BR PACK: THE FU MANCHU CYCLE, 1965-1969
*Includes an exclusive poster only available with direct orders from this website (poster features the famous FU MANCHU FOR MAYOR design, originally printed to coincide with the 1965 mayoral elections in New York, see image on this page).
THE FACE OF FU MANCHU (Don Sharp, 1965)
THE BRIDES OF FU MANCHU (Don Sharp, 1966)
THE VENGEANCE OF FU MANCHU (Jeremy Summers, 1967)
THE BLOOD OF FU MANCHU (Jesús Franco, 1968)
THE CASTLE OF FU MANCHU (Jesús Franco, 1969)
Release date: 19 October 2020
Limited Blu-ray Edition (2 x UK & 3 x World Blu-ray premieres)
In 1965, maverick British producer and writer Harry Alan Towers (The Bloody Judge) scored a hit with The Face of Fu Manchu, a thrilling revival of Sax Rohmer’s super-villain imperiously portrayed by Christopher Lee (The Terror of the Tongs). Over the next four years, Lee and Towers would collaborate with directors Don Sharp (Psychomania), Jeremy Summers and Jesús Franco (Venus in Furs) on four ever more delirious tales of attempted world domination (The Brides of Fu Manchu, The Vengeance of Fu Manchu, The Blood of Fu Manchu, The Castle of Fu Manchu), each pitting the criminal mastermind against his arch-nemesis Nayland Smith, as played variously by Nigel Green (Play Dirty), Douglas Wilmer (Sherlock Holmes) and Richard Greene (The Adventures of Robin Hood).
Now, all five classic Fu Manchu films are presented on Blu-ray for the first time, newly restored from original negatives and containing a wealth of new and archival extras, including critical appreciations, cast and crew interviews and audio commentaries. This stunning Limited Edition box set is strictly limited to 6,000 units, and is presented with an exclusive, fully illustrated 120-page book, featuring new writing by Tim Lucas.
INDICATOR LIMITED BLU-RAY EDITION BOX SET SPECIAL FEATURES:
THE FACE OF FU MANCHU
New restoration from a 4K scan of the original negative
Original mono audio
Audio commentary with critics Kim Newman and Stephen Jones (2020)
The BEHP Interview with Don Sharp – Part One (1993): archival audio recording, made as part of the British Entertainment History Project, featuring Sharp in conversation with Teddy Darvas and Alan Lawson
Super 8 version: cut-down home cinema presentation
Original theatrical trailer
Image gallery: promotional and publicity material
New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
World premiere on Blu-ray
More extras to be announced
All extras subject to change
THE BRIDES OF FU MANCHU
New restoration from a 4K scan of the original negative
Original mono audio
Audio commentary with film historians Jonathan Rigby and Kevin Lyons (2020)
Kim Newman on Sax Rohmer and the Fu Manchu novels
The BEHP Interview with Don Sharp – Part Two (1993): archival audio recording, made as part of the British Entertainment History Project, featuring Sharp in conversation with Teddy Darvas and Alan Lawson
The BEHP Interview with Ernest Steward (1990): archival audio recording of an interview with the respected cinematographer, made as part of the British Entertainment History Project
Original theatrical trailer
Image gallery: promotional and publicity material
New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
World premiere on Blu-ray
More extras to be announced
All extras subject to change
THE VENGEANCE OF FU MANCHU
New restoration from a 4K scan of the original negative
Original mono audio
The BEHP Interview with Jeremy Summers (2001): archival audio recording, made as part of the British Entertainment History Project, featuring Summers in conversation with Darrol Blake
Archival interview with Harry Alan Towers
New interview with first assistant director Anthony Waye (2020)
The Ghost of Monk’s Island (1966): Jeremy Summers directs this exciting mystery made for the Children’s Film Foundation
Original theatrical trailer
Image gallery: promotional and publicity material
New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
World premiere on Blu-ray
More extras to be announced
All extras subject to change
THE BLOOD OF FU MANCHU
New restoration from a 4K scan of the original negative
Original mono audio
Audio commentary with critics David Flint and Adrian Smith (2020)
Visions of the Yellow Peril (2020): Christopher Frayling on ethnocentrism in the Fu Manchu cycle
New interview with clapper loader Ray Andrew (2020)
New interview with Stephen Thrower on Fu Manchu and Jesús Franco’s collaborations with Harry Alan Towers (2020)
The Mystery of Dr. Fu-Manchu: The Fiery Hand (1923): a chilling episode of the original silent serial, starring Harry Agar Lyons as the evil mastermind
Original theatrical trailer
Image gallery: promotional and publicity material
New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
UK premiere on Blu-ray
More extras to be announced
All extras subject to change
THE CASTLE OF FU MANCHU
New restoration from a 4K scan of the original negative
Original mono audio
New interview with star Rosalba Neri (2020)
The Further Mysteries of Dr. Fu-Manchu: The Coughing Horror (1924): Fu Manchu torments Nayland Smith with a terrifying creature in this silent serial sequel
Original theatrical trailer
Image gallery: promotional and publicity material
New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
UK premiere on Blu-ray
More extras to be announced
All extras subject to change
Limited edition exclusive 120-page book with a new essay on the Fu Manchu cycle by Tim Lucas, a look at the career of producer/screenwriter Harry Alan Towers, an examination of the work of Fu Manchu creator Sax Rohmer, new writing on The Ghost of Monk’s Island and the Stoll Pictures’ Fu Manchu silent serials, archival newspaper articles on the films, extracts from the films’ pressbooks, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits
Limited edition exclusive double-sided poster and five replica production stills
UK and World premieres on Blu-ray
Limited edition box set of 6,000 numbered units
