Manos: The Hands of Fate (1966) – Infamous Cult Horror Made on a Bet

Manos: The Hands of Fate (1966) is an American independent horror film written, directed, and produced by Harold P. Warren, a fertilizer salesman from El Paso who made the movie after a bet with screenwriter Stirling Silliphant. The story follows a family traveling through the Texas desert who become stranded at a remote lodge run by Torgo, servant to The Master, leader of a polygynous pagan cult devoted to the deity Manos.
The film’s extremely low budget, amateur production, awkward editing, and surreal performances led to its reputation as one of the worst films ever made, a status cemented after its rediscovery on Mystery Science Theater 3000 in 1993. It has since become a beloved cult object, inspiring restorations, documentaries, and even sequels.

Film Details
Year: 1966
Genre: Horror / Folk Horror / Cult Film
Director: Harold P. Warren
Writer: Harold P. Warren
Produced by: Harold P. Warren
Starring: Tom Neyman, John Reynolds, Diane Mahree, Harold P. Warren
Cinematography: Robert Guidry
Edited by: James Sullivan
Music: Russ Huddleston, Robert Smith Jr.
Studios: Sun City Films; Norm‑Iris Productions
Distributed by: Emerson Film Enterprises
Release Date: November 15, 1966
Runtime: 70 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
Budget: $19,000

#Manos1966 #ManosTheHandsOfFate #HaroldPWarren #Torgo #CultHorror #FolkHorror #1960sCinema #IndependentFilm #WorstMovies #MST3K

Transcript

00:00:28Transcribed by ESO, translated by —

00:00:59Transcribed by ESO, translated by —

00:01:09Transcribed by ESO, translated by —

00:01:10We should be pretty close right now.

00:01:11The agent said it was about 12 miles from Highway 10,

00:01:14and that was Highway 10 back there.

00:01:15But you know, we should have asked for better directions at the last gas station.

00:01:19Listen, I've never gotten us lost before.

00:01:25Mommy, I'm cold.

00:01:29Okay, Debbie, I'll put the top up.

00:01:31Never mind, Mike. Debbie can come up and sit between us.

00:01:43Now that's better, baby.

00:01:45Why don't we sing a song to help pass the time?

00:01:48Hmm?

00:01:52Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream.

00:01:57Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.

00:02:06Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.

00:02:11Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily.

00:02:44Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily.

00:02:49Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily.

00:02:55All right, mister. I see you have a taillight problem.

00:02:59No excuse. Running late. First vacation. Kid getting tired.

00:03:04That's too bad.

00:03:05Can't you give us a break, officer?

00:03:09Well, all right. All right.

00:03:11Sure do appreciate it. We ought running kinda late.

00:03:14Okay, but if you're running late, you should have started earlier.

00:03:18Anyhow, no tail light.

00:03:20Have it fixed.

00:03:22Thank you, officer.

00:03:23Wow.

00:04:16We're all up there, Debbie.

00:04:17Just a few minutes, Mom.

00:04:43When it opens the door, like it's the day, it's the way, it's the way.

00:05:04You're the one with that smile, yeah.

00:05:07Come over here for me, why?

00:05:09Hey, girl, do you hear what I say?

00:05:11I don't have time to be waiting all day.

00:05:14Just believe that it's not all so wrong.

00:05:16There's a reason I'm singing this song.

00:05:21Got a big question to ask anything.

00:05:25Do you want to do anything?

00:05:28Yeah.

00:05:29Baby, do a thing with me.

00:05:31It's me.

00:05:33It's all good.

00:05:34Come on, and do a thing with me.

00:05:36Be pretty sure.

00:05:37I wonder where they're going.

00:05:39Man, like there's nothing up that road.

00:05:58I wonder where they're going.

00:06:11Now look, the sign pointed this way.

00:06:13Mike, let's go back to the crossroads and ask those kids we saw.

00:06:17Okay, okay, but I know we can't be wrong.

00:06:19Look, the sign pointed this way.

00:06:40Oh, oh, oh, oh.

00:07:15How many times do we have to chase you kids?

00:07:18Oh, she.

00:07:19Holy cow, man.

00:07:22You'd think we're doing something wrong.

00:07:26Well, whatever it is you're not doing, go don't do it somewhere else.

00:07:35Why don't you guys leave us alone?

00:07:39Come on now, no wisecrikes.

00:07:41Just go on home.

00:07:43Okay.

00:07:44Get going, get going.

00:07:46All right already.

00:07:46Let's go.

00:07:50Let's go.

00:08:18I could have sworn we didn't make a wrong turn.

00:08:20You must have. Where did the road go?

00:08:24No need to get upset. We'll find it.

00:09:02Where did this place come from? It wasn't here a few minutes ago.

00:09:05I don't care. Let's see if we can get some directions. Look, there's someone at the door.

00:09:10I don't care.

00:09:39I don't care.

00:09:55I don't care.

00:10:21I am Torgo. I take care of the place while the Master is away.

00:10:31But the child, I'm not sure the Master would approve, or the dog. The Master doesn't like children.

00:10:38We only want to know where Valley Lodge is.

00:10:41Which way do we go?

00:10:44There's no place like that around here.

00:10:55Mike, I'm scared. It's getting dark.

00:11:00Well, Torgo, which way is out of here?

00:11:07There is no way out of here. It will be dark soon. There is no way out of here.

00:11:13No way out?

00:11:16Well, you know, we could spend the night here, and then tomorrow we can...

00:11:19Oh, Mike, I don't want to spend the night here. I don't like the looks of the place.

00:11:23Well, it seems we have no alternative. Well, how about it, Torgo? Can we spend the night here?

00:11:30Well, I don't know what else we can do.

00:11:33But, Mike, I don't want to stay here.

00:11:35And the Master wouldn't approve.

00:11:38Don't worry about it. We're here now, and I'm sure the Master won't throw us out.

00:11:43Well, how about it, Torgo?

00:11:45I don't want to stay. Let's leave.

00:11:50I don't know about it. I just don't know.

00:12:30Well, Torgo, in or out?

00:12:32Patient, dear.

00:12:39Very well. The Master will be very disturbed.

00:12:48I'll get the luggage.

00:13:02Torgo, we'll stay tonight, and then tomorrow we'll...

00:13:04You must be. You cannot stay.

00:13:07The Master would not approve.

00:13:09Precraft.

00:13:10The Master would never approve.

00:13:12How dark do you not seeats are?

00:13:31Watch

00:13:50See, you're feeling better already.

00:13:56Look at this.

00:14:08Mike, I'm...

00:14:45He looks so sinister.

00:14:48Must be the master himself.

00:14:51Oh, Mike, I'm scared.

00:14:54He has the meanest look.

00:14:56That dog.

00:14:58I'd hate to run up on him in the dark or even in the light, for that matter.

00:15:01The Lone Ranger.

00:15:33That must be your master. Where did you say he was?

00:15:37He has left this world.

00:15:39But he is with us always.

00:15:41No matter where we go, he is with us.

00:15:46What?

00:15:47No matter where he goes.

00:15:49What does that mean?

00:15:50That dog.

00:15:52It's the most vicious looking animal I've ever seen.

00:15:55Well, I hope he goes where the master goes.

00:15:57There is nothing to fear, madam.

00:15:59The master likes you.

00:16:01Nothing will happen to you.

00:16:03He likes you.

00:16:05Likes me?

00:16:06I thought you said he was dead.

00:16:11Dead?

00:16:12No, madam.

00:16:13Not dead the way you know it.

00:16:15He is with us always.

00:16:19Not dead the way you know it.

00:16:22He is with us always.

00:16:28Mike, I don't like this.

00:16:30Nothing to worry about.

00:16:31It's only your imagination.

00:16:47I think that it's best that I show you to the bedroom now.

00:16:59Oh, my God.

00:17:01Mike, what was that?

00:17:02Probably some animal in the desert.

00:17:04Nothing to be afraid of.

00:17:06I'm scared, Mike.

00:17:12Michael, I don't care what it is.

00:17:15Chase it away.

00:17:16Okay, if it will make you relax, I'll go out and see what it is.

00:17:40What happened?

00:17:41I heard...

00:17:42Stay here.

00:17:43Get back into the house.

00:18:10Get back in the house, damn it.

00:18:13My God, Mike, what happened?

00:18:15He's dead.

00:18:15Peppy's been killed.

00:18:17Get back in the house, honey.

00:18:19Mike, what kind of place is this?

00:18:22My God, what kind of place is this?

00:18:25I'll take care of everything, honey.

00:18:26Get back in the house.

00:18:28Oh.

00:18:29Oh.

00:18:30Oh.

00:18:32Oh.

00:18:35Oh.

00:18:37Oh.

00:18:38Oh.

00:18:40Oh.

00:18:41Oh.

00:18:59Oh, Mike, what could have done it?

00:19:07Honey, it was probably some animal from the desert.

00:19:09This place must be full of them.

00:19:15Peppy?

00:19:16You went away, baby.

00:19:17Went away while you were asleep.

00:19:21Mike, I want to leave this place.

00:19:23Now.

00:19:25Okay, honey, we'll leave right away.

00:19:27Where the hell is that caretaker?

00:19:29Targo!

00:19:33Targo!

00:19:34Targo!

00:19:45Did you want me?

00:19:46We're leaving.

00:19:47Would you mind putting the luggage back in the car?

00:19:51As you wish.

00:19:54Right now.

00:19:55Fast, damn it.

00:19:56Fast!

00:19:57Fast!

00:20:01Fast, damn it.

00:20:31BIRDS CHIRP

00:20:49I'll be glad to leave. I've had all of this place I want.

00:20:53Madam, it will be very dangerous to leave now. The master wants you.

00:20:58Wants me? What kind of talk is that?

00:21:03He wants you for his wife. He loves beautiful women.

00:21:52Don't you ever try that again, you... beat!

00:21:57The master wants you, but he can't have you. I want you.

00:22:01Stop that talk to the instant, you hear?

00:22:03He wants you, but he can't have you.

00:22:08Mike! Mike!

00:22:33Where in the world can he be? Mike! Mike!

00:22:44Let me out of here. Let me out of here now. Do you hear now?

00:22:52Forgive me, madam.

00:22:58I meant no harm.

00:23:02Forgive you? Just wait till I tell my husband.

00:23:09I meant no harm, madam. I'll protect you. I'll protect you.

00:23:19Very well. I won't tell my husband.

00:23:22Now, let me out.

00:23:30Hey, Maggie, the damn car won't start.

00:23:37Well, that really fixes things. What are we going to do now?

00:23:43I don't know, and I couldn't find anything wrong with it either.

00:23:45Hey, Torgo, where's the phone?

00:23:49Yes, Alexander Graham Bell, you know, telephone.

00:23:54There is none, sir. The master doesn't approve of such devices.

00:24:02Then where is the nearest phone?

00:24:04The nearest phone is at the crossroads. That's ten miles.

00:24:09Ten miles? Might as well be ten thousand miles.

00:24:13Easy, honey. It won't help to get mad.

00:24:17The master won't mind you staying tonight.

00:24:20He has no choice. We can't leave, we can't walk out of here,

00:24:23and the damn car won't start.

00:24:25I'll just bring the bags back to the room.

00:24:37Sinister. Sinister isn't descriptive enough.

00:24:41Honey, we'll leave in the morning, and soon this place will be forgotten.

00:24:44Forgotten? I'll never forget.

00:24:48Pepe's gone.

00:24:50I just hope Debbie will understand.

00:24:52She'll understand. She's my baby. She'll understand.

00:24:55I hope so, darling. I sure hope so.

00:24:58She's my baby. She'll understand.

00:25:03Say, where is she?

00:25:06Oh, my God! Michael!

00:25:09Well, don't get wrought up. She's probably playing hide-and-seek.

00:25:12Okay, Debbie, we see you. Come out, come out, wherever you are.

00:25:15Maybe she slipped into one of the rooms.

00:25:17Debbie?

00:25:19Debbie!

00:25:24Debbie!

00:25:26Torgo, have you seen Debbie?

00:25:28No.

00:25:29She's gone. Help us find her.

00:25:33She couldn't have gone outside. The door's bolted.

00:25:36For God's sake, don't panic. She's got to be in here.

00:25:41Is there another exit to the outside?

00:25:45In the kitchen.

00:25:51That door's bolted, too.

00:25:54Outside, Mike. She's got to be outside.

00:25:57All right, we'll look outside for her.

00:26:00Debbie?

00:26:01Debbie?

00:26:02Debbie?

00:26:04Debbie?

00:26:06Mike, I'm scared.

00:26:09The animals in the desert...

00:26:11Cut it out!

00:26:25We'll find her.

00:26:26Don't worry.

00:26:36Debbie?

00:26:40Debbie?

00:26:49Yeah, you'll be a good puppy.

00:26:59Mike, it's the dog from the portrait.

00:27:02Stand back, Debbie. Stand back.

00:27:04Don't go to the floor, Debbie.

00:27:12Darling, baby, you could have been hurt.

00:27:24But you should never run away from us.

00:27:27Debbie, don't ever run away from us.

00:27:30And I want to find my puppy.

00:27:32Where did you find the new dog, baby?

00:27:34In a big place.

00:27:35In a big place? Where, Debbie?

00:27:37There was a big, giant place.

00:27:40It was so dark.

00:27:41But I wasn't afraid of the dog.

00:27:44It had all kinds of funny people in it.

00:27:47Where is the place, Debbie?

00:27:49Over here, Daddy.

00:28:10Mike, it's horrible.

00:28:12Let's get out of here.

00:28:13Let's go.

00:28:21Get in the bedroom and lock yourself in.

00:28:22I'm going to find Torgo.

00:28:23He's got some explaining to do.

00:28:25Hurry, please, hurry.

00:28:27Hurry.

00:28:29Hurry.

00:28:47I want her.

00:28:49She's mine, mine, mine.

00:28:50Do you hear?

00:28:51I want this one.

00:28:52You have all the wives you need.

00:28:53She's mine.

00:28:54Go.

00:29:10Oh, you pretty ones.

00:29:11Let me see how good you are.

00:29:13I won't need you anymore.

00:29:15I have my own wife.

00:29:17I won't have to come in here to dream of having one of you.

00:29:22You.

00:29:22You're the worst.

00:29:24You were his first wife.

00:29:25He doesn't want you anymore.

00:29:27Now even I don't want you.

00:29:58You're my first of all.

00:29:58He doesn't want you anymore.

00:29:58You're my first wife.

00:29:59Jesus.

00:30:22I'm through with all of you.

00:30:30Oh, do you hear me?

00:30:58Oh, do you hear me?

00:31:18Oh, do you hear me?

00:31:44Oh, do you hear me?

00:31:49Oh, do you hear me?

00:32:19Oh, do you hear me?

00:32:49Oh, do you hear me?

00:33:46Oh, do you hear me?

00:33:49Oh, do you hear me?

00:34:19Oh, do you hear me?

00:35:04Oh, do you hear me?

00:35:28Oh, do you hear me?

00:35:44Oh, do you hear me?

00:36:39Oh, do you hear me?

00:36:52Oh, do you hear me?

00:36:57Oh, do you hear me?

00:36:58Oh, do you hear me?

00:37:28You hear me?

00:37:48Oh, do you hear me?

00:38:28Oh, oh, do you hear me?

00:38:31And as the oldest of the wives, I demand that she live.

00:38:47Why has a child been brought here?

00:38:50Why?

00:38:51And a female child at that?

00:39:01I have the child and then she will grow up to be a woman, and as the oldest of the

00:39:04wives, I...

00:39:06I have never complained about sacrificing a man, but a child?

00:39:10The woman is all we want. The others must die.

00:39:15They all must die. We do not even want the woman.

00:39:19The child is a female. She must not be destroyed.

00:39:23She will grow up to be a woman.

00:39:25She must be killed.

00:39:26No!

00:39:27I am the oldest of the wives, and it is my privilege to say that...

00:39:30Enough! Enough of this stupid bickering.

00:39:33A child must die.

00:39:36If you persist in this foolishness, your youthfulness will have come to an end.

00:39:41Say what you will, I will have no part of this madness.

00:39:44To be a woman, as the oldest of the wives, I demand that she lives.

00:39:49I don't know what they're doing here in the first place.

00:39:51You have caused enough trouble.

00:39:53I think perhaps your service to us is at its end now.

00:39:59Silence! Silence!

00:40:03And now, my wives, I shall deal with the one who is responsible for the child being here.

00:40:10Torgo, he's the one.

00:40:13Get Torgo!

00:40:14You are responsible for this nonsense.

00:40:17We shall dispose of you later.

00:40:24It is a terrible mistake.

00:40:26The man, yes.

00:40:28The child, no.

00:40:30Maybe she's right.

00:40:31Maybe we should spare the child.

00:40:35It is against our will that we stay here.

00:40:37Do not make the child die to satisfy him.

00:40:40He does not need any more wives.

00:40:43Yes, he has no more time for us. Older wives, just the newest.

00:40:50Jealousy is not part of us.

00:40:53Why are you so jealous of me?

00:40:57You are a troublemaker. You deserve to die.

00:41:04Die? I may die, but I do not care. The child must live.

00:41:09She is right. We will not kill the child.

00:41:13But Manos would not approve.

00:41:17The law of Manos exists for us only.

00:41:21Manos loves women. She will grow up to be a woman.

00:41:24She must die.

00:41:36When the Master hears of this, he will be furious.

00:41:43You are all mad. Mad, the whole lot of you.

00:41:46The man, yes. The child, no.

00:41:49No.

00:41:49Oh, no.

00:42:29Oh, no.

00:42:49Oh, no.

00:43:19Oh, no.

00:43:21Oh, no.

00:43:23Oh, no.

00:43:24Oh, no.

00:43:25Oh, no.

00:43:26Oh, no.

00:43:29Oh, no.

00:43:33Oh, no.

00:43:34Oh, no.

00:43:35Oh, no.

00:43:36Oh, no.

00:43:37Oh, no.

00:43:38Oh, no.

00:43:39Oh, no.

00:43:40Oh, no.

00:43:42Oh, no.

00:44:11Oh, no.

00:44:12Oh, no.

00:45:09Oh, no.

00:45:15Oh, no.

00:45:46Oh, no.

00:46:33Oh, no.

00:46:42Oh, no.

00:47:07Oh, no.

00:47:35Oh, no.

00:48:08Oh, no.

00:48:10Oh, no.

00:48:11Oh, no.

00:48:13Oh, no.

00:48:59Oh, no.

00:49:00Oh, no.

00:49:03Oh, no.

00:49:04Oh, no.

00:49:13Oh, no.

00:49:14Oh, no.

00:49:37Oh, no.

00:49:40Oh, no.

00:50:06Oh, no.

00:51:03Oh, no.

00:51:09Oh, no.

00:51:35Oh, no.

00:52:29Oh, no.

00:52:34Oh, no.

00:52:39Oh, no.

00:52:40Oh, no.

00:52:57Oh, no.

00:53:00Oh, no.

00:53:31Oh, no.

00:54:04Oh, no.

00:54:30Oh, no.

00:55:01Oh, no.

00:55:03Oh, no.

00:55:06Oh, no.

00:55:07Oh, no.

00:55:08Oh, no.

00:55:09Oh, no.

00:55:10Oh, no.

00:55:11Oh, no.

00:55:41Oh, no.

00:55:43Oh, no.

00:55:53Oh, no.

00:56:48Oh, no.

00:56:53Oh, no.

00:56:59Oh, no.

00:57:17Oh, no.

00:57:18Oh, no.

00:57:47Oh, no.

00:57:48Oh, no.

00:57:49Oh, no.

00:58:20Oh, no.

00:58:48Oh, no.

00:58:57Oh, no.

00:58:58Oh, no.

00:59:28Oh, no.

00:59:51Oh, no.

01:00:19Oh, no.

01:00:49Oh, no.

01:01:31Oh, no.

01:02:01Okay.

01:02:02Oh, no.

01:02:47Oh, no.

01:02:54Oh, no.

01:03:25Oh, no.

01:03:28Oh, no.

01:03:58Oh, no.

01:04:23Oh, no.

01:04:51Oh, no.

01:05:19Oh, no.

01:05:49Oh, no.

01:05:51Oh, no.

01:06:22Oh, no.

01:07:02Oh, no.

01:07:29Oh, no.

01:07:33Oh, no.

01:08:03Oh, no.

01:08:09Oh, no.

01:08:26Oh, no.

01:08:57Oh, no.

01:09:22Oh, no.

01:09:29Oh, no.

Manos: The Hands of Fate (1966) – Infamous Cult Horror Made on a Bet

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