On this day August 8 1980, The Fiendish Plot of Dr Fu Manchu premiered in theaters. This comedy marked the final film appearance of the legendary Peter Sellers, who took on the dual roles of both the notorious criminal mastermind Dr Fu Manchu and his long time nemesis, Inspector Nayland Smith.
The film followed Fu Manchu as he neared his 168th birthday, relying on a mystical elixir to prolong his life. When the final ingredient is stolen, a global chase ensues, pitting the eccentric villain against a familiar detective foe in a campy, exaggerated battle of wits. Filled with slapstick moments and absurdist humor, the movie attempted to parody old serials and exotic adventure films from the early 20th century.
Though it was released with anticipation due to Sellers’ involvement, the film was plagued by production issues and failed to connect with critics or audiences. Sellers himself was reportedly dissatisfied with the final cut, and it would be the last project released before his untimely death just weeks earlier on July 24, 1980.
80s insight: The Fiendish Plot of Dr Fu Manchu marked the end of an era, closing the curtain on Peter Sellers’ extraordinary film career with a nod to the kind of broad, madcap comedy he helped define.
The film followed Fu Manchu as he neared his 168th birthday, relying on a mystical elixir to prolong his life. When the final ingredient is stolen, a global chase ensues, pitting the eccentric villain against a familiar detective foe in a campy, exaggerated battle of wits. Filled with slapstick moments and absurdist humor, the movie attempted to parody old serials and exotic adventure films from the early 20th century.
Though it was released with anticipation due to Sellers’ involvement, the film was plagued by production issues and failed to connect with critics or audiences. Sellers himself was reportedly dissatisfied with the final cut, and it would be the last project released before his untimely death just weeks earlier on July 24, 1980.
80s insight: The Fiendish Plot of Dr Fu Manchu marked the end of an era, closing the curtain on Peter Sellers’ extraordinary film career with a nod to the kind of broad, madcap comedy he helped define.
