Price returns from the dead to avenge himself on the medical staff who he blames for his wife’s death.
Hugely entertaining comic horror, as Phibes venges himself on the medical types he believes killed his beloved. I would imagine the kids can watch this one nowadays. Vincent Price's finest hour and a 1/2. See Theatre of Blood too!
-The Sloth
A vastly overrated film, notable mainly for its fine art direction and music, as well as Peter Jeffrey’s excellent performance. Sometimes called a comedy, which it isn’t, especially when you consider the victims are all innocent, which makes the whole thing unpleasant. Some call this Price’s finest performance, which is not true, considering he appears on screen only briefly and his lines are all voice-overs. Above all, there’s a fatal whiff of pretension hanging over it all, which gets pretty rank after a while. Watch Theatre of Blood, a similar but vastly superior film. Much more fun to watch movie critics get offed, and Price actually gets to perform in that one. Followed by an awful sequel, Dr. Phibes Rises Again.
The Saw series “borrows” many plot elements from this film.
-Dave W. |