy thriller, with exaggerated costumes and sets. The movie uses various techniques, such as split-screen and slow-motion, to enhance the comedic and action sequences.
Trivia and Fun Facts
- The movie was Peter Sellers' last film before his death in 1980.
- The movie was based on characters created by Sax Rohmer, who wrote a series of novels featuring Dr. Fu Manchu.
- The movie features a cameo by David Tomlinson, who played Mr. Banks in the Disney film "Mary Poppins."
- The movie was produced by Playboy Productions, the entertainment division of Playboy Enterprises.
- The movie's soundtrack was composed by Marc Wilkinson, who also composed the music for the TV series "The Avengers."