Fu Manchu - Watch Order: Essential Films
This curated watch list focuses on the peak of the Fu Manchu series, featuring the three strongest films that showcase Christopher Lee at his most commanding as the criminal mastermind. These entries represent Hammer Studios' most successful adaptation of Sax Rohmer's character, with superior production values and storytelling.
The later films in the series suffered from declining budgets and weaker scripts, making this essential watch list the ideal way to experience Fu Manchu's cinematic legacy without the disappointing final entries.
The Face of Fu Manchu
Grisly strangulations in London alert Nayland Smith of Scotland Yard to the possibility that fiendish Fu Manchu may not after all be dead, even though Smith witnessed his execution. A killer spray made from Tibetan berries seems to be involved and clues keep leading back to the Thames.
The Brides of Fu Manchu
This time Fu Manchu and his army of henchmen are kidnaping the daughters of prominent scientists and taking them to his remote island headquarters. Instead of asking for ransom, Fu demands that the fathers help him to build a death ray, which he intends to use to take over the world. But Fu's archenemy, Nayland Smith of Scotland Yard, is determined not to let that happen.
The Vengeance of Fu Manchu
In his remote China hideaway the evil Fu Manchu plots the death and discredit of his arch rival, Inspector Nayland Smith of Scotland Yard.
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Shaft
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The Joker
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Trancers
A sci-fi action series about Jack Deth, a time-traveling cop from the 23rd century hunting down zombie-like creatures called Trancers.