This is an interesting thread and whilst I seem to be in the minority in preferring Theatre to Phibes I can understand other members preferences.
For the last few years I've been hunting down British films that show the country I grew up in.
I also liked the comments about Shakespeare. Despite the image of English schools, I'd never studied WS till I went off to night school in my late twenties.
For me
Phibes is a comedy with a lot of horrific elements, but for me it drags more, and it's style over content. Great style admittedly.
Theatre is a horror film which is v funny. Just my opinion
Russ