THE MILLION EYES OF SUMURU: Crazy & Campy

THE MILLION EYES OF SUMURU (4K UHD)

1967 / 89 min

FROM BLUE UNDERGROUND

Review by Mr. Paws😺

Crazy, campy and comedic - intentionally & unintentionally - The Million Eyes of Sumuru is a movie that could only have sprung from the ‘60s, when spy spoofs were as plentiful as the spies they were spoofing. Better yet, Blue Underground has once again resurrected this British relic with a sparkling new 4K transfer.

But best of all, a RiffTrax version is also included. The movie is nothing if not riff-worthy, and Mike Nelson, Bill Corbett & Kevin Murphy are in fine form here. For their fans, including Mysties, this feature alone (included on the Blu-ray disc) makes the set worth picking up.

In the film, former Bond beauty Shirley Eaton stars as the title character, who commands an army of skilled and lethal sexpots. They’re plan is to assassinate the most powerful men in the world and take over. As if The Million Eyes of Sumuru didn’t already have enough cult credentials, one of their targets is Hong Kong’s playboy president, played by none other than kooky Klaus Kinski.

"That's two references. I asked for three."

All that stands in their way are two devil-may-care CIA agents, Nick West (George Nader, he of Robot Monster fame) and Tommy Carter (the Beach Party boy himself, Frankie Avalon). Though top billed, Avalon is mostly on hand for comic relief and to trade wisecracks with Nader, though this film does provide the opportunity to witness the guy who crooned “Venus” lobbing grenades. Meanwhile, Nader has the more enviable job of making out with most of the female cast.

I wouldn't necessarily say the cast delivers great performances, but they all look like they’re having a great time. And their mood is kind of infectious. Only a curmudgeon wouldn’t have fun with its silly plot, cartoony characters, goofy dialogue and bevy of babes. The Million Eyes of Sumuru is undoubtedly a product of groovy decade from which it sprang, but that’s also part of its charm.

Not only does the film look and sound great in 4K, Blue Underground provides a wonderful introduction to its relatively unknown director, Lindsay Shonteff, with a feature length documentary that showcases his lengthy career (and affection for James Bond rip-offs). But really, this one had me at RiffTrax.

EXTRA KIBBLES

4K & BLU-RAY COPIES

THE SCHLOCK-CINEMA LEGACY OF LINDSAY SHONTEFF - This feature length documentary might be the longest, most comprehensive and affectionate tribute to an obscure director I’ve ever seen. Great fun.

RIFFTRAX EDITION

2 AUDIO COMMENTARIES - 1) By David Del Valle & Dan Marino (not the guy you’re thinking); 2) By Nathaniel Thompson & Troy Howarth.

TRAILER

GALLERY - A collection of posters and stills.

REVERSIBLE COVER