Circus of Horrors

There is something curiously enjoyable about this film that may be a little hard to define, and I found myself losing track of time when watching it. The title is perhaps a little ambiguous, as it's certainly not a horror film with lurking monsters. But there are some very dark goings on, jealous rivalries and preservation of secrets in Dr Schuler's Circus. The production partnership of Julian Wintle, Leslie Parkyn and director Sidney Hayers, collaborated on a number of atmospheric British B's with a psychologically disturbing undertone, (Night Of The Eagle is a good example) so It's not surprising they score well here. Add to that the rich Eastmancolour, and excellent camera work from Director of photography,Douglas Slocombe, makes this an appealing cinematic viewing. Studio Canal's transfer does it all justice, and is certainly one of the best Blu-ray transfers that I've seen from them. While it's Diffring's performance of a brilliant but flawed mind used to wrong purpose, that carries through on the dark undertones of this film, overall I think the casting is reliable, and the interplay between the characters is a key point in this film. Kenneth Griffith gives a subtle performance as Schuler's assistant, Martin, who carries out his master's orders with ruthless efficiency. Perhaps there is a subtle hint of conscience, or maybe it's just self preservation, but he's hooked. There is some strong European glamour from the likes of Yvonne Monlaur, Erika Remberg and Yvonne Romain, who at times were probably on the limits of acceptability for 1960 for being scantily, but stylishly dressed. But it's nice to see that they are not just cast as window dressing, they can act, and their characters form an integral part of the story The use of Billy Smart's circus makes an excellent setting for the film, and is a window on a time gone by. There are some enjoyably over the top moments, including the Gorilla and Bear, which don't take too much scrutiny to see that they are men in costume The climax to the film is a crazy five minute run around through the circus tents and caravans. I do like it that this film never loses touch with being purely entertaining, and the pace never loses momentum from start to finish. Interestingly, the key premise of the film of a controversial plastic surgeon using a circus as a cover for his activities,, isn't really made a lot of, only to to set the story in the early part of the film. And in the circus only really briefly manifests itself in the Temple of Beauty scenes. Perhaps this film is not to everyone's taste, and I think you probably have to like the quirky nature of it. But if this is your thing, it's a great time waster, and I'll certainly be watching it again.

*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 had this film recorded on my old virgin TiVo box and with the change over I lost it.I'm a sucker for old horrors and thrillers. This is a good watch and good story line. If anyone is interested in a good phycological horror watch Ghost Story on prime. Fred Astaire and other named actors. Scary . Hope this helps viewers.