The Abominable Doctor Phibes (DVD)

...heavily reminiscent in places of The Avengers. Really, it is just a collection of impressive set-pieces, as embittered Doctor Anton Phibes seeks revenge on the medical staff who failed to save the life of his beloved wife.

Setting out to kill the nine doctors who assisted in the operation, he follows the path of the nine biblical plagues, and so one by one the doctors succumb to rats, locusts, hail etc. The police are baffled, as always, ...
...death.

While the plot is a simple linear affair on which writers James Whiton and William Goldstein hang outrageous death upon outrageous death, the script is a delight, from which the cast have a ball.

The cast is an impressive one, and really it is difficult to imagine anyone other than Vincent Price in the role of Phibes. Robbed of his voice, as Phibes was so badly injured in the car crash, also having all of his ... more

Robert Fuest came to 'The Abominable Dr Phibes' in 1971 with plenty of experience as a director and as a production designer, a great deal of which was from working on 'The Avengers' TV series. 'Phibes' benefits greatly from a light and campy tone, full of wit, and heavily reminiscent in places of The Avengers. Really, it is just a collection of impressive set-pieces, as embittered Doctor Anton Phibes seeks revenge on the medical staff who failed to save the life of his beloved wife.

Setting out to kill the nine doctors who assisted in the operation, he follows the path of the nine biblical plagues, and so one by one the doctors succumb to rats, locusts, hail etc. The police are baffled, as always, and even when they do spot the connection, surely Phibes can't be orchestrating this mayhem...he died in a car crash after learning of his wife's death.

While the plot is a simple linear affair on which writers James Whiton and William Goldstein hang outrageous death upon outrageous death, the script is a delight, from which the cast have a ball.

The cast is an impressive one, and really it is difficult to imagine anyone other than Vincent Price in the role of Phibes. Robbed of his voice, as Phibes was so badly injured in the car crash, also having all of his facial features burnt away, Price still has that presence, and makes Phibes a sympathetic figure. He is aided in his machiavellian work by mute assistant Vulnavia, the beautiful Virginia North. His nemesis is Dr Vesalius, Joseph Cotten, the last Doctor on his list, and it is a race against time as to who will outwit who for the pair.

Looking further down the list we see Terry-Thomas, he meets a horrid end, and one that has stopped a mate of mine from ever being able to give blood. Peter Jeffrey turns in a nice performance as Inspector Trout, a baffled policeman. Then keep your eyes open for Peter Gilmore, John Cater, Hugh Griffith, Aubrey Woods and one for Karenuk - Ian Marter as a policeman.

Set in the 1920's amid some fantastic art deco sets, 'Phibes' is a visual feast, and never fails to be imaginitive. Dr Phibes lives in a wonderfully conceived underground lair replete with organ, clockwork band, waterways, and much much deco artwork.

Feust appears to be in his element directing the feature, and while it does suffer from looking and feeling like a rather over extended Avengers episode, fans of that particular show will say that's no bad thing. Indeed, 'Phibes' is great fun, and if you want a series of ever more ingenious deaths, then stay well away from tat like Damien II, and head straight for Feusts delightful little film.

If the sets look great, then the work by various effects teams and costumers is equally impressive. Phibes scarred form is quite chilling, and the 1920's era is reinforced very skilfully, creating a rich atmosphere.

Basil Kirchin and Jack Nathan create a good score, making much of Phibes organ and his period robotic band.

'The Abominable Doctor Phibes' is a romp, tongue firmly in scarred cheek, with a gruesome line in humour, it rarely scares, but always creates a smile. That the sequel 'Dr Phibes Rises Again' is disappointing merely points to how good 'Abominable' is, and again there is much enjoyment to be had from a great cast, Peter Cushing, Gerald Sim, John Thaw amongst others, and this time Phibes is pursuing the Elixir of Life in Eygpt. However, with the lack of a revenge motif, most of the deaths are contrived and there is a distinct air of 'seen it all before'.

The two are both available on region 1 dvd, and are part of MGM's quite nifty Midnite Movies collection. They will sneak out here unnanounced for £9.99 at some point, so keep your eyes peeled.

 

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