theater of blood

Art imitates life in gruesomely entertaining fashion in 1973's Theater of Blood, starring Vincent Price as failed Shakespearean actor Edward Lionheart, whose overblown performances are dismissed as the work of a professional "ham sandwich" by London's theater critics. But after his apparent suicide, Lionheart returns to claim his pound of flesh from each and every member of the critics circle, exacting his revenge in elaborate fashion by restaging the murders from the Bard's most famous plays.

On the surface, director Douglas Hickox's film isn't so different from Price's other early '70s franchise, The Abominable Dr. Phibes. But the self-reflexivity of having him play a performer whose career is disparaged as one big melodramatic sham hits awful close to the bone. After all, as beloved as the as actor was to fans of the horror genre, his theatrical style was quickly falling out of fashion (as evidenced by director Michael Reeves' open resentment about his casting in Witchfinder General). This was Price's golden opportunity to get even...and do so in his inimitable grandiose style!

Opening with a vicious reenactment of the murder in Julius Caesar, the first critic on Lionheart's list is stabbed repeatedly by his entourage of hired hobos. The police, quick to connect the dots, offer protection for the remaining scribes on the chopping block. But Lionheart's thespian skills - and considerable wardrobe - create a number of clever disguises, including a Swedish masseuse and flamboyantly coiffed hairstylist, which lure his victims into the trap.

To say more ruins much of the fun (Julie Kirgo's liner notes should definitely be read after the film), but fans of Shakespeare, soliloquies and dismemberments will walk away happy. The dream cast of supporting actors gives it the spit and polish many of Price's latter AIP productions lacked while Hickox rough yet compelling visual style puts a post-Swinging London to perfect use. Theater of Blood may never earn the accolades of the Poe series, but it's a perfect match of actor and material.

Twilight Time's 3000-copy limited edition Blu-ray is sure to be a quick sell-out as it's one of the few remaining "crown jewels" from Price's back catalog to hit hi-def. The transfer is a near-perfect combination of enhanced clarity and pleasant '70s film-stock grain, while the audio suffers from a bit of a compressed "boxy" sounding effect. It shouldn't be enough to dissuade one from a purchase though. Extras include an isolated score track, theatrical trailer and audio commentary by film historians David Del Valle and Nick Redman.