This is Hammer Studios version of a Fu Manchu movie. It even has Fu himself, Christopher Lee appear as the Chinese master criminal in this one, as the head of the Tongs crime syndicate who make the mistake of killing the daughter of a British merchant who makes it his mission to enact revenge on the criminals and bring them down. Geoffrey Toone plays the hero and it has to be said that he makes for a pretty dull presence on the whole. Lee is unexpectedly much better in an over-the-top performance. He, like many of the cast are European actors with heavy make-up to make them look Chinese, which I guess makes the film somewhat an anachronism and culturally insensitive. But it also gives it a clunky charm of sorts, given that it clearly is not trying to cause offense but is merely an example of its era. The film as a whole, benefits from the usual nice colourful set design which typified Hammer's output. But also, like many other Hammer movies it also is extremely routine and devoid of any surprises whatsoever. Consequently, this one is another effort of theirs which is more solid than inspired. Its probably best remembered now more for its of-its-time racial stereotyping than anything else. Overall, a decently entertaining time-capsule bit of hokum.
Review of The Terror of the Tongs
