The Abominable Dr. Phibes
1971, UK/USA, Directed by Robert Fuest
Colour, running time: 91 minutes
DVD, Region 2, MGM, Video: Anamorphic 1.85:1, Audio: Mono
Vincent Price plays a surgically-knowledgeable ex-musician seeking biblical revenge, with the help of his attractive assistant, on nine doctors whom he considers responsible for the fact that his wife died during surgery. Strangely, his wife was ‘played’ by Caroline Munro in what must be one of the most non-existent roles ever. Each death is inventive and varied, predating the modern slasher film in some ways, and the film is laced with an undercurrent of black comedy whilst being played against a backdrop of colourful sets.
The film has a camp feel, coming across as a mix of Danger Diabolik, the 60s Batman TV series, and Roger Corman’s Edgar Allan Poe cycle. Price seemed in his element with this kind of material, overacting to his heart’s content, while never actually opening his mouth on screen due to wearing a mask to cover his horrifying scars. Instead, he speaks through a device attached to his throat and routed through a sound instrument. The strange brand of humour works in one or two places (for example, the police having to physically rotate a victim’s entire body in order to release it from impalement), and the production is quite imaginative, but generally I do get a little bored with this film, though it has its fans and is considered a cult piece. It was quite popular at the time and resulted in a sequel a year later.
The UK MGM disc features a bright, appropriately saturated and very detailed anamorphic transfer that is surprisingly attractive on the eye, making it a good buy for fans (despite the only extra being a trailer) - you can generally pick the disc up for a low price. The US release was basically the same.
God, I wish I was around during a time when Vincent Price was at his height and I could visit fun horror films like this one. It’s not up to the campy standards of Theatre of Blood, but I love it all the same…
March 5th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Me too, Mike - I’m old enough but not quite old enough for the Vincent Price era on cinema screens. Of course the next best thing is to get a good projector and watch those films at home - you can get surprisingly good picture quality from a decent projector these days. And no disturbances from people who can’t keep their mouths shut at the cinema either!
March 6th, 2007 at 2:13 pm