The Abominable Dr. Phibes

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The Abominable Dr. Phibes

PG-13,

1971,

1h 33m,

Horror/

Comedy

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Watchlist

87%

38 Reviews

Tomatometer

75%

5,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

38 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

In a desperate attempt to reach his ill wife, organist Anton Phibes (Vincent Price) is horrifically disfigured in a car accident and presumed dead. When he learns that his wife died during an operation, Phibes blames her surgeons and plots an elaborate revenge to punish them for their incompetence. With the help of a mute assistant (Virginia North), Phibes creates a mask resembling his own face and murders the surgeons one by one using bizarre methods inspired by the biblical plagues.

Critics Consensus

The Abominable Dr. Phibes juggles horror and humor, but under the picture's campy façade, there's genuine pathos brought poignantly to life through Price's performance.

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David Robinson

Financial Times

May 14, 2020

Mr. Fuest makes very tolerable use of bis means: added to which he has the overwhelming advantage of Vincent Price as the Abominable Doctor.

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Margaret Hinxman

Daily Telegraph (UK)

May 14, 2020

It has, incidentally, a really well thought out revenge plot, directed by Robert Fuest with tons more style and assurance than he brought to Wuthering Heights.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Oct 19, 2016

A former art director, Fuest gives the film a preposterously lush, Ken Russell-ish look. Highly enjoyable.

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Rosalie Kicks

MovieJawn

Jun 19, 2024

3.75/4

I believe this specific film was especially made for me.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Apr 23, 2022

3/4

There's plenty of innovation on display, to say nothing of ample amounts of effective humor.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Aug 27, 2020

9/10

The climax is so dementedly intriguing, perfectly bringing together all the inventive weirdness before it, that it boldly caps off an unforgettable masterwork of the macabre.

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Leia S

Apr 14, 2019

A campy horror-comedy. It's not the best horror movie ever made, but it actually makes for a memorable and interesting view. Vincent Price delivers another creepy performance, the script is written in an original and fastly-paced manner, the sets are well made and the concept is very interesting. The film's humor can also be charming and funny, without forgetting the memorable and heavy use of a good score. Overall, this should be considered a Vincent Price classic. Recommended!!

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Hermione S

Nov 10, 2018

An elegant horror comedy from the early 70's with a refined English humour, graceful soundtrack featuring solemn organ and of course the imitable Vincent Price in an earnest role of a vengeful husband who lost his wife and eventually his reasoning. On the surface it might look like a typical campy b-movie, but the combination of the above elements elevates it way higher and makes it an enjoyable experience. The witticism of detectives's dialogues is yet another amusing feature.

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Albus R

Oct 12, 2018

A classic of the genre.

Ron M

Apr 11, 2018

this is a weird old movie. vincent looks ugly as hell with that makeup on

Poe S

Mar 16, 2018

Vincent Price foreshadows his Edward Lionheart in Theatre of Blood in this ðeliriously camp horror comedy. Speaking (and drinking) via a tracheotomy in his neck he dispatches several former colleagues in ways outlined by Hebrew scripture (don't ask). It plays like an extended episode of TV classic The Avengers. No surprise when you realise it's directed by Robert Fuest. Great fun, and Price is wonderful.

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Theodore G

Nov 6, 2017

One of the last major productions of MGM that although has quite the reputation is quite a bit of a blunder. The story of Dr. Phibes obsessed with the negligence of doctors regarding his wife's death so he decides to avenge her but murdering them all. A very confusing & convoluted film it's hard to really get in to. Great costumes & set decoration to its merit.

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Robert Fuest

Director

Vincent Price

Dr. Anton Phibes

Joseph Cotten

Dr. Vesalius

Terry-Thomas

Dr. Longstreet

Hugh Griffith

Rabbi

Virginia North

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Synopsis

In a desperate attempt to reach his ill wife, organist Anton Phibes (Vincent Price) is horrifically disfigured in a car accident and presumed dead. When he learns that his wife died during an operation, Phibes blames her surgeons and plots an elaborate revenge to punish them for their incompetence. With the help of a mute assistant (Virginia North), Phibes creates a mask resembling his own face and murders the surgeons one by one using bizarre methods inspired by the biblical plagues.

Director: Robert Fuest
Producer: Louis M. Heyward, Ronald Dunas
Screenwriter: James Whiton, William Goldstein
Distributor: Live Video, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Image Entertainment Inc., Orion Pictures, American International Pictures, Vestron Video, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corp., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: American International Pictures (AIP)
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Horror, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 18, 1971, Original
Release Date (DVD): Feb 20, 2001
Runtime: 1h 33m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Flat (1.85:1)

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