I recently saw TERROR OF THE TONGS as well as STRANGLERS OF BOMBAY, as they were both on the same DVD. The reason I watched the films was because Christopher Lee was in TERROR but was surprised to see that the other film was vastly superior despite having a cast of unknowns. The bottom line is that despite Lee and pretty color film, TERROR seems like a remake (of sorts) of the earlier film and STRANGLERS was just much better written and directed. Plus, TERROR really had major casting problems--so much that today's audiences would probably laugh at the choices.
TERROR OF THE TONGS is about Chinese gangs in Hong Kong that used assassinations (usually with a hatchet) in order to further the power of the Tong (which was similar to the Mafia or Yakuza). Despite being evil and ruthless, the locals don't want to do anything to try to stop them because of fear of reprisals. A ship's captain runs afoul of the Tong and his daughter is killed. He dedicates the rest of the movie to its destruction.
While there is plenty of action and excitement, the film has one huge strike against it. Despite being set in Hong Kong, the film looks amazingly non-Chinese--with Caucasian actors in almost all the main roles. Seeing 6 foot 7 inch Christopher Lee with his very aquiline nose playing the leader of the Tong seemed really silly. Despite the studio makeup artists giving him Asian-style eyelids, he looked about as Asian as Brad Pitt! And, to make things worse, the rest of the "Chinese" characters looked even less Chinese!! This didn't so much offend me (especially since I bristle at the notion of political correctness), but just seemed dumb---really, really dumb.
The reason, I assume, they picked Lee for such a ridiculous role was because he was available and affordable. Otherwise, it's quite the bizarre choice. However, despite him being so inappropriate for the role, a very, very similar character was reprised by Lee in the Fu Manchu pictures of the mid to late-1960s. The films are exciting but also suffer from too many main Chinese characters being Brits.
Overall, the film is exciting and watchable so it's a good film for adventure fans or as a time-passer. Just don't expect a lot of magic or high quality in this production.
TERROR OF THE TONGS is about Chinese gangs in Hong Kong that used assassinations (usually with a hatchet) in order to further the power of the Tong (which was similar to the Mafia or Yakuza). Despite being evil and ruthless, the locals don't want to do anything to try to stop them because of fear of reprisals. A ship's captain runs afoul of the Tong and his daughter is killed. He dedicates the rest of the movie to its destruction.
While there is plenty of action and excitement, the film has one huge strike against it. Despite being set in Hong Kong, the film looks amazingly non-Chinese--with Caucasian actors in almost all the main roles. Seeing 6 foot 7 inch Christopher Lee with his very aquiline nose playing the leader of the Tong seemed really silly. Despite the studio makeup artists giving him Asian-style eyelids, he looked about as Asian as Brad Pitt! And, to make things worse, the rest of the "Chinese" characters looked even less Chinese!! This didn't so much offend me (especially since I bristle at the notion of political correctness), but just seemed dumb---really, really dumb.
The reason, I assume, they picked Lee for such a ridiculous role was because he was available and affordable. Otherwise, it's quite the bizarre choice. However, despite him being so inappropriate for the role, a very, very similar character was reprised by Lee in the Fu Manchu pictures of the mid to late-1960s. The films are exciting but also suffer from too many main Chinese characters being Brits.
Overall, the film is exciting and watchable so it's a good film for adventure fans or as a time-passer. Just don't expect a lot of magic or high quality in this production.