Although Dr. Phibes Rises Again is set three years after the demented organist’s original killing spree, in reality, it was only one year after the first film that this sequel saw the light of day, and one can’t help but feel that it was a little too soon: once again, Vincent Price puts in a enjoyable turn as the skull-faced Phibes, but this time around, the movie is less focused, most likely as a result of having been rushed into production, and doesn’t allow its star to shine as brightly.
The contrived opening to the film sees Phibes resurrected from his tomb (there’s some unconvincing mumbo-jumbo about the alignment of the moon to explain away this unlikely occurrence), only to find that his home has been demolished, and that a precious papyrus scroll, necessary to locate the mystical Egyptian river where he can bring his beloved wife Victoria (Caroline Munro) back to life, has been stolen by millionaire Biederbeck (Robert Quarry).
After summoning his beautiful loyal aide Vulnavia (the scrumptious Valli Kemp), and retrieving the scroll (killing Biederbeck’s manservant in the process), Phibes travels to the land of the Pharoahs, hotly pursued by the miffed millionaire, who needs the river’s magical powers to sustain his life, and a pair of policemen, Waverley (John Cater) and Trout (Peter Jeffrey).
This shambolic and logic free sequel lurches rather uncomfortably from scene to scene, delivering the bizarre murders and crazy production design one would expect, but never quite matching the atmosphere or originality of the original film. To confuse matters further, actor Terry Thomas returns, but as a completely different character, Phibe’s assistant Vulnavia is back, but played by a different actress, and Peter Cushing and Beryl Reid, the film’s biggest names (Price aside), are wasted in throwaway cameos that add nothing to the story.
If you loved the first Phibes movie, this one will no doubt feel like a disappointment in comparison, but I reckon it’s still worth checking out, if only for Phibe’s ingenious traps (which make Jigsaw from the Saw movies look like a rank amateur), and the presence of the delectable Valli Kemp. However, for another truly brilliant dose of camp horror/comedy starring Price, my advice is to check out Theatre of Blood, which features the actor at his ghoulish best.
