Abominable Dr Phibes [DVD]
Abominable Dr Phibes [DVD]
![Abominable Dr Phibes [DVD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51PHZ7357XL._SL160_.jpg)
The Abominable Dr Phibes is an unusually beautiful horror classic in which Vincent Price stars as the titular genius who specialises in organ music, theology and concocting bizarre deaths for anyone who wrongs him. Discovering why is half the fun, so for now let’s just say that Phibes is a little mad and very, very angry. Aided by his assistant, the lovely, silent Vulnavia, Phibes begins cutting a gory swathe through London’s medical community, with the dogged Inspector Trout hot on his tail. Th
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a plague on them all,
Dr Anton Phibes (the late great Vincent Price) is out for revenge on those who’s incompetance killed his wife Victoria (Caroline Monroe) with the help of his beautiful but mute assistant Vulnavia (VIrginia North).
In the firing line are the likes of Terry Thomas who plays Dr Longstreet a porn mad surgeon who suffers the curse of blood. Joseph Cotton plays Dr Vesalius, a part that was originally meant for Peter Cushing, but Mr Cushing’s wife was very ill at the time and he had to withdraw from the filming.
All the deaths follow the plagues of Egypt: curse of boils, bats, frogs, the curse of blood, the curse of rats, hail, of beasts, the locust, of course, the death of the first-born, and then, finally, of darkness.
It is one of those films where you want the bad guy to win, and played to the campest level possible. Inspector Trout (Peter Jeffrey) and Sgt Schenley (Norman Jones) add extra comic relief to the film.
A great piece of escapism, that I remember from my childhood along with the Friday night Hammer Horror movies. Absolutely wonderful regardless of the fact that there are no extras.
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|The Abominable Dr. Phibes – Abominably good fun!,
This must be one of the greatest tales of revenge ever told. The abominable Dr. Phibes is on the rampage, finding inventive ways to bump off the team of doctors he blames for his wife’s death.
Don’t worry about the silly premise, the plot holes, or the anachronisms – just sit back and enjoy the fun. Vincent Price shines as Phibes, it’s amazing how much he manages to do with the character given that he can only mime facial expression to a pre-recorded voiceover. He makes the character a believable genius psychopath, bringing just the right amount of creepiness and humour to the part.
It is the sense of humour that is the key to this film. If it was just a run of the mill psycho revenge movie it wouldn’t work. But by using a cast of gifted comic actors and adding a touch of macabre humour to several key scenes the film is lifted to great heights. Who can forget Terry Thomas’ reaction to the beautiful Vulnavia walking into his room? Or Hugh Griffiths as the strangely Welsh sounding Rabbi?
This is decent budget DVD release. The film is presented in the original 1.85:1 widescreen, with a mono soundtrack. There has been no remastering, but the picture is nice and clean with a minimum of artefacts. Extras are limited to the original theatrical trailers which are quite interesting.
Not a film to be taken seriously, this is enormously entertaining and is highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a black comedy
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|Nobody seeks revenge like the abominable Dr. Phibes!,
Not since Dante came up with appropriate eternal punishments for those sent to the Inferno has there been such a macabre genius for taking vengeance as “The Abominable Dr. Phibes.” The title character, played to the hilt and beyond by Vincent Price, seeks revenge upon the nine doctors he feels are responsible for the death of his beloved wife, Victoria. As inspiration, Anton Phibes uses the Plagues of Egypt, knocking off victims (including Terry-Thomas) with frogs, locusts and the like with the help of his silent assistant Vulnavia (Virginia North), while playing his grand pipe organ. Poor Inspector Trout (Peter Jeffrey) tries to get one step ahead of the Good Doctor, but he cannot even keep up as the murders progress. Phibes saves the best for last: Dr. Vesalius (Joseph Cotten), the man who botched the operation, at least in Phibes twisted view. By this point Phibes is up to the Death of the First Born and Dr. Vesalius has to operate on his son to the boy from suffering the same fate as Phibes.
“The Abominable Dr. Phibes” is like “Richard III” and “Silence of the Lambs” in that you find yourself rooting for the villain. This might be camp but it is done with such style and flair, not to mention a macabre (if not sick) humor. I love the fact that Vincent Price does all of his lines as a sort of disembodied voice. His lips never move, a result of having his character’s mouth currently being in the side of his neck (what did you expect in a film that is so tongue in cheek?). This 1971 film, directed by Robert Fuest, was scripted by James Whiton and William Goldstein, a pair of decidedly sick human beings. Followed the next year by “Dr. Phibes Rises Again,” Price did another camp revenge film, “Theater of Blood” in 1973. But be warned: most women do not consider these films appropriate for dates.
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