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Three years on from the events which took place in The
Abominable Dr. Phibes, a conjunction of the moon with the
stars pumps blood back into the veins of Phibes. Once revived,
he makes plans to take his dead wife, Victoria, to a place
in Egypt which holds the secret to resurrection for her, as
well as eternal life for them both. The papyrus which shows
the route has been stolen by Biederbeck, a man who desperately
seeks eternal life for himself. The bizarre deaths of those
who stumble across the fanatical path of Phibes brings Inspector
Trout of Scotland Yard into the scenario. But it is knowledge
of a theatrical organ and life-size clockwork orchestra shipped
to Egypt which makes him suspect Phibes. Trout catches up
with Biederbeck, and the latter discovers the caves which
lead to the tomb where Phibes has set up his headquarters
above the River of Life. Awaiting the correct astrological
conjunction, all that Phibes can do is pick off those who
come too close. When Biederbeck steals a sarcophagus containing
his beloved wife, Phibes steals it back. However, the key
which opens the gates to the waters below is missing, so he
kidnaps Biederbeck's wife to get it back. What follows is
a battle of wits only one man is destined to win...
Here
we go with another bunch of Phibes, and at first appearance
it seems we're going to be subjected to much of the same as
this film's predecessor. However, the structuring makes the
format quite different. Whereas The Abominable Dr. Phibes
is a tale of revenge based on an Egyptian curse, the sequel
shows the so-called fiend in a powerfully sympathetic light.
He seeks only to revive his beloved dead wife in the River
of Life which flows beneath the mountain. It is only when
people seek to thwart his plans or try to steal from him that
he kills with devilishly inventive schemes. He even comments
to himself about being forced to kill again. Further to being
original, these schemes are also very amusing... at least
to a thirty-year retrospective audience. There's the mechanical
snakes misleading the victim into being bitten by a real one;
the phone receiver with a snake-spike which enters through
one ear and emerges from the other; and the man who is drowned
in a seven feet tall display bottle of whiskey, which washes
up in England. There is a particularly funny moment when a
character is attacked by locusts through the dashboard of
his jeep and the vehicle drives into camp with only a skeleton
at the wheel.
Aside
from Vincent Price as Phibes, Peter Jeffrey returns as Trout
from the first film, as does John Gater as Waverley. This
is where it gets interesting, as there are bit parts from
such illuminaries as Peter Cushing, Beryl Reid and John Thaw,
who is quickly dispatched by Phibes' trained hawk. Terry-Thomas,
who was one of the doctor's victims in the first film, plays
a different character here (well, he would, wouldn't he!).
Although
this film's predecessor contained a more convincing motive,
Dr. Phibes Rises Again is in many ways a better film.
There are more locations, less time-wasting dancing and watching
the clockwork orchestra, and more deft touches which make
this outing more endearing. For example, at one point we see
Phibes transporting Victoria within a Rolls Royce casket (not
a car, just the transparent coffin) complete with identifying
grill and Wings of Destiny angel.
As
long as you're aware that this is intentional tongue-in-cheek
theatrical hokum, you'll appreciate what's on offer. Find
this in the bargain bucket and enjoy.
Ty
Power
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