Theater of Blood (1973)

"You thought me slain? Lionheart is immortal!" - Lioneheart

An actor takes revenge against the critics that have mocked him.
Starring: Vincent Price, Diana Rigg, Ian Hendry, Milo O'Shea

Link to IMDB

Lionheart

The city of London is shocked when a popular theater critic is found violently murdered, but they would be even more shocked if they knew who the killer was. Edward Lionheart (Price) used to be the busiest stage actor in London, always getting the lead roles in Shakespearean productions, but despite his work the critics always hated him. Lionheart is now presumed dead after he attempted suicide a year earlier, but he's actually been hiding in an abandoned theater, living with hobos and planning his murderous revenge against the people he thinks ruined his life.
Inspector Boot is investigating the critic's death, and he warns all of the Critic Circle to be on high alert for anyone dangerous. One critic, Mr. Devlin, begins to suspect that perhaps Lionheart is responsible but no one believes him. Even Lionheart's daughter, Edwina, gets unwillingly pulled into the story, and she's appalled that Devlin can't let her dead father rest.
Being a master of disguises, Lionheart always finds a way to lure his targets to their doom and so the body count keeps rising. He isn't content with simple murder though, instead each death is an elaborate production inspired by the violence in Shakespeare's plays.

"You begin to resent an actor if you always have to give him bad notices." - Devlin

To no ones surprise, Vincent Price is excellent and electrifying. Not only does he get to play a tragic killer, he also has plenty of eloquent and macabre monologues to deliver. The movie also has a dark sense of humour, which fits perfectly alongside Price's eerie and melodramatic wit.
Unfortunately, the plot doesn't do much for the first half and it can get dull. People are often being killed, yes, but some of the scenes of Lionheart ranting are drawn out for an extended time. It's hard to complain when it's Vincent Price on screen, but it often brings the story to a standstill.

Inspector Boot and Devlin

The second half advances the plot as Devlin gets proof that Lionheart is alive, and the police begin their hunt for him. Lionheart is always one step ahead though, and with help from a mysterious partner he has planned his revenge to be a long game.
Gruesome, absurd and intelligent, this thriller has a bit of everything and it's all done with style. It's not exceptionally gory but the killings still have a great amount of detail and blood. Even though it can get a bit long-winded at times, it remains a classic example of traditional horror and twisted humour delivered correctly.

Be sure not to miss:
- Your only chance to see Vincent Price portray an afro-adorned gay hairdresser! Most of the costumes and disguises he wears are quite fun.
- What is that purple liquid the hobos are always drinking? I'm assuming Denatured alcohol. Must be a British thing.

Internet review:
"A film that stays long in the memory and can be watched over and over again." - The Welsh Raging Bull

Should I watch it?
It's slow at times, but still a classic.

Where can I find it?
Links here.

Theater of Blood gets...