Cast
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Christopher Lee
as Gregor
Leo Genn
as Elliott
Anthony Newlands
as Barberini
Heinz Drache
as Carl
Eddi Arent
as Eddie
Klaus Kinski
as Manfred
Margaret Lee
as Gina
Suzy Kendall
as Natasha
Cecil Parker
as Sir John
Victor Maddern
as Mason
Maurice Kaufmann
as Mario
Lawrence James
as Manley
Tom Bowman
as Jackson
Skip Martin
as Mr. Big
Nosher Powell
as Red
Crew
Director
- John Llewellyn Moxey
- Werner Jacobs
Writer
- Harry Alan Towers
Producer
- Harry Alan Towers
- David Henley
Reviews
Wuchak
***B movie crime/mystery that takes place at a circus outside of London***
After an armored car heist, some of the money is traced to Barberini's Circus winter quarters in the country just west of London. As dead bodies are discovered the inspector (Leo Genn) suspects several people, including the gruff hooded lion tamer (Christopher Lee).
A UK production, “Circus of Fear” (1966), aka "Psycho-Circus,” starts as a big city crime thriller and quickly morphs into a Whodunit at a circus with several familiar British faces in the cast. It’s a colorful B movie with a comic book vibe that’s so melodramatic it’s either amusing or annoying.
While the story focuses on the talky investigation, there are plenty of typical circus goings-on, like the lion act, elephants, knife throwing and some high wire stuff. Margaret Lee (Gina) and Suzy Kendall (Natasha) appear on the feminine front, but they’re not milked for their potential (not tawkin’ bout nudity or sleaze). The best shot of a female is a brief clip of a blonde stunt-riding a horse. Meanwhile Lee spends 90% of the movie in a black hood. Still, the flick works in its quaint, overdramatic Grade B way.
The film runs 1 hour, 31 minutes. Beware of shorter prints with a missing reel, as well as subpar prints (I saw the full version, “Circus of Fear,” which is a high quality print with crisp, colorful imagery). The picture was shot in Berkshire, Windsor, England (just West of London), with the opening filmed at Tower Bridge and wharfs in London.
GRADE: B-
Nov 3, 2019
Thematic Analysis
This Horror/Mystery/Thriller film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Circus of Fear presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director John Llewellyn Moxey 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 1966, 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 Fear took approximately 20 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 91 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 130 minutes long.
- The musical score contains over 32 unique compositions.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 5 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 1966, when this film was released:
- The space race between the USSR and USA was at its height.
- Social and cultural revolution was transforming Western societies.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While Circus of Fear shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Bury the Hatchet, which focuses more on action than character development, Circus of Fear subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Conspiracy Theory and Pendulum explore similar territory, Circus of Fear stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: April 29, 1966
- Runtime: 1h 31m
Where to Watch
