Review of Manos: The Hands of Fate (1966) by James T — 06 Jul 2010

One of the most famous bad films out there. Even Quentin Tarantino claims this to be one of his favourite "comedies". Well I can see why because it's defiantly bad.

The acting is terrible. Incredibly amateur. I've seen other films with acting just as bad but not many.

The editing is also dreadful. At several parts there will a blink which is obviously a film cut and the actors are suddenly standing in different positions. There is also a completely pointless scene in the middle of the movie about a young couple embracing in a car only to be moved on by two police officers. Apparently this was a discarded scene which as then left in simply to use up time. I think they could have done with simply leaving it out.

The plot is simple but takes ages to get started. The beginning is the most boring part of this film. A married couple, their daughter and dog are driving through the desert. They are lost and pass the time by talking. This goes on for a long, gruelling time.

They then come across a building which is being tended to by a strange hillbilly type who has unusually large knees and strange gait. This person is called Togo and has somehow gained a cult following. I have read that Togo is supposed to be a satyr but they never mention it and you never see his legs or feet in the film, he simply wears normal looking trousers and shoes and has bulbous knees.

The family then fall into trouble with The Master and his wives. I wont continue, I'm sure you want to see this masterpiece for yourself.

So is Manos: The Hands of Fate one of the worst films ever made? Well it's defiantly one of the worst I've seen. It's main problem is that it's just dragged out making it very dull to watch.