The Abominable Dr. Phibes

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The Abominable Dr. Phibes

PG-13

1971

1h 33m

Horror

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

41 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

05/14/2020

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)

05/14/2020

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

10/19/2016

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

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Rosalie Kicks

MovieJawn

06/19/2024

3.75/4

I believe this specific film was especially made for me.

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Kristin Battestella

InSession Film

04/19/2024

Distorted editing accents the suspense, archaeology adventure, Egyptian elixirs, and demented love story...

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

04/23/2022

3/4

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

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Harry H.

@Movies10 Nov 4

I can't say my thoughts on this movie cause Rotten Tomatoes won't let me.

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Lau S

@LaurainSilentill Jul 29

I love this horror movie! Damn great!

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CodyZamboni Z

@CodyZamboni 11/10/2024

Amusing, Fast paced, Campy, horror comedy, Vincent Price brings menace and style to the title role, Taking his revenge on doctors who didn’t save his wife, Methods of execution, taken from Exodus, are outrageous and disturbing, With one contraption reminding me of the Saw movies, The supporting cast give their all, Also noteworthy - the flamboyant production design,

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Dallas H

11/10/2024

Creepy factor and Vincent Price? Yes, please.

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S R

@ScottR 11/07/2023

Cult movie that I didn't really enjoy. Some interesting ideas, but it seemed more like an LSD trip. Saw on TCM.

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Mike F

10/29/2023

The first word I would use to describe this movie is strange, however, I very much enjoyed the humor of this movie. This was likely the origin of Saw, as the dramatic last scene looked eerily familiar.

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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)