The Abominable Dr. Phibes

Vincent Price stars in what is quite possibly, the ultimate Vincent Price movie, one that practically cemented his public and professional identity as the living personification of all things horror.In "The Abominable Dr. Phibes," he plays the undead Doctor Anton Phibes, a mysterious figure who is systematically hunting down a team of doctors that he feels were all personally responsible for the untimely death of his beloved wife. Joseph Cotten steps in for Peter Cushing-(who turned down the role)-as Dr. Vesalius, the chief surgeon of the botched procedure and British comedian Terry Thomas pops up in a brief and amusing cameo as one of the doomed doctors.Phibes dispatches his victims throughout the film in a spectacular variety of bizarre and gruesome manners, all of which are inspired by ten biblical curses involving various deaths brought on, among other things, by bats, rats, and locusts! The most effective and exceptionally creative idea at work here is the way in which this is all presented. The theme is difficult to decipher in precise terms. Some will see this as a horror film. Some will view it as a dark comedy or an atypical revenge tale. And others will recognize a tragic love story.While the plot, on paper, may seem disturbing, the overall execution of it is handled in a surprisingly light-hearted, almost comical, tone. This is further supported by Basil Kirchin's unique musical score. Most of the more grisly special effects are left to the viewer's imagination rather than being directly presented on the screen. Violence, what there is of it, is very subtle and hardly anything overt is ever shown.The unique visual style is as ingenious as the innovative and brilliantly grotesque manner in which the murders are carried out. Phibes is clearly a vengeful psychopath. But he is also a melancholic and altogether hopeless romantic whose life has become meaningless since the tragic loss of his wife, and whose only remaining joys are his grotesque organ play and his ever-burning desire for retribution. There is very little not to like in this film. It's one of the rare cult films that offers broad appeal to anyone, whether they're looking for straight up thrills or a smattering of dark humor. Audiences will find all of that in equal spades here. And Vincent Price...it has to be said...portrays Phibes with such absolute brilliance, it is practically impossible to imagine any other actor awarding the role with the proper justice.Definitely check this one out.

The late actor Vincent Price was clearly an un-apreciated treasure who always served up a great performance whether he was in a Hammer Films horror mash-up or a bit part in a high-dollar Hollywood Extravaganza like "The Ten Commandments". The Abominable Dr. Phibes and the sequel  Dr. Phibes Rises Again!  is one of those gems that you should take the time to find and enjoy. The production values is somewhat stylized and the supporting actors are also turning in good performances. The script is just a little hokey, but then again, how else can you make a horror film unless the characters won't continually place themselves in a situation that the anti-hero such as Dr. Phibes can take advantage of them? The gore factor is mild by modern standards, but I remember it being quite a few years after I saw the movie as a pre-teen before I could submit to a blood test after watching Dr. Phibes extract his revenge on Terry Thomas. Rule of thumb - if you could get a film of Vincent Price reading the phone book, it would be worth checking out.

This is a review of the universal blu-ray (non country coded) version.The Dr. Phibes movies are a guilty pleasure of mine, sort of like Plan 9 for Outer Space or Cat Women of the Moon. The main difference between this and the earlier movies is simply that Vincent Price and his cast can act!You know the plot: Demented man avenges the death of his wife on those whom he believes killed her. In this case a surgical team. The deaths are clever and often smile evoking.I saw this in a theater when it came out and the colors and detail are probably better on this disc, what I could see on the silver screen.The print was almost flawless, occasionally you can see a flick of white where something was lost from the film negative, but the sound, sync, and clarity are outstanding.One note: In case you have a problem with the audio ... When I first tried the disc the video ran but not the sound. None of the audio controls were off. I checked the manual and it said that if you were playing a disc without a country code, to check to see if there was a software update for the blu-ray player (in this case a Sony). There was, but the download failed. The good news was that the player re-booted with the original software and the sound came through fine.Now next weekend, I set up the sequel!

Wasn't planning to watch it when someone put it on, but I got sucked in. It's bonkers. I loved it.

Vincent Price plays the evil 'undead' Dr. Phibes, a brilliant pianist who resurrects himself to seek bizarre vengeance on the medical staff he blames for his wife's early demise. The trailer for this movie scared me so badly as a child, that I stayed away from cinemas until I was 7 or 8! Images of locusts dropping onto nurse's heads while they slept, bats and rats devouring people - I had nightmares for years! When I was finally old enough to sit through the movie on TV with the lights out, I found it to be extremely clever and scary, but also a lot of fun! Vincent Price is great, and the film has a sort of old-fashioned 'Sherlock Holmes' quality to it.

Had to buy it great price

'CAMP' ,don'tcha love it? ..Well I'd have to answer ''er..not particularly" So I remember being slightly confused when I first saw this film on TV over 40years ago- what was it ? A Grand horror?,A comedy?, A tragedy,A Mystery?, A Musical ? .was it meant to be serious & when & where was it set?? ..& it surely looked a bit 'camp ' to me.. But this film from 1971 has aged or dated in all the right ways .From the pick'n'mix Art Deco or is it a Nouveau? with some late 60s early 70s style set design to Who else could play this disfigured , Mute ,maniacal character other than MR Vincent Price? the murder set pieces based on the bibles 'plagues of Egypt' ,the wonderful vibrant colours ,to the top rate supporting cast including Joseph Cotton,Terry Thomas ,Peter Gilmore , Hugh Griffith & Peter Jeffrey as the put upon Detective inspector...& not forgetting Virginia North as Dr Phibes loyal companion in dancing & deeds most foul- it really is a Joy & not surprisingly a sequel was soon in the making AND a virtual remake also starring Price ('Theatre of Blood')... It certainly was money well spent (approx £300,000) by the famously tight fisted American International Pictures. So this mid priced film looks 'top quality' with excellent sets by Brian Eatwell & lighting & cinematography (by Norman Warwick)The extras include (a 13min)'the League of Gentlemen' appreciation. Who notice the similarity of Dr Phibes 'Mechanical Musical band & the later Frank Sidebottom 'style' .This 2014 'Arrow Video' edition has Two excellent commentaries. One with Marcus Hearn getting the best from the films director Robert Fuest - the other has the co-screenwriter (with James Whitton)William Goldstein together with his son Damien ,who is clearly a fan of the film.The disc is in English & has optional English subtitles for the film (but doesn't have subtitles for commentaries or foreign language dubs or subtitles). The sound is in 'original uncompressed 2.0 PCM mono'. Image in High def Blu ray (1080p).The print has some noticeable wear on it - but not distracting ,so the stunning colour range ,Sets & story is what you really notice... All available at good prices....And theres also an original trailer & the disc comes with a reversible sleeve (with 2 good images)..Music by Basil Kirchin . 'Color by Movielab'.Aspect ratio 1,85:1. Running time 94mins . '15' certificate...

This film is an absolute gem. Vincent Price is at his best as the eponymous vengeful organ player and inventor. He methodically and malevolently carries out his grand plan to bump off nine surgeons who wronged him. The ways he employs are both inventive and deadly, and he is ably assisted by a beautiful, violin playing woman, Vulnavia, played by Virginia North.This is a delightful campy ‘Horror’ film with a large dose of humour thrown in. Price pitches his character just right as the scarred Dr Phibes who you actually want to succeed due to the pathos and sincerity he imbues him with. I was reminded of elements of The Phantom of the Opera watching him.The whole look inside of the house where Phibes and Vulnavia are based is fascinating, with an automaton band playing, whilst they waltz around the floor together attractively in outlandish costumes. The look is important because neither of them speak very much. It’s very surreal.I loved the car Phibes is chauffeured around in by Vulnavia, having frosted rear windows with a drawing of Phibes in profile; bizarre but comically right.The supporting actors include Joseph Cotton, Terry-Thomas, Hugh Griffiths and Caroline Munro.So suspend your disbelief and enjoy it, totally absurd but great fun.5 stars

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.

This is an interesting and very original film. Vincent Price plays Dr Phibes,and the plot centres on his painstaking methods of exacting revenge on those who he sees as being responsible for the death of his wife.I wont give away too many plot details,except to say that Dr Phibes is highly inventive when it comes to killing his victims.This role suits Vincent Price perfectly.Dr Phibes is a patient man,taking his time as he works through a list of victims, and Price portrays that quiet determination so well.The sets and costumes are theatrical, and made me wonder if this story had ever been done on stage.This DVD is a straightforward release,with no extra features.I found it annoying that the opening credits do not fit on the screen,I imagine that the rest of the film also had the edges chopped off to fit on a TV screen. Besides that,I found this an unusual film. A curiosity from 1971.If the face of the late Mrs Phibes (only seen in still photographs) looks familiar to you, she is played by former model & Bond girl Caroline Munro.

This is a fun film, and even though it is a horror it doesn't seem it, simply because of the accompanying comic touches.Dr Phibes has inventive, over the top, biblical revenges for the medical staff who failed to save his wife, and they are delivered in darkly comic fashion - there is no rooting for the victims in this film. Like another reviewer, I wondered when the story was supposed to be set, but in no way did it spoil any of the enjoyment.Vincent Price looks as if he is really enjoying himself playing Dr Phibes. He never talks but he says so much with facial expressions. His house is a monument to his deranged character, from the puppet brass band, his aide, the silent Vulnavia, the rising and lowering organ and the underground room. The last scene is ripe for wondering if there will be a sequel. Happily there was :).