Circus of Horrors

One of my first "horror" films. As a callow youth I saw this in my local cinema and was most impressed. With the thrills, the circus, the glorious women, the song by Gary Mills, and Anton Diffring's accent. That's what I still like about this film today, some 7 or 8 viewings and around 60 years later. It helps if you still remember, and still get enjoyment from, circuses. Let's take the actresse for granted. Yvonnes Monlaur and Romain, Erica Remberg, Vanda Hudson, and jane Hylton. Diffring somehow holds the film together, which is a feat, as the script leaves a lot to be desired. The film moves along a fair old pace, still has some scares, and whilst I acknowledge it is by no means a classic, or to everyone's taste, it still rings all my bells. Good transfer, though not that much improvment (through my untrained eye) to my DVD. BUT...this has good English subtitles, so necessary for my wife. Extras not seen by me. A trip down memory lane for me. Recomended

*contains spoilersWhen Dr Rossiter [Anton Diffring] botches a facial surgery, he escapes to France with brother and sister, Martin and Angela [Kenneth Griffith, Jane Hylton], changing his name to Dr Schuler. Keen to resume his plastic surgery, he joins a dilapidated circus owned by Vanet [Donald Pleasance] who happens to have a daughter Nicole, scarred during the war. Vanet is quickly killed by a bear while drunk and Schuler assumes ownership of the circus expanding its reputation and success. Using the circus as a front for his surgery - why not just set up a surgery practice under a different name? - he conducts his experiments forcing his guinea pigs to carry on working in the circus. Many are lawbreakers which would mean, 'Circus of Criminals' would be a more appropriate name for the film. Fast forward ten years [to 1957?] and Martin and Angela look no different - maybe, Schuler is practicing on them too - but Nicole Vanet [Euro-babe, Yvonne Monlaur] is now, a grown woman performing as an act in the circus. When the circus performers start dying suspiciously - Schuler, Martin and Angela are killing them to preserve their dark secret - the circus earns itself the nickname, 'the jinx circus'. Moving the circus to England, Schuler hopes to unveil Melina [Yvonne Romain] in his 'Temple of Beauty' and then, reveal himself as Rossiter, the plastic surgery genius. However, the numerous 'accidental' deaths have alerted the English police and Inspector Ames [Conrad Phillips] posing as a 'true-crime' journalist begins his unorthodox investigation by basically, seducing the women including, Nicole and Elissa [Erika Remberg]. Everything comes to a head when his first victim visits the circus and Schuler gets a little too close to the gorilla he torments.Directed by Sidney Hayers [Night of the Eagle], it is part of an unofficial trilogy of Anglo-Amalgamated horror movies that began with 'Peeping Tom' and 'Horrors of the Black Museum' [both 1959]. Lensed by the legendary, Douglas Slocombe [Raiders of the Lost Ark] and shot at Billy Smart's circus, it was written by George Baxt and according to him, they needed a horror film set in a circus with, 'beautiful girls with bit t*ts whenever possible.' [Taken from 'English Gothic' by Jonathan Rigby]. The somewhat annoying theme that runs through the film is, 'Look for a Star', written by Tony Hatch and performed by forgettable, early sixties, pop-act, Garry Mills. This being a cheapo production, France is represented by Clapham Common.Starring, German refugee, Anton Diffring in his two film stint as a leading man in lowish-budget, British horror - the other being, Hammer's, 'The Man Who Could Cheat Death' [1959] - the film is populated with a great many British character actors whose faces you know but whose names you don't. For some reason - maybe, it was his Teutonic iciness - Diffring ended his career where it began, playing N@zi generals/soldiers/officers/guards. It's a pity because he's really good in this and totally believable as an unhinged surgeon who enjoys playing God. The rest of the cast are great too especially sycophantic lackey, Griffith [who knows he's joined at the hip with Schuler and can't escape] and the love-struck, Hylton as the immoral assistants and Erika Remberg as a grifting, ex-prostitute. Look out for Kenny Baker as a clown and another German refugee, Walter Gotell as a suitor.The newly restored blu-ray by Studio Canal looks absolutely stunning with its gaudy colours and 'Kensington gore' popping off the screen. The image is nigh on perfect although the second unit footage of the faces at the circus is somewhat inferior to the rest. The audio is more than acceptable. There are also interviews with the knowledgeable critic and author, Kim Newman who says the film is 'colourful and lurid' and DJ, Stuart Maconie who describes it as 'original and creepy' and compares it to what Mario Bava was doing in Italy a few years later. Trailer. English subtitles.

I have always loved this film and is a good addition to the Brittish Horror genre that is not Hammer. Anton Diffring is great as the cruel Dr. as are some of the female characters. There is so much to enjoy in this film, the period of the film itself, Anton Diffring's commitment to the role, the bright colours, the glamour and from a camp piont of view some of the 'men in animal suits', oh and don't forget the song 'Reach For The Stars' which became a hit in a few countries.As for the new transfer, I did expect a bit more and the sound on some of the dialogue tends to be a bit hissy on my veiwing. I compared it to my old USA DVD and the sound was fine. The extras are ok, mostly interviews about the genre but I would have liked more about the actual film. A short photo gallery and a trailer is it. If you like this film, it is an upgrade, if you love it, they could have done more, a booklet maybe and a animated menu? My old DVD has a great animated menu.

Despite the title this is not a horror film for those brought up on the slasher flicks of the 70s onwards. It is a well-plotted and very watchable British thriller. The male cast includes some well-known names of the era,including a young Donald Pleasence with hair. The female cast is not so well-known though very glamorous and at times quite scantily-clad.

This film is a real cracker of sinister intent, style and even nostalgic romanticism. Superb acting and great cast and should be studied at University level

Excellent restoration really pleased 👍

not great but alright circus thriller

Excellent eastmancolour picture and sound great extras brilliant bluray release from studio canal.