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Poster for The Abominable Dr. Phibes

The Abominable Dr. Phibes

Seen it?

1971 | 95 min | Horror, Comedy

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (88% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who wants a laugh and horror fans. If you loved Little Shop of Horrors or House on Haunted Hill, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Scary.
The pace
Breezy, at 1 hr 35 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
  • Made in 1971: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

After a team of surgeons botches his beloved wife's operation, the distraught Dr. Phibes unleashes a score of Old-Testament atrocities on his enemies.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    88% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.0 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerWeak

    $3 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 64K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Robert Fuest

  • Vincent PriceDr. Anton Phibes
  • Joseph CottenDr. Vesalius
  • Hugh GriffithRabbi
  • Terry-ThomasDr. Longstreet
  • Virginia NorthVulnavia
  • Peter JeffreyInspector Trout
  • Derek GodfreyCrow
  • Norman JonesSgt. Schenley
  • John CaterSuperintendent Waverley
  • Aubrey WoodsGoldsmith