Watch The Brides of Fu Manchu

The Brides of Fu Manchu is a classic 1966 adventure-thriller directed by Don Sharp and starring Christopher Lee as the notorious criminal mastermind Fu Manchu. The film is based on the characters created by British author Sax Rohmer in his series of novels. The movie is the second in the Fu Manchu series, following the success of 1965's The Face of Fu Manchu.

The story is set in the 1920s and follows Dr. Petrie (Douglas Wilmer), a British Intelligence agent, who is recruited by his superior, Sir Charles (Neil Hallett), to stop the evil schemes of Fu Manchu. Fu Manchu is a dangerous villain who is bent on world domination and has created a secret society that he uses to carry out his evil plans.

In this movie, Fu Manchu has kidnapped young women from all over the world and turned them into his brainwashed slaves. He plans to use them as part of a plot to get his hands on an incredibly powerful weapon that he believes will give him ultimate power over the world. The weapon is hidden somewhere in Asia, and it is up to Dr. Petrie to track it down before it falls into the hands of Fu Manchu.

Dr. Petrie is joined on his mission by Carl Jansen (Heinz Drache), a Dutch detective who is also trying to stop Fu Manchu. Together, they travel to Istanbul and then on to Asia, where they encounter many dangers and obstacles in their quest to find the weapon and stop Fu Manchu.

The Brides of Fu Manchu is a classic escapist adventure movie, with plenty of action, suspense, and exotic locations. The movie is set in a time when the British Empire was still a major world power, and there is a sense of colonialism and superiority that is reflected in the attitudes of the British characters. However, the movie also features strong female characters, such as Ingrid (Marie Versini), one of the brainwashed brides of Fu Manchu, who ultimately turns against her captor and helps Dr. Petrie and Carl in their mission.

Christopher Lee is a commanding presence as Fu Manchu, and his performance is one of the highlights of the movie. He plays the role with gleeful malevolence, relishing in his character's evil plans and delivering his lines with a grandiose theatricality. Douglas Wilmer is also excellent as Dr. Petrie, portraying him as a brave and resourceful hero who is determined to stop Fu Manchu at any cost.

The Brides of Fu Manchu was made in a time when the world was still reeling from the aftermath of World War II and the Cold War was escalating. The movie reflects this era with its portrayal of a megalomaniac villain who is obsessed with acquiring power and ruling the world. However, it also offers a sense of hope, with its depiction of brave heroes who are willing to put their lives on the line to stop him.

In conclusion, The Brides of Fu Manchu is a classic adventure movie that still holds up well today. It offers an entertaining and thrilling story, great performances from its cast, and plenty of action and suspense. If you are a fan of classic adventure movies or Christopher Lee, this is definitely a movie you should check out.

The Brides of Fu Manchu is a 1966 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4.