Watch horror Movies for free with Amazon Prime

The Abominable Dr. Phibes

1971
8
Director: 
Robert Fuest

SYNOPSIS: 

A group of surgeons had operated on the beloved wife of Dr. Phibes, abandoning her in the operating room because she was believed to be dead. Driven mad by grief, the man prepares a fatal recipe to carry out his revenge.

REVIEW: 

The Abominable Dr. Phibes, directed by Robert Fuest, is a jewel of British horror cinema that combines gothic, grotesque and black humor in a fascinating and macabre mix. Played by a charismatic Vincent Price, the film tells the story of the eccentric and brilliant Dr. Anton Phibes' revenge against the doctors he believes are responsible for his wife's death.

The plot develops as a series of murders inspired by the plagues of Egypt, an idea as ingenious as it is disturbing, which gives life to visually surprising sequences. The baroque aesthetic, with rich sets and saturated colors, creates a dreamlike and surreal atmosphere that recalls expressionist cinema and art deco. Making it all the more fascinating is the soundtrack, which alternates organ music with jazz motifs, contributing to the sinister elegance of the film.

Vincent Price, despite acting almost exclusively with the expressiveness of his face, gives one of his most memorable performances. His Dr. Phibes is a tragic villain, both frightening and melancholic, who inspires a strange form of empathy despite his brutality.

A one-of-a-kind film, The Abominable Dr. Phibes is a perfect example of auteur horror, capable of mixing cruelty and irony with an extraordinary aesthetic taste. A must-see for lovers of cult cinema.

SIMILAR MOVIES REVIEWS

OTHER MOVIES REVIEWS

only lovers left alive

2013

If you are fascinated by the world of vampires, this extraordinary dark film is an essential viewing. The film tells the immortal love story between Adam and Eve, masterfully played by Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton. Their afterlife is immersed in a decadent and melancholic atmosphere, where the beauty of art and knowledge clashes with the decadence of contemporary society. With a refined gothic aesthetic and a touch of biting irony, the film is configured as a poetic reflection on the crisis of modern humanity, incapable of preserving the wonders that it has been... Read More

Strait-Jacket

1964

The film we are talking about is based on a story by the writer Robert Bloch, author of the famous horror masterpiece Psycho, a name that immediately evokes shivers and uneasiness. This film, however, is not supported by a particularly complex plot or by special effects that lift the skin, but rather by the extraordinary talent of the leading actress, Joan Crawford. In one of her last performances, Crawford stands as a central and dominant figure, a colossus of emotions that manages to convey to the viewer every single thrill, every anguish, every delirium that pervades... Read More

The Hand

1981

A young Oliver Stone directs his second film, once again in the horror genre, in which the protagonist is an artist who faces a progressive psychotic deterioration, which will lead him to increasingly confront his dark side. Some moments are visually powerful, such as the use of black and white in the dream sequences; the violent scenes are well shot and satisfy fans of the genre. The whole thing is guided by the mastery of Michael Caine, who in this role can fully express his "histrionics", still managing to make it effective. The plot, although rather simple and at... Read More

The Last Man on Earth

1964

The film, based on the famous novel by Richard Matheson I Am Legend, manages to recreate the atmosphere of the book well, despite the limited budget. The Italian director Ubaldo Ragona does a better job than the more famous Boris Sagal, who made The Omega Man a few years later. This is probably due to the fact that Vincent Price, very comfortable in an Italian co-production, surpasses the talented Charlton Heston. With his usual theatricality, Price offers a performance reminiscent of silent films, particularly effective in the part where he is alone, for half the film.... Read More

Repulsion

1965

The film is a thriller full of tension, especially in the scenes where the protagonist experiences hallucinations. The horror atmosphere, with a touch of surrealism, is really intense. Although it may seem crude, this is intended by the director, who wants to show the harsh reality of the protagonist's life. The story tells of a woman in crisis, who no longer feels comfortable with the old values of society. This leads her to confront a harsh and chauvinistic reality, where she feels the weight of being a woman. The protagonist is alienated and desperate, aware that the... Read More