10 Irresistible Movies Inspired By The Genius Of Shakespeare
3. Theatre Of Blood
Vincent Price revisits a murder revenge plot that shares familiar elements with his previous film The Abominable Dr. Phibes. However, instead of the earlier films ten plagues inspired murders here Prices Edward Lionheart performs his murders with a flair of Shakespearean gore as each death is a re-enactment of one of the Bards characters deaths.
Theatre Of Blood is as dark as it is comic. It follows Lionhearts revenge against a circle of critics who mock his skills a Shakespearean actor. It was reportedly Prices favourite film, possibly because it echoed his own sentiments for respect as a Shakespearean actor, but was usually typecast to star in the horror films by which he became influential. My favourite scene is when Lionheart sends a heart to a critic, echoing the Shylocks demanding of a pound of flesh in the Merchant of Venice.