Review of The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971) by Ryan B — 09 Jun 2007

The apex of Vincent Price's storied and celebrated career. Price is the titular doctor, an organist and theologian in 1925 London who faked his death years earlier as part of an elaborate plot to employ the G'Tach - the Biblical ten plagues wrought upon Egypt - against the doctors and attendants he holds responsible for the death of his beautiful, beloved wife.

If that isn't weird enough, keep in mind Phibes, horribly scarred, must wear a strange mask to conceal his frightening visage, communicates only by means of a special phonograph-voicebox device, and is aided by his stunning but mute female assistant, Vulnavia.

The director, Robert Fuest, cut his teeth on the BBC series "The Avengers," and keeps all the style and humor intact.