Dr. Phibes Rises Again (1972)

The vengeful doctor rises again, seeking the Scrolls of Life in an attempt to resurrect his deceased wife.

Director:

Robert Fuest

Writers:

Robert Fuest, Robert Blees

Stars:

Vincent Price, Robert Quarry, Valli Kemp

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Vincent Price	...	Dr. Anton Phibes
Robert Quarry	...	Darrus Biederbeck
Valli Kemp	...	Vulnavia
Hugh Griffith	...	Harry Ambrose
John Thaw	...	Shavers
Keith Buckley	...	Stewart
Lewis Fiander	...	Baker
Gerald Sim	...	Hackett
Milton Reid	...	Manservant - Cheng
Peter Jeffrey	...	Inspecter Trout
John Cater	...	Superintendent Waverley
Peter Cushing	...	Captain
Beryl Reid	...	Miss Ambrose
Terry-Thomas	...	Lombardo
Fiona Lewis	...	Diana Trowbridge

Storyline

The moon rises at a predestined angle and awakens the sleeping Dr. Phibes three years later. To his dismay, he finds his house has been demolished and his papyrus scrolls stolen, the scrolls he needs to find the Pharoah's Tomb in Egypt, where the River of Life flows. After identifying the source of the papyrus theft, he packs and leaves for Egypt with his assistant Vulnavia, still intent upon awakening his dead wife Victoria. The parties responsible for the theft of Phibes' scrolls suffer an attrition problem as Inspector Trout chases him across the world.

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Plot Keywords:

egypt | tomb | telephone rigged to kill | mad scientist | sarcophagus | 

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Taglines:

The Sting's in the tale! Another horrendous story from the merchant of menace

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Genres:

Comedy | Horror

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

MGM Studios [United States]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

July 1972 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Rückkehr des Dr. Phibes

Filming Locations:

Almería, Andalucía, Spain

Company Credits

Production Co:

American International Pictures (AIP)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Peter Cushing was originally cast in the Joseph Cotten role in the original film, but withdrew due to his wife's ailing health. He was able to supply a cameo in this film, a day's work (the film was shot in December 1971).

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Goofs

At the end of the movie, set in 1928, Phibes sings 'Over The Rainbow', first recorded in 1938.

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Quotes

Stewart: There's enough going on without you getting into more trouble.
Baker: That kind of trouble I can take.
Stewart: Yes, well she belongs to Beiderbeck.
Baker: Don't we all?

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Crazy Credits

This time, Phibes laughs just before the last chord of the music after the credits.

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Alternate Versions

The French language version features different music during the opening recap sequence.

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Connections

Referenced in Friday the 13th: The Series: Wax Magic (1988)

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Soundtracks

Over the Rainbow
(uncredited)
Music by Harold Arlen
Performed by Vincent Price
(played over the end titles)

User Reviews

Comedic Horror and Vincent Price

The juxtapositioning of lame one-liners and overused sight gags with some rather memorable and disturbing murders are what this film is all about. Its all of a rather low quality in virtually all respects, yet with Vincent Price as a diabolical lead, the many foibles are easily overlooked. Phibes has risen from suspended animation and once more has a bee in his bonnet for those who killed his wife and took away his face. He's not content with simply killing them. Oh no, each murder is creative, elaborate and basically nonsensical in their conception. But still horrific somehow. There's no sport in criticizing the plot, questions like why Phibes conjures these nasty deaths for the lackeys of his enemy who are all actually ignorant and innocent of any wrongdoing. Then he chooses to reason with the one man who is actually trying to destroy him. Very EC comic inspired, and if you like that sort of thing, you will like this film. Keep this away formt he impressionable kids though. I saw this when I was really young, and the images were emblazened on my brain for all time. Beware!!!