The Abominable Dr. Phibes

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The Abominable Dr. Phibes

PG-13

1971

1h 33m

Horror

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

38 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

In a desperate attempt to reach his ill wife, organist Anton Phibes (Vincent Price) is horrifically disfigured in a car accident and presumed dead. When he learns that his wife died during an operation, Phibes blames her surgeons and plots an elaborate revenge to punish them for their incompetence. With the help of a mute assistant (Virginia North), Phibes creates a mask resembling his own face and murders the surgeons one by one using bizarre methods inspired by the biblical plagues.

Critics Consensus

The Abominable Dr. Phibes juggles horror and humor, but under the picture's campy façade, there's genuine pathos brought poignantly to life through Price's performance.

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David Robinson

Financial Times

May 14, 2020

Mr. Fuest makes very tolerable use of bis means: added to which he has the overwhelming advantage of Vincent Price as the Abominable Doctor.

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Margaret Hinxman

Daily Telegraph (UK)

May 14, 2020

It has, incidentally, a really well thought out revenge plot, directed by Robert Fuest with tons more style and assurance than he brought to Wuthering Heights.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Oct 19, 2016

A former art director, Fuest gives the film a preposterously lush, Ken Russell-ish look. Highly enjoyable.

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Rosalie Kicks

MovieJawn

Jun 19, 2024

3.75/4

I believe this specific film was especially made for me.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Apr 23, 2022

3/4

There's plenty of innovation on display, to say nothing of ample amounts of effective humor.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Aug 27, 2020

9/10

The climax is so dementedly intriguing, perfectly bringing together all the inventive weirdness before it, that it boldly caps off an unforgettable masterwork of the macabre.

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Craig B

@Boundsy Oct 5, 2026

I remember watching The Abominable Dr Phibes in my younger years... it's probably been 40 years since I last watched this horror gem. The passing of time is certainly one of the great 'critics' of a film. In this case, the 55 years that have passed have in no way diminished the quality of the movie, nor the power of Vincent Price's sterling performance. A must see for all horror fans.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 10, 2026

The Abominable Dr. Phibes = a *4* star Movie...

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Homu L

@AkemiLord May 3, 2026

Fantastic movie. I really enjoyed watching this. Great film!

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Harry H.

@Movies10 Nov 4, 2025

I can't say my thoughts on this movie cause Rotten Tomatoes won't let me.

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Lau S

@LaurainSilentill Jul 29, 2025

I love this horror movie! Damn great!

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CodyZamboni Z

@CodyZamboni Nov 10, 2024

Amusing, Fast paced, Campy, horror comedy, Vincent Price brings menace and style to the title role, Taking his revenge on doctors who didn’t save his wife, Methods of execution, taken from Exodus, are outrageous and disturbing, With one contraption reminding me of the Saw movies, The supporting cast give their all, Also noteworthy - the flamboyant production design,

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Synopsis

In a desperate attempt to reach his ill wife, organist Anton Phibes (Vincent Price) is horrifically disfigured in a car accident and presumed dead. When he learns that his wife died during an operation, Phibes blames her surgeons and plots an elaborate revenge to punish them for their incompetence. With the help of a mute assistant (Virginia North), Phibes creates a mask resembling his own face and murders the surgeons one by one using bizarre methods inspired by the biblical plagues.

Director: Robert Fuest
Producer: Louis M. Heyward, Ronald Dunas
Screenwriter: James Whiton, William Goldstein
Distributor: Live Video, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Image Entertainment Inc., Orion Pictures, American International Pictures, Vestron Video, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corp., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: American International Pictures (AIP)
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Horror, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 18, 1971, Original
Release Date (DVD): Feb 20, 2001
Runtime: 1h 33m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Flat (1.85:1)

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