Price stars as Phibes, a doctor/concert organist presumed dead in a tragic car crash that claimed his wife's life. Phibes has returned to hunt down each of the team of doctors who failed to save her on the operation table, with the help of his beautiful, mute assistant (Virginia North).
As the local inspector (Peter Jeffrey) looks into the case he realizes Phibes is exacting revenge on the doctors using elaborate set-ups inspired by the plagues from Exodus, and is making his way towards the lead doctor (Joseph Cotten).
One of the strengths of the film is its sense of humor -- as the elaborate revenge scenes unfold, they're intercut with the investigators' bickering and bumbling. Even Phibes himself is an object of humor. Despite his morbid mission, he has enough personality, thanks to Price's performance, that we get the usual detached "above it all" air that Price brings to these proceedings. It's not as if he's too good for the movie. But it's as if he knows exactly what the audience wants, and isn't afraid to give us a wink and a nod.
But, that brings us to a weakness. Because Phibes was almost destroyed in the car wreck, he's limited in speech and expression. Thanks to a microphone contraption, we are able to hear Price's voice, but it's not the same as seeing him really chew the scenery and relish the dialogue. One of the joys of a Price performance is the way he really leans into it, as if everything is the best thing Shakespeare ever wrote. This movie keeps that aspect a little bit at arm's length, as the nature of Price's character prevents him from displaying all of his strengths.
Still, a hampered Price is better than most other leads, and PHIBES is another fun and creepy entry into his catalog.
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