Damn Fool Idealistic Crusader | The Fu Manchu Cycle 1965-1969 Indicator Blu-ray Boxset Review @DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader | Uploaded July 2023 | Updated October 2024, 10 hours ago.
#indicator #bluray #blurayreview
Indicator has released all five Harry Allan Towers produced Fu Manchu films starring Christopher Lee in amazing transfers derived from 4K negative scans. While this gorgeous deluxe boxset is now sadly out of print, all five amazing discs are still available as standard editions. This film cycle is the last major attempt to bring Sax Rohmer's character to the screen. While this does mean dealing with the inherent baggage associated with the character thankfully quite a bit of the inherent negative aspects are diluted or sidestepped. Christopher Lee has great presence in the role and goes up against three great actors as Nayland Smith: an incredible Nigel Green, a very warm and paternal Douglas Wilmer and the always wonderful Richard Greene. The first two films directed by Don Sharp are remarkable for their effectiveness given the limited productions. The third film is solid but the last two directed by Jess Franco are utterly terrible.
Indicator has outdone themselves yet again. This is a reference box set. A film school in a box.
This is one of the finest physical media releases of all time. 5 films. 24 hours of supplemental features. Alternate versions, titles, credits, presentations. Beautiful box packaging, artwork and 120 page book. 4K scans from the original negatives for all five films. No stone left unturned. No corners cut.
And the last two films are absolutely insane.
00:00 Introduction and discussion of the Fu Manchu cycle of films
12:22 The Face of Fu Manchu
23:29 Picture Quality
24:09 Reel 3 damaged version branched option
26:02 Transfer notes and Techniscope
28:20 Audio Quality
29:16 Artwork and Packaging
29:49 Special Features
37:51 Summary
39:32 The Brides of Fu Manchu
54:11 Picture Quality
58:05 Audio Quality
59:44 Packaging and Artwork
01:00:13 Supplemental Features
01:05:38 Summary
01:06:10 The Vengeance of Fu Manchu
01:16:02 Picture Quality
01:19:38 Audio Quality
01:22:13 Packaging and Artwork
01:22:48 Supplemental Features
01:29:28 Summary
01:30:35 The Blood of Fu Manchu
01:42:19 Picture Quality
01:44:27 Audio Quality
01:45:08 Packaging and Artwork
01:45:29 Supplemental Features
01:50:47 Summary
01:51:22 The Castle of Fu Manchu
02:01:31 Picture Quality
02:03:37 Audio Quality
02:04:29 Packaging and Artwork
02:04:51 Supplemental Features
02:09:26 Summary
02:10:26 Boxset package and design
02:11:53 Art Cards
02:12:36 120 page Boxset exclusive Book
02:14:32 Double Sided Quad Poster Reproductions
02:14:53 Final Summary-One of the best physical media releases of all time.
#indicator #bluray #blurayreview
Indicator has released all five Harry Allan Towers produced Fu Manchu films starring Christopher Lee in amazing transfers derived from 4K negative scans. While this gorgeous deluxe boxset is now sadly out of print, all five amazing discs are still available as standard editions. This film cycle is the last major attempt to bring Sax Rohmer's character to the screen. While this does mean dealing with the inherent baggage associated with the character thankfully quite a bit of the inherent negative aspects are diluted or sidestepped. Christopher Lee has great presence in the role and goes up against three great actors as Nayland Smith: an incredible Nigel Green, a very warm and paternal Douglas Wilmer and the always wonderful Richard Greene. The first two films directed by Don Sharp are remarkable for their effectiveness given the limited productions. The third film is solid but the last two directed by Jess Franco are utterly terrible.
Indicator has outdone themselves yet again. This is a reference box set. A film school in a box.
This is one of the finest physical media releases of all time. 5 films. 24 hours of supplemental features. Alternate versions, titles, credits, presentations. Beautiful box packaging, artwork and 120 page book. 4K scans from the original negatives for all five films. No stone left unturned. No corners cut.
And the last two films are absolutely insane.
00:00 Introduction and discussion of the Fu Manchu cycle of films
12:22 The Face of Fu Manchu
23:29 Picture Quality
24:09 Reel 3 damaged version branched option
26:02 Transfer notes and Techniscope
28:20 Audio Quality
29:16 Artwork and Packaging
29:49 Special Features
37:51 Summary
39:32 The Brides of Fu Manchu
54:11 Picture Quality
58:05 Audio Quality
59:44 Packaging and Artwork
01:00:13 Supplemental Features
01:05:38 Summary
01:06:10 The Vengeance of Fu Manchu
01:16:02 Picture Quality
01:19:38 Audio Quality
01:22:13 Packaging and Artwork
01:22:48 Supplemental Features
01:29:28 Summary
01:30:35 The Blood of Fu Manchu
01:42:19 Picture Quality
01:44:27 Audio Quality
01:45:08 Packaging and Artwork
01:45:29 Supplemental Features
01:50:47 Summary
01:51:22 The Castle of Fu Manchu
02:01:31 Picture Quality
02:03:37 Audio Quality
02:04:29 Packaging and Artwork
02:04:51 Supplemental Features
02:09:26 Summary
02:10:26 Boxset package and design
02:11:53 Art Cards
02:12:36 120 page Boxset exclusive Book
02:14:32 Double Sided Quad Poster Reproductions
02:14:53 Final Summary-One of the best physical media releases of all time.
