Although a product of a different era to be sure, it's hard to view this film without addressing its particular brand of racism; adapted from a stage play and largely an excuse for some fairly convincing makeup for Chaney, it addresses the results of Western intrusion in China with an eye towards the perceived barbarity of (invented) Chinese custom, while at the same time reveling in floridly orientalist dialogue and presentation. Some striking visual moments aside, it alternately mocks, idealizes and patronizes (primarily the latter) the Chinese characters before ultimately exculpating the British interlopers in a disturbing climax. Still largely involving, though.
