Oh man … as I set this movie up to record, remembering that I loved it the first time I saw it, I was racking my brains as to “why then oh why” that was. I thought I’d have an old review to work with, but I don’t – I guess I was feeling a little wordless that day. I thought I’d at least remember what it was at some point during the movie – but it took me right until the end, at which point it hit me all over again, those last few seconds, Phibes sailing off, singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” his nemesis aging at the gate. Just a wonderful ending, and I’m sure I won’t forget it again.

Add Vincent Price’s performance, the sumptous score, the grisly deaths (I didn’t really put much thought into following Final Destination 3 with this, but FYI, they make a cute couple), and some really cheeky comedy ([re: a guy reduced to a skeleton] “He has nothing to say, sir.” [on the guy found inside a bottle] “Corked?”), and that production design! I just convinced myself to be crazy and give this 4 stars ‘cos I find these movies just wonderful in so many ways.

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