| A year after The
Abominable Dr. Phibes hit the screen and was a huge hit, a
sequel was rushed into production that kept many elements of the previous
film and added a few more. MGM has finally released the original
theatrical version with the footage of Vincent Price singing Over the
Rainbow restored. It was missing from previous home video editions due to
copyright problems. Three years after Dr Phibes
killed the doctors who let his wife die on the operating table, he awakens
from his deep sleep and finds out that his home has been destroyed and his
papyrus scrolls have been stolen, which contain the whereabouts of an
serum that is hidden deep in the hot deserts of Egypt. Phibes wants to
find the drug so he can bring his beloved wife back from the afterlife. It
turns out that a scientist (Robert Quarry) took the map also in search of
the mystical serum. Dr. Phibes goes to Egypt and begins another bizarre
rash of murders this time aided by the beautiful Vulnavia.
Rises Again is very much like the original in terms of
set design but, is a much heavier on gore and black humor. Price again
turns in a great performance as the tormented Dr. Phibes and this time has
a great rival in Robert Quarry of
Count Yorga fame; to see these two on screen is lot of fun to
watch. The foreign landscapes add a lot to the film and director, Fuest
again brings his high level of skill of blending the humor and horror
elements. Dr. Phibes Rises Again is just as good if not
better than the original. |
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