The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu

Fu Manchu's 168th birthday celebration is dampened when a hapless flunky spills Fu's age-regressing elixir vitae. Fu sends his lackeys to round up ingredients for a new batch of elixir, starting with the Star of Leningrad diamond, nabbed from a Soviet exhibition in Washington. The FBI sends agents Capone and Williams to England to confer with Nayland Smith, an expert on Fu.

Directed by Piers Haggard, The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu leans on a strong ensemble — Peter Sellers, Helen Mirren, David Tomlinson — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about comedy titles of 1980.