Dr. Phibes Rises Again

Hot on the heels of last year's "Abominable", we now see the very fed up scientist (Vincent Price) emerge from the secret cryogenic chamber he has shared with his dead wife for the last three years - and he is hell bent on discovering the legendary "Scrolls of Life" so he can resurrect her. Unbeknown to him, though, his house has been demolished around him and the documents he needs to guide him to the Pharaonic tomb in Egypt have gone missing. Allied with his assistant "Vulnavia" (an alluring but really very wooden Valli Kemp) he sets off to the Nile to track them down and woe betide anyone who gets in his way - even pursuing policemen "Trout" (Peter Jeffrey) and "Waverley" (John Cater). Though it's not as good a film as the first outing for this character: the story is much more predictable and the frequently rather pathetic looking Price is a little too over-the-top at times; it's got a solid story and a supporting cast - especially the devious "Biederbeck" (Robert Quarry), Beryl Reid and the scene-stealing Terry-Thomas - that all contribute well in keeping the pace and slight sense of menace working well as the rather messy - potentially lethal - denouement looms. You won't want to be at all scarab-phobic to watch this!

Though perhaps the downright shock of the original had been missing, there is nothing wrong in this fine sequel. One of Vincent Price's best roles. Unmissable for Price enthusiasts.