Watch The Castle of Fu Manchu

The Castle of Fu Manchu is a 1969 film that is directed by Jess Franco and stars Christopher Lee, Richard Greene, and Howard Marion-Crawford. This is the fifth and final film in a series of movies featuring the infamous character of Fu Manchu, who is portrayed by Lee. The film is loosely based on the novels of Sax Rohmer and revolves around the sinister plans of Fu Manchu who is seeking to destroy the world by creating a massive tidal wave.

The story begins with Fu Manchu acquiring a new weapon, a device that can freeze any liquid in its path, including the water in a person's body. Using this device, Fu Manchu plans to extract a rare mineral from deep beneath the ocean, which he intends to use to create a powerful weapon capable of causing a massive tidal wave. The evil mastermind is aided by a group of loyal followers who are willing to do whatever it takes to help him achieve his goals.

On the other side, an international team of intelligence agents is hot on his trail, led by Sir Dennis Nayland Smith, played by the renowned British actor, Richard Greene. The team also includes Dr. Petrie, played by Howard Marion-Crawford. Together, they try to stop Fu Manchu from carrying out his diabolical plan and save the world from impending disaster.

The film takes us through a series of exotic locations, from Fu Manchu's castle in Turkey to his secret underwater laboratory, and finally to his hidden base in the Himalayas. The story is full of action and suspense, as the heroes try to outsmart Fu Manchu at every turn. Christopher Lee is particularly memorable in his role as the cunning and ruthless villain, who is always one step ahead of the authorities.

The Castle of Fu Manchu is a movie that relies heavily on its exotic locations and James Bond-style action sequences. The film is notable for its stylish production design, particularly the elaborate sets of Fu Manchu's underground laboratory and his Himalayan base. There are also some thrilling chase sequences, including a car chase through the streets of Istanbul, and an underwater chase involving a submarine and a speedboat.

Despite its entertaining elements, the film has been criticized for its racist portrayal of Asian characters. The film features several instances of yellowface, where Caucasian actors play Asian characters, including Christopher Lee, who uses prosthetic makeup to appear Chinese. The portrayal of Fu Manchu as a stereotypical villain, obsessed with world domination, has also been criticized for its perpetuation of harmful stereotypes.

In conclusion, The Castle of Fu Manchu is an entertaining, if somewhat problematic, film that will appeal to fans of action and adventure movies from the 60s and 70s. The film's exotic locations, stylish production design, and thrilling action sequences make it a fun watch. Christopher Lee's performance as the evil Fu Manchu is particularly memorable and adds to the film's overall appeal. However, viewers should be aware of the film's racist and stereotypical elements, which can be jarring for modern audiences.

The Castle of Fu Manchu is a 1968 crime movie. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 2.9.