Obey Fu Manchu… or every living thing will die!
Film Synopsis
Believed to be dead, the infamous Dr. Fu Manchu resurfaces in London, plotting to unleash a deadly poison derived from a stolen ancient formula. As bodies pile up, his relentless nemesis Nayland Smith pursues him through a maze of murder, deception, and terror. This atmospheric thriller kicks off the Fu Manchu film series with a mix of mystery, exotic menace, and classic pulp adventure.
Critical Perspective
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Starting with an eerily filmed beheading, moving through colourful chemical warfare experiments and mysteriously hypnotic trances, this movie culminates in a tunnel under the Thames where Fu Manchu executes a female servant by drowning her in a glass cage. The plot, loosely based on Sax Rohmer’s characters, is merely an excuse for Sharp to string together excellently staged scenes in wonderfully atmospheric surroundings.
Phil Hardy, The Overlook Film Encyclopedia: Horror (The Overlook Press, 1994)
The Face of Fu Manchu Blu-ray & DVD-R editions
See which disc extras are included across selected editions.
| Disc Extras | Indicator BD-B/UK/OOP 2020 | Warner DVD-R-0/US 2012 |
|---|---|---|
| Audio Commentary by Stephen Jones and Kim Newman | ||
| Introduction by Vic Pratt | ||
| Underneath the Skin - Interview with Christopher Frayling | ||
| Archival Interview with Actor Christopher Lee | ||
| The BEHP Interview with Don Sharp, Part One: From Hobart to Hammer - Audio Interview with Director Don Sharp | ||
| The BEHP Interview with Ernest Steward, Part One: The BIP Years - Audio Interview with Cinematographer Ernest Steward | ||
| Alternate French Opening Title Sequence and End Credits | ||
| Alternate Spanish Opening Title Sequence | ||
| Alternate US Opening Title Sequence | ||
| Stills Gallery | ||
| French Theatrical Trailer | ||
| German Theatrical Trailer | ||
| UK Theatrical Trailer | ||
| Super 8 Version as “The Horrors of Fu-Man-Chu” and “The Face of Fu Manchu” |
Edition and Packaging Notes
- Indicator’s Blu-ray is included in “The Fu Manchu Cycle 1965-1969” box set with The Brides of Fu Manchu (1966), The Vengeance of Fu Manchu (1967), The Blood of Fu Manchu (1968) and The Castle of Fu Manchu (1969). It contains a 120-page booklet with writing by Tim Lucas (“The World Shall Hear from Me Again!: The Fu Manchu Films of the 1960s”) and Jeff Billington (“Towers of Liechtenstein: The Colourful Career of Harry Alan Towers”); a double-sided poster; and 5 replica production stills. Reissued individually without booklet (2022-05-23).
- Warner’s “Archive Collection” DVD-R contains no extras.
~ Found an error or know of another edition? Submit a correction or release update. ~
Collector’s guide
Compare presentation quality and explore notable disc extras across selected editions.
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Introduction by Vic Pratt (6:51) -
Underneath the Skin (48:35) -
Archival Interview with Actor Christopher Lee (1965, 3:54)
| Editions |
Indicator BD 2020
|
|---|---|
| Extras | Audio Commentary by Stephen Jones and Kim Newman Indicator BD |
| Introduction by Vic Pratt Indicator BD | |
| Underneath the Skin - Interview with Christopher Frayling Indicator BD | |
| Archival Interview with Actor Christopher Lee Indicator BD | |
| The BEHP Interview with Don Sharp, Part One: From Hobart to Hammer - Audio Interview with Director Don Sharp Indicator BD | |
| The BEHP Interview with Ernest Steward, Part One: The BIP Years - Audio Interview with Cinematographer Ernest Steward Indicator BD | |
| Alternate French Opening Title Sequence and End Credits Indicator BD | |
| Alternate Spanish Opening Title Sequence Indicator BD | |
| Alternate US Opening Title Sequence Indicator BD | |
| Stills Gallery Indicator BD | |
| French Theatrical Trailer Indicator BD | |
| German Theatrical Trailer Indicator BD | |
| UK Theatrical Trailer Indicator BD | |
| Super 8 Version as “The Horrors of Fu-Man-Chu” and “The Face of Fu Manchu” Indicator BD |