Dr Phibes Rises Again (1972)
Flesh crawls! Blood curdles!Phibes Lives!
Director – Robert Fuest

Writers – Robert Fuest, Robert Blees

Starring – Vincent Price, Robert Quarry, Peter Jeffrey, Fiona Lewis, Hugh Griffith, John Cater, Gerald Sim, Lewis Fiandor, John Thaw, Peter Cushing, Beryl Reid, Terry-Thomas, Keith Buckley, Valli Kemp, Milton Reid

Review by The_Void

Dr Phibes’ return isn’t quite as good as it was first time round,

Dr Phibes Rises Again is the sequel to the magnificent ‘The Abominable Dr Phibes’. The original film achieved cult classic status through a magnificent performance from Vincent Price as the vengeful doctor of the title, and an over the top, absurd, camp styling that set it apart from most other films in it’s field. Both of these ingredients are present for the sequel, but it doesn’t succeed like the first one did because there’s just something missing. The sequel sees Dr Phibes ‘rise again’ upon the moon aligning itself in a certain way (or something) and travelling to Egypt to find a river that will grant him and his neither living, nor completely dead beloved, immortality. However, things aren’t so simple because the scrolls that lead the way to the river have been stolen and Phibes has a contender; someone that needs to find the river just as much as he does out there in Egypt with him.

What’s basically missing from this film is assurance. The first film obviously knew what it wanted to do and so was able to do it and not let anything get in the way; this one is very muddled, and it never completely gives the impression that it knows where it wants to go. Just like the first film, this one delivers some very imaginative and very grisly methods of dispatch for it’s lesser characters. However, these death scenes almost appear superfluous to the plot, and appear to only be there to continue what the original started, as Phibes probably could have gotten where he wanted to go without them…but I’m not one to complain about a film that sees a man trapped in a giant gold scorpion while being eaten to death by live ones, and another man killed via a sharp spike shooting out of the telephone, so whether they’re needed or not; they’re nice. The film also features, like the original did, a lovely camp feeling; but it’s never on the same level as it was in ‘The Abominable’. Perhaps it’s the move to Egypt and the low quality of the set’s (as opposed to the grand and lavish ones of the original) what’s done it.

As mentioned, Vincent Price returns to take up one of the roles that have helped cement him in the minds of his fans – Dr Phibes himself. This role, frankly, was made for Vincent Price; and he excels at playing it. It can be said that he doesn’t do quite as good a job here, but then again; he didn’t have as much good stuff to work with. Also making an appearance is fellow horror legend – Peter Cushing. Cushing only actually appears for all of about two minutes, but it’s nice to see him nonetheless.

Robert Fuest returns to the director’s chair, as you’d probably expect; but the most notable performance in the film (other than Price) comes from Peter Jeffrey, in the role of the inept Scotland Yard inspector – Inspector Trout. Jeffrey delivers his lines with impeccable comic timing and steals every scene he’s in. I’d even go as far as to say that Jeffrey is just as important a part of these two movies as Vincent Price is.

Overall, this film isn’t nearly as good as ‘The Abominable Dr Phibes’, but fans of the original will find lots to like and despite the fact that it’s a lesser film and has many flaws; I love this kind of stuff so it gets a big thumbs up from me.

Dr Phibes Rises Again (1972)

Review by Wayne Malin

I actually liked this as much as the first!,
Dr. Phibes rises from the dead three years after the first film. He tells Victoria (his dead wife played again by Caroline Munro) that he’s bringing her to Egypt to revive her in some river of life (None of this was mentioned in the first film). He calls on Vulnavia to help him. That’s quite a feat considering she was killed by acid in the first film. But then she is played by Valli Kemp instead of Virginia North so I guess that makes sense (I’m kidding). He finds his map to the river in Egypt has been taken by Darius Biederbeck (Robert Quarry). He wasn’t mentioned in the first film either. He gets it back but Darius also knows where it is. Phibes and Biderbeck race to get there…and Phibes promises to kill anyone who gets in his way.

Also Terry-Thomas appears briefly. He was killed in the first one so he plays a different character here. Whether that’s supposed to be funny or…something I don’t know. As you can see this makes little sense and there’s a total lack of logic but I still had fun. Price really seems to be getting into his role and Quarry is amusing. The actors hated each other and that comes through loud and clear during their final confrontation. Also Inspector Trout is back providing some very funny comic relief. And Kemp is not as good as North was as Vulnavia (she seems to be quite shocked when she sees Price in his skeleton face) and she’s called upon to make these ridiculous poses.

Like the first one this has bloody, inventive and (sometimes) hilarious murders. The ending especially is great–probably your only chance to hear Price singing “Over the Rainbow”! Also Peter Cushing has a cameo as a ships captain.

Fun, gory and fast. Like the first, this ends after the closing credits with Price giving an evil little laugh.