Shocktober 2025 - Dr. Phibes Rises Again (1972)
“The incredible legends of the abominable Dr. Phibes began a few short years ago, all of them unfortunately true!” – Opening narration
Up to this point in 1972, American International had depended heavily on two characters to keep the boat afloat. There was Count Yorga played by Robert Quarry, and Dr Anton Phibes played by Vincent Price. As I’ve previously mentioned, they didn’t get along off-camera – and this was the first time the actors would appear together in a film. Unfortunately, not in a Phibes/Yorga crossover – though that had been suggested as a future film which never came to fruition.
Interesting as it is to see them both together, I can’t help but notice the huge gap between the acting skills of the actors. Price could phone in his performance and still run rings around Quarry. It just reinforces my notion that Yorga played by Price would be an immeasurably better character.
If you recall, when we last saw Phibes, he had placed himself in suspended animation and was resting peacefully beside his deceased wife Victoria (an uncredited Caroline Munro) and their sarcophagus had descended to a hiding place under Phibes’ house until it was time for him to rise once more. And rise he does, as the moon aligns with the planets in a certain way that hasn’t happened for 2000 years. This triggers the mechanism that raises the sarcophagus, while reviving Phibes. His plan this time? As Phibes himself tells his assistant the prone Victoria; “Victoria, for three years I have rested by your side. Now the Moon has risen to the exact position which last occurred 2,000 years ago, signalling the opening of this crypt, and the beginning of our greatest adventure. We shall embark to the land of Egypt, where years ago I did prepare for us a wondrous shrine. I shall search for the River of Life, which holds the key to resurrection for you and eternal life for both of us.”
Summoning his faithful assistant Vulnavia (Valli Kemp) to his side he sets about his plan.
(Whoa – hold it right there. Vulnavia? She was killed at the end of The Abominable Dr. Phibes. Yep, she was. Originally Phibes was going to have a new assistant, but the producers decided that Vulnavia could come back without explanation. Compounding the mess is that original actress Virginia North was unavailable, so they cast the 1970 Miss Australia in the role instead.)
Failing to notice that Vulnavia looks completely different is the least of Phibes’ problems. Ascending from his underground hideout, he discovers his house has been demolished to rubble and the papyrus map he needs in order to find the river of life is missing from the safe. Only one person would steal it. Another interested in eternal life, Darrus Biederbeck (Robert Quarry) who has lived for centuries by drinking a special elixir.
The chase is on!
Phibes retrieves his map, after killing Biederbeck’s manservant with the use of clockwork snakes and a phone which drives a steel spike in one ear, out the other. On to Egypt – or ore accurately, Ibiza, standing in for Egypt, where Phibes has another of his hideouts concealed in an ancient temple inside a mountain through which will flow the river of life. But not before killing Biederbeck’s associate who discovers Victoria’s preserved body in the hold of the ocean liner taking them all to Egypt and throwing him overboard in a giant gin bottle.
It's the discovery of this body, washed ashore in Southampton that brings the case to the attention of Scotland Yard’s finest (who failed to catch Phibes last time) Inspector Trout (Peter Jeffrey) and Superintendent Waverley (John Cater). The discovery that some unusual items being taken aboard the ship, like clockwork musicians, an organ and a description of Vulnavia are enough. As Trout says; “Oh, it's Phibes, all right, sir... and he always comes back.”
Biederbeck conducts an archaeological dig in the mountain, discovering a sarcophagus, which contains the key to the gates which will allow entry to the river of life. Phibes has to resort to his usual ingenuity to start killing members of Biederbeck’s party, including a giant screw press, a giant fan to create a sandstorm, and his pet falcon.
Ultimately it comes down to stand-off. Biederbeck has the key, Phibes has Biederbeck’s lover, Diana (Fiona Lewis) in a death trap where she’ll drown. Reluctantly, Biederbeck gives up the key and Fiona is released. As Phibes rows down the river of life with his beloved Victoria, towards her resurrection and his immortality, joined by Vulnavia singing “Somewhere over the Rainbow” Biederbeck pleads to be allowed to come with them, and slowly ages to dust.
Sadly, that was the last we’d see of Phibes. As well as a meeting with Yorga, future suggested but unrealised Phibes titles were “The Brides of Dr. Phibes” and “The Seven Fates of Dr. Phibes”.