Die Rückkehr des Dr. Phibes (1972)

Die Rückkehr des Dr. Phibes: Directed by Robert Fuest. With Vincent Price, Robert Quarry, Valli Kemp, Hugh Griffith. The vengeful doctor rises again, seeking the Scrolls of Life in an attempt to resurrect his deceased wife.

“Dr Phibes Rises Again is the sequel to the magnificent u0026#39;The Abominable Dr Phibesu0026#39;. The original film achieved cult classic status through a magnificent performance from Vincent Price as the vengeful doctor of the title, and an over the top, absurd, camp styling that set it apart from most other films in itu0026#39;s field. Both of these ingredients are present for the sequel, but it doesnu0026#39;t succeed like the first one did because thereu0026#39;s just something missing. The sequel sees Dr Phibes u0026#39;rise againu0026#39; upon the moon aligning itself in a certain way (or something) and travelling to Egypt to find a river that will grant him and his neither living, nor completely dead beloved, immortality. However, things arenu0026#39;t so simple because the scrolls that lead the way to the river have been stolen and Phibes has a contender; someone that needs to find the river just as much as he does out there in Egypt with him.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eWhatu0026#39;s basically missing from this film is assurance. The first film obviously knew what it wanted to do and so was able to do it and not let anything get in the way; this one is very muddled, and it never completely gives the impression that it knows where it wants to go. Just like the first film, this one delivers some very imaginative and very grisly methods of dispatch for itu0026#39;s lesser characters. However, these death scenes almost appear superfluous to the plot, and appear to only be there to continue what the original started, as Phibes probably could have gotten where he wanted to go without them…but Iu0026#39;m not one to complain about a film that sees a man trapped in a giant gold scorpion while being eaten to death by live ones, and another man killed via a sharp spike shooting out of the telephone, so whether theyu0026#39;re needed or not; theyu0026#39;re nice. The film also features, like the original did, a lovely camp feeling; but itu0026#39;s never on the same level as it was in u0026#39;The Abominableu0026#39;. Perhaps itu0026#39;s the move to Egypt and the low quality of the setu0026#39;s (as opposed to the grand and lavish ones of the original) whatu0026#39;s done it.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAs mentioned, Vincent Price returns to take up one of the roles that have helped cement him in the minds of his fans – Dr Phibes himself. This role, frankly, was made for Vincent Price; and he excels at playing it. It can be said that he doesnu0026#39;t do quite as good a job here, but then again; he didnu0026#39;t have as much good stuff to work with. Also making an appearance is fellow horror legend – Peter Cushing. Cushing only actually appears for all of about two minutes, but itu0026#39;s nice to see him nonetheless. Robert Fuest returns to the directoru0026#39;s chair, as youu0026#39;d probably expect; but the most notable performance in the film (other than Price) comes from Peter Jeffrey, in the role of the inept Scotland Yard inspector – Inspector Trout. Jeffrey delivers his lines with impeccable comic timing and steals every scene heu0026#39;s in. Iu0026#39;d even go as far as to say that Jeffrey is just as important a part of these two movies as Vincent Price is.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eOverall, this film isnu0026#39;t nearly as good as u0026#39;The Abominable Dr Phibesu0026#39;, but fans of the original will find lots to like and despite the fact that itu0026#39;s a lesser film and has many flaws; I love this kind of stuff so it gets a big thumbs up from me.”