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A different way of telling a story

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

THE DRUMS OF FU MANCHU is a classic Republic-era serial in which Nayland Smith and his co-horts do battle with the ever-fiendish Dr Fu Manchu and his endless 'dacoit' army. This overlong serial clocks in at no less than fifteen chapters (with the first chapter being particularly lengthy), meaning that it has a sluggish pace. The slow and repetitive nature of the production sees it pale in comparison to the likes of RADAR MEN FROM THE MOON, for example.Still, fans of the era will find much to enjoy here, not least the endless fisticuff action between the good guys and the bad guys. Lengthy fist-fights are the order of the day here, along with shoot-outs and knife-throwing. At least a couple of henchmen are bumped off every chapter, while the action roves around the globe and takes place in planes, trains, cars, clifftops, and hidden underground temples.The simplistic storyline sees Fu Manchu in search of the tomb of Genghis Khan, which is said to contain a magical artifact allowing him to control the whole of Asia. A white actor, Henry Brandon, plays the villain, and he looks very sinister; the rest of the cast are a little dull, though, aside from an ever-fun Dwight Frye in a minor villainous role. Come chapter seven or eight, I couldn't help but feel this was all very repetitive and dragged out; there are only so many times you can put up with Fu Manchu being captured and escaping, for example. Still, the cliffhanger scenes are ever fun, and it's still worthwhile escapism.

Sax Rohmer, author and creator of FU MANCHU conceived the enduring Criminal Master-Mind aided by Super-Science. One whose ambitions ranged further then Sir Arthur Conan Doyles, PROFESSOR MORIARTY or later Norbert Jacques, DR. MABUSE. Continental, if not World conquest was his objective. His descendent's can be traced to Flash Gordon's THE EMPEROR MING along with Marvel Comic-Book Super-Villains THE MANDARIN and THE YELLOW CLAW. FU MANCHU's primary goal is to drive out "THE WHITE DEVILS" and reward his minions with their 'WHITE WOMEN'. Sounds like some current minority political opportunists or those athlete's with their 'White Trophy Wives'!The best known version, THE MASK OF FU MANCHU, M.G.M. (1932) featured all these concepts since it was pre-code. Actor Boris Karloff firmly setting the pattern of how a would be Conquerer should act. DRUMS OF FU MANCHU, Republic (1940) continued in a somewhat toned down manner being a code film. Henry Brandon ably handled the role though barely recognizable under his make-up and altered voice. Unfortunately his supporting cast was not up too his level and the script stretched the serial three (3) chapters to many. Though as was typical of Republic product of the time it featured plenty of fast paced action.This is still a enjoyable Serial but would not rate it as high as the FLASH GORDON franchise. Nor Republics best efforts like the ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN MARVEL (1941), G-MEN vs THE BLACK DRAGON (1943) or THE MASKED MARVEL (1943). Our copy came courtesy of VCI ENTERTAINMENT. The DVD is satisfactorily remastered, but not restored. Some of the early chapters are very soft and the sound quality is uneven. It is obvious that original masters were not used or were in very poor condition. To see the difference, compare D.O.F.M. with their 70th Anniversary Edition of BUCK ROGERS, Universal (1939), which we rate the same. B.R. though went through a significant restoration and it shows it.

I still enjoy Zorro's Fighting Legion and Perils of Nyoka more, but the story, acting and international atmosphere( the scene on the China Clipper is straight out of James Bond) make this serial a class A production. The final scene suggests a sequel as does the mystery of whether Fu Manchu's daughter was actually killed. But WW2 changed our racial profiling, shifting from China to Japan. No more Chinese bad guys, but Pearl Buck movies. But, if a Fu Manchu seemed far fetched at the time, 911 changed that. The Islamic world has several.This may actually be an insult to Fu Manch whose determination and sincerity almost arouse our admiration. Or maybe it is Brandon's brilliant acting.

Atmospheric, exciting, and with a sequential storyline (no!), this serial, IMHO, edges out Flash Gordon (Space Soldiers) and Hawk of the Wilderness as best serial of all time. Some prefer caped comic book heroes, but we have here a coherent plot, a hugely sinister villain (not to mention his dreadful daughter, Fah Lo Suee), and unforgettable cliffhangers, one after another. If you haven't seen this, you don't know what a serial can be.