A Review of "The Abominable Dr. Phibes"

“There are two sides to Dr. Phibes: both of them evil!” **Cue corny and overly dramatic ‘dun-dun-dun’.** There is only one word needed to describe this film: bizarre. There can be no other film like it—it is that unique. It plays out like an acid-trip set to organ music from start to finish, as we follow the post-resurrection life of Dr. Anton Phibes (Vincent Price, one of my all-time favorite actors), who was possibly killed but definitely horribly disfigured in a car accident many years earlier. Dying in the crash was his beloved wife, who he is still madly in love with, and whom he seeks vengeance for. Also, a biblical scholar in addition to being a world-renown organ player, Phibes begins to murder every doctor and nurse who worked on his wife after the crash and failed to save her. Each death would be a variation on the different biblical plagues. Everything about this movie is outrageous. The costumes, sets, and music. Everything! It is a one of a kind film that you have to see to truly know how unique it is. If some of the murders and, uh, daily habits, of Phibes do not make you squirm, his self-embalming in a glass coffin to a brass band tune of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” in the finale will certainly leave you comically uneasy and at a loss for words. The first time you see it, “What the hell did I just watch?” comes to mind, but with each viewing you will realize that this is a hidden gem of horror film-making, and one that I could watch over and over again. Case in point, this film is not nearly as well known as it should be. Also starring in good supporting roles are Joseph Cotten and Hugh Griffith. Directed by Robert Fuest. Final Verdict: Trophy Case.

Shared from: https://pictureinparagraph.wordpress.com/2015/02/08/review-the-abomina ble-dr-phibes-1971/