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I don't understand the reviewer's comment about Vulnavia's demise. It's been quite a while, but I think Phibes said something like "you have done well, Vulnavia- we'll see you on the other side." For all we know she lived for another 50 years and was a great-grandmother of 12.

From what I've heard, this wasn't supposed to be the final Phibes movie. A third one was planned, and a screenplay was even written. But for some reason, the project was cancelled.

I've also heard that copies of this third screenplay are floating around. Would love to get my hands on one.

The third film, acc. to an old Famous Monsters of Filmland issue, was titled PHIBES RESURRECTUS.  I've heard of other scripts floating around (incl BRIDE OF PHIBES), but AFAIK only RESURRECTUS was penned by William Goldstein, who wrote the first one (and the novelizations for both).

I can't stress that last fact enough.  PHIBES RISES AGAIN wasn't penned by Goldstein, and this perhaps is the reason why some (myself included) have trouble with it, in comparison to ABOMINABLE.  I was surprised to read the Bad Movie Report's review, because [except for his vociferous hatred) he eched every complaint I've ever had about the film.  

The one complaint he DOESN'T raise is the lack of Phibes' real face in this film.  Oh sure, we get to see it buried up to the nostrils in sand, and then a brief side-shot as he dusts himself off, but c'mon!!  This is freakin' skin-ripped-from-his-face Phibes!  Besides the death of his wife, and the organ, the face practically defines the character.  Giving it a throwaway shot in this film is, well, abominable :)

But, you know, having Phibes' "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" solo restored for the DVD release makes it all worth it!

Again, not one of my favorites, but, again there are compensating factors. Namely, Hugh Griffith. He of the bushy eyebrows. Perhaps, best known for playing the sheik in "Ben Hur," I will always remember him fondly as the magistrate in "Oliver" and King Louis in "Start the Revolution without Me." Maybe the original is superior to the sequel, but I always thought the sequel had the better cast. Not only are Vincent Price, Hugh Griffith, and Terry-Thomas back from the original, but Peter Cushing, Beryl Reid, and Robert Quarry, who twice played Count Yorga, are in the sequel as well. Enjoy

I like Rises Again much better than the original. It was funnier, The heroes were more sympathetic, and the ending was happy and ambiguous. Abominable just comes off as a second rate Theatre of Blood, with less memorable murders.

In some ways, this was even better than the original Phibes. For one thing, we are given a formidable opponent for Phibes in Biederbeck, a rich fortune hunter, who is much older than he appears to be. He is 100. The suspense is kept at a fluid even pace, and the actors are in fine form. Another of Price's triumphs.

I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!! I am so glad that I found the wav file of Vincent Price singing "somewhere over the rainbow"! I bought both phibes movies for $10.00 on tape in some Vincent Price series of tapes, and when I watched Phibes rises Again- he didn't sing the song!! That wrecked the whole feeling for me. I remember when I was a kid, that Phibes sang that song when his wife was resurrected- while the other poor sap whithers into a mess.
    I always thought it was good and creepy how Phibes sang at the end... as he accomplished his dream of being with Victoria again, his ruthless methods were all but forgotten in his bliss.
    And what sucked the most about those tapes I got, was the 1/2 hours of ads for all of the Vincent Price movies...
Including Phibes- and they give away every death in the previews before you even see it. I have seen the movies before... but damn! I want to watch the killing with a plot attached please! Thanks alot!!

"The Abominable Dr. Phibes" is my favorite movie of all time.I was lucky enough to see it on the big screen when I  was 12 years old(1976)on a double bill with "Food of the Gods".I love "Dr. Phibes Rises Again",as well,but I think the first one is the best.I also remember seeing the announcement for"Phibes Resurrectus" in Famous Monsters of Filmland.What a shame that us Phibes fans did not get another installment.I think that both of the Phibes films are Vincent Price's finest hour.If I was going to be stranded on a desert island and could only take 4 movies with me,it would have to be"The Abominable Dr. Phibes","The Exorcist","Jaws" and "Dolemite".I think it is time for a high-tech,CGI remake of Phibes with Christopher Walken as Phibes.They should show the car crash that destroyed his face.Thanks,SCOTT MARDIS

As much as I like the first film, I like this even more.  The contest between two semi-supernatural characters and the more exotic setting help, and the deaths are still ingenious (if wildly improbable - the car lighter springs to mind).  The "Over the Rainbow" ending is a great way to finish this series.  I hope Phibes found what he was looking for in that tomb.  I do wish that Biederbeck could have also found a way to survive after all.  He was a sympathetic character, unlike the other Phibes-fodder.

Note to self - Never let anyone manuever you into sitting on a scorpion statue no matter how good-looking they are.  OUCH and double OUCH!

Oh, and I've to agree with Scott above, Christopher Walken would be AWESOME in a new Phibes movie (please not a remake).

Can some one tell me how a small group of people are able to carry large equiptment around a dessert? (giant fans, special crushing boxes etc)? :)

I've never seen the first film in full, but I know enough about it to really look forward to viewing it.

About this movie, I REALLY loved it.  When I read about a sequel, I couldn't wait.  Then, lo and behold, it was on FLIX!

Sadly, I missed the ending, since I had the bad luck of watching it around my mother.  Stupid blood relations!

But, fear not, I shall expose my friends to this movie series and let them now how you set up a vice around someone w/o waking them!

Dr. Phibes rises again... as well as Terry-Thomas, whose blood was sucked out by the wicked doctor in the first movie and left dead, his veins dry as a fallen leaf! Not only God can resurrect people: filmakers as well!

I saw this film before I saw Abominable, and while the original is still one of Price's best, I enjoyed this one a lot more. In particular, I liked the fact that Phibes wins, and if an inlay photo from the DVD is to be believed, Victoria rose again as well. I didn't like Beiderbeck too much, but in the end he did the right thing by saving Diana's life. And Trout and Waverly were very funny comic relief. One of the best B-movies ever.

This one had me and my friends screaming "BIEDERBECK! NEW LIFE!" all the time. Absolutely awesome.

I thought the part with the sousaphone was great.

Not as good as the first film but a  very  enjoyable movie .How the hell did Vulnavia come back after her acid bath in the first movie .They didn't give any reason for her comming back which is one of the biggest flaws in this movie .Boa Constrictors are not poisonus so how could the bite of one kill you they could of used some other specie of snake Boa Constrictors are too well known to pass off as poisonus snakes.Flaws and all I give it 4 stars.

As to how Vulnavia came back: i was always under the impression she was some kind of robot, like the clockwork musicians.(After all, we never hear her speak in either film, and Phibes is planning to ressurect his wife, so it,s not like he's looking for a girlfriend...)

Thank you zorro for answering my question about Vulnavia's ressurection it was very logical.

"Dr Phibes Rises Again" wav file.

This is what you say he says, but it isn't quite what he says when he says it.

Trout: "But no one's ever gotten the better of Phibes sir. To our uncertain knowledge he's already killed fifteen men. You can't hope to win!"

He actually says, "got" not "gotten"
No such word as gotten.
I know this to be true because we invented the English language.

wot bad inglish - eye am shoked.

Ok, you guys have reviewed both Dr. Phibes movies and even the Tingler. So when are you guys review Theatre of Blood? :hot: :buggedout: :drink:

I do have it in my collection, but do not know when it will be reviewed.  "Comedy of Terrors" is likely to be my next Vincent Price film that is reviewed.

That is a good choice for your next review, Andrew. While not the best film for any of them, where else can you see a film with these four--Basil Rathbone, Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, and Boris Karloff--plus Joe. E. Brown in it.

Looks like the third movie is on its way with Malcolm McDowell in the title role.