The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)
Director: Robert Fuest
***1/2 Rating
Billed as Vincent Price's 100th film in order to draw more fans of his work to this piece, Dr.Phibes proves that horror can be done without over the top blood and gore. Its hard to just characterize this as just horror, because there is a great mix of comedy, drama, horror, and romance throughout this film. In later years, Dr. Phibes and it's sequel Dr. Phibes Rises Again has become something of a cult classic. The addition I have of the movie is a double feature of both movies. Dr. Phibes Rises Again will be reviewed at a later date.
Doctors are beginning killed left and right, with bizarre things that connect them to the ten plagues of Egypt. Inspector Trout (Peter Jeffrey) has been assigned to the investigation and finds that all the doctors are connected to a Dr. Anton Phibes and the death of his wife. But Dr. Phibes died in a car crash when he learned about his wifes death. It couldn't be him...or could it?
Vincent Prices has the stand out performance in this film, though most of his lines were recorded earlier. If that doesn't make sense, it will after you've watched it. The set design is amazing throughout this film, making this one of the more colorful horror films. I won't ruin the ways he kills his victims, but they are very inventive and reminds me a great deal of the Saw franchise. In fact, I do not think there would be a Jigsaw without a Dr. Phibes. Even the movie Se7en can contribute its success to how much it takes from this film.Very original both in story and the haunting organ music played throughout. The ending still leaves me breathless to this day.
Possible sequels planned included Dr. Phibes in the Holy Land, The Brides of Phibes, Phibes Resurrectus and The Seven Fates of Dr. Phibes. None were made.
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