The arrival of the James Bond franchise to cinema in 1961 catapulted spy movies to the mainstream, spawning an international genre of cinema copying or spoofing 007's exploits : the Bondsploitation film. Much like the Shaw Brothers in Hong Kong, Egyptian cinema had its' own Bondsploitation franchise in the form of Mr X.

Played to perfection by iconic Egyptian comedian and star of stage and screen, Fuad el Mohandes, Mr X is a notorious Chicago gangster who runs a worldwide SPECTRE like ring, with a branch operating out of Cairo. This branch is run by his loyal flame Sonya (Soheir El Bably) and his deceitful right hand man Lucien (Samir Sabry) who actively schemes to dethrone X and overtake his vast criminal empire. Mr X is on Interpol's most wanted list, and is actively pursued by the hapless Inspector Jean (Adel Adham). News of X's arrival in Cairo raises all alerts, but unknown to everyone, X has an Egyptian doppelganger, a mild mannered airport employee named Zaki (also played by El Mohandes). At Cairo Airport, the case of mistaken identity begins, dragging Interpol, the Egyptian police, X and his gang, Zaki, Zaki's fiancée Nadia (Shwikar) and others into a string of disastrously comedic events.

Niazi Mustafa, who directed Egyptian classics as 'Too Young For Love' (1966) and 'A Glass and A Cigarette'(1955), presents us with an interesting mélange of slapstick and parody, fusing international influences with Egyptian sensibilities. Fuad el Mohandes' masterful comedic timing made Mr X an enduring and endearing Egyptian cinema icon, even spawning a sequel 'The Return of The Most Dangerous Man in the World' in 1972. Bond fans will definitely notice the Bond influences, and will hear the Goldfinger theme played throughout the film.

Rewatching this movie as an adult, it is interesting to see the scale of Bondmania and how it spawned so many iterations across the world. Watching this film also reminded me of the Lupin III anime franchise, particularly the cat-and- mouse dynamic between Mr X and Inspector Jean which bears resemblance to the Lupin and Inspector Zenigata dynamic. Note: Monkey Punch (the creator of the Lupin franchise) would also publish the first Lupin story in 1967, having been influenced by Japanese culture, MAD magazine, and... you guessed it ... James Bond.

While not the very best example of classic Egyptian cinema, this is definitely an artefact of the 60s and a very much loved classic in Egypt. I would definitely recommend this movie to curious Bond fans, Bond and Bondsploitation film scholars/aficionados, newcomers to Egyptian film, and to anyone who would like a light hearted classic movie to enjoy.

Arabic-language cinema spans many regions, with Egypt pioneering popular musicals and melodramas, while Lebanon, Palestine, and North Africa use film as a medium for political expression and memory. Collectively, it expresses Arab identity onscreen and has influenced storytelling across the Middle East.

Ahmed Marei and Shafik Nour El Din in The Mummy (1969)

The action genre features fast-paced, thrilling, and intense sequences of physical feats, combat, and excitement. The characters of these stories are involved in daring and often dangerous situations, requiring them to rely on their physical prowess, skills, and quick thinking to overcome challenges and adversaries.

The comedy genre refers to a category of entertainment that aims to amuse and entertain audiences by using humor, wit, and comedic situations. Comedies are created with the primary intention of eliciting laughter and providing lighthearted enjoyment. They encompass a wide range of styles, tones, and themes, appealing to various tastes and audiences.

Will Ferrell, Angela Grillo, and Lap-Gei Cheung in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

The crime genre features criminal activities, investigations, law enforcement, crimes, and the pursuit of justice. Crime stories often revolve around the planning, execution, and consequences of criminal acts, as well as the efforts to solve and prevent such acts. They explore various aspects of criminal behavior, motives, and the moral dilemmas faced by both perpetrators and those seeking to uphold the law.

James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)

The thriller genre features suspense, tension, and excitement. These stories are known for keeping audiences on the edge of their seats and delivering intense emotional experiences by revolving around high-stakes situations, dangerous conflicts, and the constant anticipation of unexpected events.

An airport employee Zaki unwittingly gets involved in an international police chase because of his striking resemblance to a world famous criminal.

The Most Dangerous Man in the World (1967)

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El-Zawag ala el-Tariqah el-Hadithah (1968)

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Soheir El-Bably and Fouad El-Mohandes in The Most Dangerous Man in the World (1967)

Soheir El-Bably in The Most Dangerous Man in the World (1967)

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Shouweikar and Fouad El-Mohandes in The Most Dangerous Man in the World (1967)

Fouad El-Mohandes in The Most Dangerous Man in the World (1967)

Fouad El-Mohandes and Samir Sabry in The Most Dangerous Man in the World (1967)

The Most Dangerous Man in the World

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