Cast
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Anton Diffring
as Dr. Schuler
Erika Remberg
as Elissa Caro
Yvonne Monlaur
as Nicole Vanet
Donald Pleasence
as Vanet
Jane Hylton
as Angela
Kenneth Griffith
as Martin
Conrad Phillips
as Inspector Arthur Ames
Jack Gwillim
as Supt. Andrews
Vanda Hudson
as Magda von Meck
Yvonne Romain
as Melina
Colette Wilde
as Evelyn Morley
William Mervyn
as Dr. Morley
Peter Swanwick
as Inspector Knopf
Carla Challoner
as Nicole (as a Child)
Kenny Baker
as Dwarf
Crew
Director
- Sidney Hayers
Producer
- Samuel Z. Arkoff
- Leslie Parkyn
- Julian Wintle
Reviews
Wuchak
***Lurid, comic booky circus flick with myriad beautiful women, wild animals and devious murders***
A couple years after WW2 an English plastic surgeon (Anton Diffring) flees to France with his two cronies (Kenneth Griffith & Jane Hylton) and ends up going into the circus business. A dozen years later he has a successful traveling show that’s notorious as The Jinxed Circus, which draws the suspicions of an inspector (Conrad Phillips).
“Circus of Horrors” (1960) is like a thriller comic book version of “The Greatest Show on Earth” (1952). It’s similar to “Circus of Fear,” aka “Psycho-Circus” (1966), which reportedly borrowed some of its circus footage, but this one’s more entertaining. While some of the animals featured are real (lions, horses and a bear) others are glaringly fake (a gorilla and a bear).
The story is decidedly comic booky, but the film’s luridly compelling entertainment and recommended for fans of circus flicks and Hammer-esque horror. On the female front it scores off the charts with Colette Wilde (Evelyn), Vanda Hudson (Magda), Yvonne Monlaur (Nicole), Erika Remberg (Elissa) and Yvonne Romain (Melina), all featured in alluring apparel.
Donald Pleasence (with hair) even shows up for a bit part.
The movie runs 1 hour, 28 minutes, and was shot in the London area.
GRADE: B-/B
Mar 24, 2020
Thematic Analysis
This Horror/Crime film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Circus of Horrors presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Sidney Hayers brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1960, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Circus of Horrors took approximately 6 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 88 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 119 minutes long.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 6 weeks before filming began.
- The costume department created over 407 unique costume pieces for the production.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
Historical Context
- In 1960, when this film was released:
- Social and cultural revolution was transforming Western societies.
- The space race between the USSR and USA was at its height.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While Circus of Horrors shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike The Night Flier, which focuses more on action than character development, Circus of Horrors subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Jennifer Eight and One Missed Call explore similar territory, Circus of Horrors stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: April 1, 1960
- Runtime: 1h 28m
Where to Watch
