The Abominable Dr. Phibes Movie Review

After being disfigured (and believed dead) in a freak car accident, a twisted genius decides that the members of a surgical team let his wife die and shall each perish by a different Biblical plague. Highly stylish, the murders all have a ceremonial feel to them. Though set in the 1920s, Phibes' equipment seems a bit ahead of its time – and where did he get a Frank Sinatra record? High camp balances gore with plenty of good humor, with the veteran cast of British character actors in top form. Caroline Munro appears only in photographs as the deceased wife, Victoria Regina (which was also the name of the hit play that made Vincent Price a star). Followed in 1972 by Dr. Phibes Rises Again.

1971 (PG) 90m/C GB Vincent Price, Joseph Cotten, Hugh Griffith, Terry-Thomas, Virginia North, Susan Travers, Alex Scott, Caroline Munro; D: Robert Fuest. VHS, Beta, LV VES, LIV, ORI