Wednesday, August 21, 2013

The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)


Is there anyone who doesn't like Vincent Price, even when he's evil? Price is Dr. Phibes, a disfigured doctor who plays a huge pipe organ, mourns for his dear departed wife, eats through a hole in his neck, and plans revenge on the doctors he blames for her death.

Not only is Phibes a doctor, he's also a biblical scholar.  So with the help of his silent assistant Vulnavia, he decides to unleash the plagues of Egypt mentioned in the Old Testament.

With each odd death, Inspector Trout begins to piece together that there must be a connection between the victims. Even though you know each victim is going to die, but you wonder how Phibes is going to accomplish it and not get caught.

Though Phibes is wrong in what he's doing, for some reason you want him to succeed. Perhaps it is due to Price's portrayal, as he does a great job.  Or it may be because we don't get to know any of the victims until the last man, who seems an okay fellow and not someone who needs to die.

The set design for Phibes sanctuary is fantastic and the clockwork band are creepy but kind of cool.  The frog mask is outstanding (although the method of death makes me cringe).

An incredible frog mask which leads to a horrible death
Phibes and his clockwork band

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