The Abominable Dr. Phibes

The Abominable Dr. Phibes

Starring Vincent Price, Joseph Cotton, Peter Jeffrey, Virginia North

Directed by Robert Fuest

I’ll completely admit it. In my eyes, it’s extremely difficult to find fault with Vincent Price. I grew up watching his exploits, from the victim to the villain. There’s a signed 8x10 hanging above me television. However, and how I loathe to admit this, a few of his films were downright terrible. Fortunately “The Abominable Dr. Phibes” is one of the good ones.

As far as Price’s vast filmography goes, this is one of my all time favorites due to the odd nature of the film. This wasn’t the same old horror film of its day. Released in 1971, it didn’t have the exploitative edge of early 70’s cinema nor did have the overt gothic elements that much of Price’s horror films possess. Instead, this film remains its own unique animal utilizing an art deco feel, very macabre humor, and some seriously overt campy and over the top acting. While this may sound like a recipe for disaster, it actually turns out to be quite fun and extremely creative. There are so many strange and interesting elements to this film that make it completely watchable. While that actual plot and deaths contained within this odd bit of cinema may seem completely hokey, you may find yourself watching this film just to see how much more bizarre it can become. Probably the best description that comes to mind may be a horror and revenge thriller seen through the lens of Sid and Marty Krofft.

The story is as equally bizarre as the sets and costuming. Price stars as Dr. Anton Phibes, a world renowned organist, who was originally thought to have died in an automobile accident. The accident in question occurred as Phibes was rushing to the aid of his dying wife, who unfortunately expired on the operating table. Horribly disfigured and bent on his obsession for revenge, the film follows his plans to kill the nine surgeons and nurses who attended his wife’s operation. And in a very strange and ingenious manner, each of these murders are meant to reflect the 10 plagues of Egypt as stated in the Old Testament. Phibes nemesis throughout the film is Scotland Yard’s Inspector Trout. In many ways, this film exists in two worlds, the strange and fascinating world of Phibes and the stuffy, very prim and proper world of Trout. It makes for an interesting film experience. And with that being said, the films climax couldn’t be any better.

As stated, this is a very unusual film. In all reality, it is quite ridiculous and campy. With that being said, it comes to no surprise that this film has solely survived on its cult status. Even Phibes had no real onscreen speaking lines due to his disfigurement and instead relies upon an invention of his own creation, a chord plugged into his neck which allows his voice to be played through a speaker system. Like I said, bizarre. And while this sort of a situation may seem like it might be difficult for an actor to portray, Price pulls it off completely. You can tell that this was fun film to make and production notes state that Price’s makeup was constantly having to be touched up due to his inability to keep from smiling. Peter Jeffrey also gives an amazing performance as Inspector Trout, the proper Englishman surrounded by an incompetent police department. In as much as you are almost rooting for Phibes, you really want to see Trout make good on his investigation. This is a fun and engrossing film, even though you may be scratching your head afterward and asking yourself, “What the hell did I just see?”

The Money Shot: The first five minute sequence is by far the best. We see an almost unrecognizable pipe organ literally rise from the depths while watching a hooded and black robed performer playing “War March of the Priests” by Mendelssohn. Immediately following, we see this same black robed figure conducting a clockwork band which ends with in a ballroom waltz with a silent partner. It is the perfect way to start this film. It’s ambiguous, highly entertaining, and leaves you wanting to make more discoveries in this strange and odd world you’re viewing.