THE TERROR OF THE TONGS
UK, 1960, 79 minutes, Colour.
Geoffrey Toone, Christopher Lee, Brian Worth, Richard Leech.
Directed by Anthony Bushell.
The Terror of the Tongs is one of many horror films made at Hammer Studios during the '50s and '60s. Once again, Christopher Lee is the star. He is the head of the Red Dragon Tong, looking and sounding sinister - and anticipating his role in a few years afterwards of Fu Manchu.
The film is set in Hong Kong 1910, has an exotic atmosphere of the Tongs and their violence - although their behaviour resembles closely that of the American Mafia. There are dashes of sex and violence - early '60s style. However, in retrospect the film seems a colourful example of British adventure with the touch of horror. The film was written by Jimmy Sangster, regular writer for many Hammer films.
1. Entertaining British action thriller? settings? The mystique of the Tongs?
2. Colourful Hong Kong settings? Colour photography, the atmosphere of Hong Kong, the early 20th. century? British presence? The sea and traders? Ships? The headquarters of the Tongs? The violence? Musical score?
3. The title and its indication of themes, horror and terror?
4. The opening with the focus on Mr. Ming, his arrival in Hong Kong, the Captain and his involvement? Mr. Ming and his message, his being attacked at the wharf by the Tong member, his death, the consequences for the crew, the death ,of the Captain's daughter, his quest of vengeance?
5. The Red Dragon Tong - Christopher Lee as its head, tall and sinister, loyalty to the mainland,,- the violence, the exploitation of opium, prostitutes? The loyalty of the members of the Tong, the use of opium, the commission with the axe to go and kill as the culmination of life? The network of the Tongs' violence in Hong Kong, people's fear? The.turning against the Tongs at the end? The leaderls death at the hand of his henchman?
6. The Captain as the upright Englishman, with Mr. Ming, his love for his daughter, her death, his quest against the Tongs, seeking out information, Harcourt and his betrayal, the attacks by the Tongs, the girl and her friendship, attacking the doctor, helping him with his investigations, falling in love, her coming to warn him against Harcourt, her saving his life? The theme of the Englishman searching for vengeance, breaking the power of the Tongs?
7. The Chinese network, the elderly woman and her friendship with the Captain, the leader and his using the Captain to bring the crisis to a head?
8. The action sequences - attacks, violence, deaths? The final fight? The death of the leader?
9. The popularity of this kind of film - exotic action adventure? Resemblance to corrupt systems and networks in other countries (in, for example, the Mafia)? Justice, law and order, corruption, heroism?
