Not The Phirst, Only The Best...
Although many have cited the influence of the Phibes films on later mad-killer-genius films such as SE7EN and SAW, it's not actually the first of its type. You can see prototypes of these situations in earlier films, most particularly in Michael Gough's lurid B-movie, HORRORS OF THE BLACK MUSEUM. The Phibes films refine the ideas and add charm to them, but a vengeful madman with clever and sadistic murder methods isn't actually invented with these great movies. -- Richard
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