Dr. Phibes Rises Again (1972) (Amazon Link)

Director Robert Fuest

Starring Vincent Price, Robert Quarry

Brian’s Rating3/5

Listen to the full review in Horror Bulletin Podcast #6

After embalming himself and accepting the tenth curse, that of darkness, Dr. Phibes died at the end of the first film. Or did he?

Nope. As the credit roll in this sequel, three years have passed, and the machinery reverses itself, in-embalming Dr. Phibes (don’t think to hard about that). Phibes summons Vulnavia, and they are off to Egypt to find the River of Life and restore still-dead Victoria to her former glory.

Of course, they aren’t alone. Beiderback, a mysterious man with an interest in eternal life, is also searching the river. Scotland Yard is still on the case, and they follow these competitors all the way to the secret tunnels in Egypt where the magic river lies.

Of course it wouldn’t be any fun if Phibes didn’t kill a bunch of people in over-the-top, convoluted Rube-Goldberg ways. He has plenty of opportunities during their travels.

This movie is fun, but it pales in comparison to the first one. It seems rushed and many of the deaths serve no purpose. Revenge was the whole point of the first movie, but here Phibes just kills for the fun of it. Some of the devices he uses would literally require trucks to move, and most of the action takes place in the Egyptian desert of 1928, where there aren’t any roads or electrical outlets. Again, don’t think too hard on this one.

If you liked the first movie, this is a must-see, but keep your expectations in check, as this is not as much fun as the original.