Title: Dr. Phibes Rises Again! (1972)

Studio: MGM Home Video

Rating:'PG'

Running Time: 1 hour 29 Minutes

Format(s): Anamorphic Widescreen

Extras: Original Trailer

Directed By: Robert Fuest

Starring: Vincent Price, Robert Quarry, Valli Kemp

Reviewed by: Joe O'Leary

You've got to hand it to MGM-not only did they release The Abominable Dr. Phibes on DVD, but they also released the sequel Dr. Phibes Rises Again on the same day! For Phibes fans, this has all the makings of a homemade Saturday afternoon "Creature Double Feature!" Any time a cult classic like this gets released on DVD horror fans should rejoice, but as with the first film, I wondered if Dr. Phibes Rises Again would get a good looking transfer onto DVD, or would it look like someone used the source print as a dust rag...

The plot to Rises Again! is even more over the top and campier than the first. Three years after the events in the first film, Phibes is resurrected, and with the trusty Vulnavia at his side, begins a new quest: a voyage to Egypt, where he will take the body of his beloved wife down the secret River of Life in order to revive her. There is one problem, however. Darius Biederbeck is also taking an expedition to find the River of Life, for mysterious reasons of his own. Of course, Phibes goes to hideously outrageous ends to stop Biederbeck and his men, but has Phibes met his match?

Rises Again! is a campier than the original, but it still works. Price is again at his flamboyant best, and he looks to be having a great time. Virginia North was pregnant at the time, so Valli Kemp steps in as Vulnavia, and plays the icy henchwoman perfectly, without going too over the top. Peter Jeffrey and John Cater return as Inspector Trout and his boss Waverley, and provide genuine laughs to the procedings. Robert Quarry turns in a great performance as Darius Biederbeck, Phibes arch nemesis. Just as ruthless as Phibes in getting what he wants, Biederbeck is the perfect challenge for Phibes.

This time out Robert Fuest is not only the director but also the writer. His love for the bizarre world of Phibes shows, with outlandish murders (with one particularly nasty scene involving scorpions) and snappy dialogue riddled with Shakespearian quotes. As in the first film, the set designs by Brian Eatwell are as fun to watch as the action. This time he blends his 1920's art deco sets with ancient Egyptian designs. Phibes' Egyptian lair is even wilder than his London pad. In fact, everything in this sequel pushes the limits a bit more than the first, including the bizarre murders (which I know many reviews enjoy giving away, but I feel it's more fun not knowing how Phibes is going to off his victims, so I won't spoil any for you).

The DVD print of Rises Again! didn't fare as well as the first, but in places it's still a damn fine print! Much better than I expected. The widescreen presentation is fantastic, and much appreciated from MGM. The BEST part for Phibes fans, however, is the restoration of a dance scene between Phibes and Vulnavia and Price singing "Over the Rainbow" during the ending credits! These two scenes were cut from previous VHS and laserdisc incarnations due to copyright issues, but not here! Again, MAJOR kudos to MGM for not releasing a cut up, full screen version.

The only extra is the original trailer, but I'm not sure any other material exists. As with the first film, the DVD retails between $9.99 and $15.00, so it's a no brainer for fans of the film--this is the best way to view the complete uncut version of Dr. Phibes Rises Again!. For non fans, watch the first movie, and if you enjoy the bloody highjinx, then you've got to see the wild sequel. Rumor has it a third installment was planned, where Phibes would come face to face with Hitler, but the original crew of Price and Fuest just couldn't get it together. Damn, maybe the Cohen brothers or Tim Burton could tackle that one...