Mystery Science Theater 3000: Manos, the Hands of Fate

Trace Beaulieu
Patrick Brantseg
Frank Conniff
Bill Corbett
Joel Hodgson

Director

Trace Beaulieu; Joel Hodgson

Arguably the worst movie that our lovable pals Joel, Crow, and Tom Servo have ever had the pain of watching, Manos: Hands of Fate is destined to be an MST3K classic for this very reason. Not only is there a sparse, illogical plot, but the cinematography is nonsensical (note Servo's point about the endless countryside ride in Texas). That said, Manos must be watched, and cringed at, and commented on by its viewers because of the director's amazingly awful vision of what a horror film should be. What plot there is involves a vacationing family being trapped in a remote ranch house in the desert that's "managed" by a greasy, what looks to be stoned, oversize bow-legged keeper named "Torgo." As the movie goes on, and one finds the "master" and his harem of semi-dead women clad in see-through white dresses, one wonders more and more what the hell this movie was supposed to be about. Even Dr. Forrester and Frank feel a little sorry for Joel and the boys' being forced to watch this one. Still, you'll find yourself spiraling into hysterics when the women get into a big catty brawl while Joel and the boys liken their antics to a Ladies Guild performing A Midsummer Night's Dream or female dirt-wrestling. An episode you'll love to suffer through. --Karen Karleski