The enduring legend of Fu Manchu

The evil criminal mastermind Fu Manchu was a recurring character in Hollywood films for decades. He epitomised racist stereotypes about China and the Chinese which shaped popular thinking in the West. Vincent Dowd has been talking to writer Sir Christopher Frayling and academic Amy Matthewson about his long-lasting influence.

Photo: Christopher Lee as Fu Manchu in film The Vengeance of Fu Manchu. 1967.