Matcollis
This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.
Steineded
How sad is this?
Philippa
All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.
Sarita Rafferty
There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.
mark.waltz
From Fang to want...er, sorry, Wong, Boris Karloff tries to underact in this Chinese set political thriller where rebel general Karloff holds a group of Americans hostage. Karloff ends up turning into a character from a George Arliss film as he interferes in a romantic triangle while dealing with his political agenda. Ricardo Cortez, separated from wife Beverly Roberts, must deal with the fact that Karloff seemingly is willing to kill him so Roberts can marry Gordon Oliver. With each declaration of "I am Fang", Karloff's subtlety goes out the window, becoming more aggravating than John Malkovich's repeating of "Beyond my Control" in "Dangerous Liasons". With only minimal focus on the Chinese military's efforts to put an end to Karloff's reign of terror, this is an extremely dull programmer, only coming to life through some wisecracks from supporting characters Sheila Bromley and the minimal action and tension towards the end. The mixture of obvious non Asian actors and real Asians is laughably absurd. Still, production design is good, and in spite of the torrid script, decently directed.
LeonLouisRicci
One of Director John Farrow's First Assignments is a Talk-Fest with many Amusing Takes on a Chinese Warlord, "I am Fang!", Boris Karloff repeatedly Recites to Everyone. He is Ruthless and Omnipresent. But He is not without some Fairness, "Doctor good, He help China poor."Karloff Dominates the Preceding bringing Humor, Pathos, and Charm to a Brutal Tyrant. The Film is completely Centered Around Him and it would have Failed if Not for Karloff's Commanding Performance. Everything else, the Action and the Americans are Lackluster to Say the least.Ricardo Cortez is simply Static. It has a Twist Ending that is Sad but Satisfying considering what Came Before. Above Average for Boris Karloff Having Fun with the Villainous Anti-Hero.
funkyfry
Boris Karloff is a renegade Chinese warlord, with his mind set on military success and sex. Ricardo Cortez begins the film as the "romantic lead", but Karloff's character ends up being the more sympathetic of the two. This is a B movie that knows it, and it pretty much succeeds in everything it does attempt. Interesting parallel towards the end between Gordon Oliver's barely-missed execution and Karloff's more final one. Karloff's makeup does not convince, but his performance does; he brings humor and strength to the character.
sore_throat
This somewhat obscure film is helped by a quick running time and the presence of Karloff. On the downside it is overly talky and the few battle scenes it has are generic.The script is decent though, and my interest in the film was undoubtedly bolstered a bit because I find contemporary Chinese history to be intriguing (not that this is a textbook reproduction of the period. :)
6/10. I wouldn't recommended it, but at the same time I feel it is above average with everything considered.