The Million Eyes of Sumuru

Director - Lindsay Shonteff (Devil Doll)
Starring - Frankie Avalon (Horror House), George Nader (Alfred Hitchcock Presents), and Shirley Eaton (The Blood of Fu Manchu)
Release Date - 1967
Genre - Action/Adventure
Tagline "She rules a palace of pleasure...for women"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Most of the time, almost 99% of the time, I get horror films to review from distribution companies and independent filmmakers alike.  I love it, I truly do but watching two or three horror flicks a day starts to wear down on a person regardless of how fond of the genre they really are.  When I am sent something other than horror I often greet it with optimism and a great break from the everyday blood and gore that I am so used to seeing.  Recently Blue Underground released two Sumuru films on bluray in a double feature.  The first of the two films is the 1967 The Million Eyes of Sumuru. Thanks Blue Underground for sending this beautiful release my way!

     The film follows a secret agent who is tasked with infiltrating the evil organization ran by Sumuru (Eaton).  Sumuru is an evil woman wants to rid the world of it's male leaders and replace it with her own female agents.  The agent is soon apprehended by Sumuru where she reveals her evil plan to him.  The agent, along with another agent, slowly convert other members of her group to join their cause and are able to topple Sumuru and her evil organization with the local militia.
     I'm not too familiar with the spy films of the late 60s but if they are anything like The Million Eyes of Sumuru then I may be checking them out.  I was never a Bond fan but to be completely honest, I never really gave the films a chance.  With that being said, I really enjoyed The Million Eyes of Sumuru.  The acting in this one is not that great but it does do it's job.  The cast is enjoyable, for the most part, and Eaton is the star of the show.  This story had to be written with Eaton in mind as Sumuru.  She was sexy, provocative, and seriously evil.  This film would not have been the same without her.  The story for this one is fun but very cheesy and cliched.  The film following a secret agent infiltrating a secret organization made up entirely of women was actually pretty fun.  Some beautiful women wearing next to nothing playing the bad guy was pretty sexy if you ask me.  Sadly, the story does not reach an action packed climax like one would assume considering how the story goes.  Instead, we get a small action sequence and then it just ends.  Makes me think the film was never properly finished.  Finally, those of you looking for blood and guts clearly did not read any of my review before now.  The film has some minor action but no great kills and practical effects we long for.  Overall, The Million Eyes of Sumuru is a great late 60s spy film that has a solid story and a decent cast.  It holds the time well but does not really deliver on the action.  If you are looking for a break from the horror then check this one ut!