Theatre of Blood

Theatre of Blood also known as Theater of Blood is a 1973 horror film starring Vincent Price as vengeful actor Edward Lionheart and Diana Rigg as his daughter Edwina. The cast includes such distinguished actors as Harry Andrews, Coral Browne, Robert Coote, Jack Hawkins, Ian Hendry, Michael Hordern, Arthur Lowe, Joan Hickson, Robert Morley, Milo OShea, Diana Dors and Dennis Price. It was directed by Douglas Hickox.

Lionheart plans to destroy his critics in a series of poetic killings, based on classic Shakespearean murderscenes. So one of them is depatched on the Ides of March, like Julius Caesar. Another has his heart cut out, referencing Shylocks pound of flesh. Some of the murders are also linked to the seven deadly sins. One critic, noted for envy, is tricked into murdering his wife in a jealous rage, like Othello, before being jailed for life. Another one, noted for drunkenness, is drowned in a cask of wine, like Clarence in Richard III.Meanwhile Lionhearts daughter Edwina has been arrested as the chief suspect, and he needs to reveal himself in order to save her. In the final drama, he orders his chief critic Devlin to give him the coveted award in order to spare his life. But he refuses, and Lionheart plans to put out his eyes with redhot daggers, as with Gloucester in King Lear. His contraption gets stuck, however, just as the police arrive to save Devlin. To thwart them, Lionheart sets fire to the theatre, and in the confusion, one of the vagrants kills Edwina with the award statuette, unwittingly casting her in the role of Cordelia. Lionheart retreats, carrying her body to the roof and delivering Lears final monologue before the roof caves in, sending him to his death. Devlin comments You must admit he did know how to make an exit. ........

Source: Wikipedia