Adrienne Corri, Coral Browne, Diana Rigg

A Shakespearean actor takes poetic revenge on the critics who denied him recognition.

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77% liked it

4,685 ratings

Critics

95% liked it

22 critics

R, 1 hr. 44 min.

Directed by: Douglas Hickox, Jim Clark

Release Date: April 5, 1973

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DVD Release Date: August 28, 2001

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Flixster Reviews (233)


  • December 30, 2008
    This is how middle schoolers should be taught Shakespeare, and what every aspiring critic should consider before definitively choosing criticism as their profession.

    For those of us who haven't yet digested the Bard's full portfolio, the film makes clear which murder comes from ...( read more)which play. Vincent Price plays an exclusively Shakespearean actor, Edward Lionheart, who seeks revenge on the circle of critics who lambasted his life's work. Lionheart enlists the aid of a group of tramps and employs them as both his theatre troupe and conspirators in serial murder.

    This movie is so camp and hilarious that I don't care that none of the special effects were jazzy enough to be properly filmed (cuts and obstructions are utilized in every murder scene). My favorite critic is the fat one with the two white poodles (and he gets his in a recreation of my favorite scene from Titus). I love the Merchant of Venice revision which allows Shylock to get his pound of flesh. I LOVE Price's Richard III, and the fun there was guessing which murder from the play would be chosen for the critic's death (we're put out of guessing really quickly).
    SO much campy fun to be had here.
  • November 24, 2008
    Not one of my favorite Price films, but it is enjoyable. (aren't they all for various reasons?)
    No one but Price could have pulled this off.
  • February 29, 2008
    So basically, London police are worthless; Vincent Price is a Highlander; homeless are versatile; and Critics are detached, witty and cannot be bothered with dead bodies. I knew about the hippie. "Basin ...basin!"
  • September 13, 2006
    A clever script and the presence of Diana Rigg make this one a must see.
  • May 23, 2008
    Vincent Price is a god! And the more humorous horror always appealed.
  • October 28, 2009
    Canned ham all around as Vincent Price does away w/ his critics one by one in Shakespearean fashion even serving up a couple cooked poodles. Deliciously campy but maybe a little long. Vincent Price is melodramatic even in death..twice
  • September 23, 2009
    Vincent Price is fantastic as Lionheart. A psychpathic actor obsessed with Shakespeare.
  • July 25, 2009
    I loved this movie when I was little...It is impossible to capture the coolness of this movie nowadays....sniff
  • July 22, 2009
    El terror de los criticos de cine



    http://betomoviesyelcine.blogspot.com/2009/07/1973-reino-unido.html
  • March 7, 2009
    Not one of my favorite vincent movies.

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  • In which movie does Vincent Price disguise himself as a masseur, a hairdresser and a TV chef? (I'm afraid you'll have to settle for the American spelling.)  Answer »

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