Circus of Horrors

Starring:Anton Diffring, Erika Remberg, Yvonne Monlaur, Donald Pleasence, Jane Hylton, Kenneth Griffith, Conrad Phillips, Jack Gwillim, Vanda Hudson, Yvonne Romain, Colette Wilde, William Mervyn, John Merivale, Peter Swanwick, Carla Challoner, Kenny Baker, Jack Carson (II), Malcolm Watson, Chris Christian, Sasha Coco
Director: Sidney Hayers
Studio: Anchor Bay
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Fascinating Horror Double Featuring Macabre Settings
DRIVE IN DISCS FROM ANCHOR BAY
Extras! Extras! Extras!

Circus of Horrors/Theater of Death
Starring: Christopher Lee , Julian Glover , Lelia Goldoni , Jenny Till , and Evelyn Laye
Director: Samuel Gallu , and Sidney Hayers
Manufacturer: Starz / Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000AB16C
Release Date: 2003-09-09

Customer Reviews:

Fascinating Horror Double Featuring Macabre Settings .......2005-11-15

In their double feature DVD release of "Circus of Horrors/Theatre of Death", Anchor Bay have managed to rescue two highly interesting 1960's horror efforts from the oblivion of late night television to which they had been for far too long consigned. Both features because of their unique subject matter and settings make a great pair and have been given a superb release with beautifully restored prints and interesting extras. I've been long fascinated by both these British films from the 1960's mainly because of the macabre settings that both take place in; for "Circus of Horrors", it being a popular circus which hides many ugly secrets and for "Theatre of Death", a bizzare theatre specialising in productions of a Grand Guginol nature involving death,torture and sadism. Both compliment each other perfectly and boast fine casts, surprisingly high production values and interestingly complex characters that in both movies are not what they first seem to be. My personal favourite of the two is the less well known second feature "Theatre of Death", starring a superb Christopher Lee, in an unusual tale set in a fog bound Paris that is being terrorised by a series of mysterious vampire-like killings. Because of it's similiar sounding title this film is often confused with the later Vincent Price effort "Theater of Blood"; a delightfully tongue in cheek horror effort from 1973.

The first film is "Circus of Horrors".
It begins in 1947 and finds plastic surgeon Dr. Rossiter (Anton Diffring), fleeing a botched operation on Evelyn Morley (Colette Wilde). With his two reluctant off siders Angela (Jane Hylton) and her brother Martin (Kenneth Griffith), Rossiter flees to france and becomes part of a circus in order to escape detection. Very soon the calculating Dr. Rossiter now calling himself "Dr. Bernard Shueler", takes over the circus by killing the circus owner Vanet, (Donald Pleasance), and over a ten year period makes the circus one of the best in the world. He finds his circus performers by operating on badly scarred young women from shady backgrounds who he then forces to work as performers. However when the women want to leave the circus Schueler arranges for a series of "accidents", to occur which will stop the women from telling the truth about the circus and the women meet a variety of grisly fates that look like circus mishaps. However the deranged doctor's plans come unraveled when Scotland Yard become curious about the large number of supposed "accidents', that occur at the circus and the net tightens around "Dr. Schueler". A chance meeting at a charity function where the doctor's first victim Evelyn Morley recognises him and reveals his true identity sets the police closing in on him. However in a final confrontation involving aspeeding car Evelyn finally has her revenge on the man who ruined her life and was responsible for the death of so many other innocent women.

Anton Diffring, long used to playing movie villians has a field day in the role of the brilliant but deranged Dr.Rossiter/Shueler and his fiendish good looks serve the character beautifully mixing charm with a bubbling ruthlessness always ready to explode. Despite the setting being France, with the exception of actress Yvonne Monlaur playing the innocent Nicole the rest of the film has a strong English feel and atmosphere to it. "Circus of Horrors", expertly incorporated real live circus footage into the proceedings and the cast fit well into the live action sequences taking place in the circus ring. The film's limited budget is most obvious in the various attacks by such animals as a bear and a gorilla which in their contact with the individuals are very obviously men in fur suits. That aside however it is a beautiful looking colour production and although we as the audience always know who the villian of the piece is the various circus mishaps that occur create a great deal of tension in the story making "Circus of Horrors", an excellent little thriller to keep your attention.

The second film is "Theatre of Death".
This film is just as much detective story as a horror tale and has as it's setting a most unusual theatre appopiately titled the "Theatre of Death" that is home to various Grand Guginol productions put on by a small and very unusual theatre troupe in Paris. The productions the group stage are always of a grisly nature and feature torture, executions and bloody horror. The troupe is controlled by the arrogant and at times quite sadistic Philippe Darvas (Christopher Lee), who readily uses intimidation and humiliation of his cast members to get the desired efects for his productions. When Paris is rocked by a series of terrifying vampire-like murders that see the victims drained of all their blood through puncture holes in their neck, the suspicion falls on Darvas. Former police surgeon Charles Marquis (Julian Glover)who is currently seeing theatre actress Dani Gireaux (Lelia Goldoni), begins his own investigation of the theatre and is convinced that Darvas is responsible for the murders. Is Darvas in actual fact a vampire? After many red herrings are thrown in his path and Darvas himself mysteriously disappears the web begins to thicken until the surprise conclusion when it is revealed just who is responsible for the murders and why the victims are drained of all their blood.

For a modestly budgeted production "Theatre", boasts surprisingly high production values and terrific cinematography courtesy of Gilbert Taylor, and despite being set in Paris it most definately has a solid English feel about it. The main sets of this film such as the fascinating Grand Guginol Theatre of the title and the residence of Philippe Darvas, which is full of sliding doors, hidden passage ways and secret rooms are wonderful and really add to the overall atmosphere of the story. Performances are uniformily fine with Christopher Lee dominating the proceedings in his role as the sadistic and manical theatre head. Jenny Till as starlet Nicole Chapelle, veteran British actress Evelyn Laye as the theatre owner Madame Angelique, and Julian Glover as the intrepid Charles Marquis also add flavour to the proceedings in this unusual horror tale that does keep you guessing right up to the film's blood drenched climax.

A suitably dramatic pair of films for a most interesting double bill are included here on this DVD that sees both films restored from original vault material long deleted from television editions. The two villians of these two films, Christopher lee and Anton Diffring make an ideal pair and really lift both productions out of the ordinary for mystery lovers. For a spine chilling pair of thrillers full of murder, mystery and mayhem I strongly recommend this beautifully restored Anchor Bay DVD release of "Circus of Horrors/Theatre of Death.

DRIVE IN DISCS FROM ANCHOR BAY.......2004-03-02

Here are two gems with two yummy and hot male foreigners! The first film, Circus Of Horrors with the lead male played by Anton Diefring. Diefring plays a totally psychotic and over sexed plastic surgeon that takes over a carnival and subjects his female circus stars to some time under the knife with him. (HA HA) Diefring is a creepy, sexy, cold, megalomaniac intent on making disfigured women beautiful and then having his way with them. A youngish Donald Pleasance (the psychiatrist in the Halloween movies) has a bit part in the film. For the date the movie was filmed in (1960) it is QUITE THE horror/sexploitation film. The second film has Mr. Horror Guru himself, Christopher Lee as a creepalicious, power hungry theatre (of death) director and owner. The special effects are well done and the set of the theatre and Lee's home with secret passageways and the like is top-notch. This is the weaker of the two films, however, but still an enjoyable pic...

Extras! Extras! Extras!.......2003-10-02

Theatre of death is the weaker of these two films but has a great 11 min interview with Christopher Lee. Posters, still gallery and trailer. Circus of Horrors stars Anton Difring who plays a crazed plastic surgeon on the run who fixes the faces of women who he makes perform in his circus untill they try to leave that's when it becomes a horror show also includes a trailer tv spots still gallery and more Anchor Bay even puts in a nice insert with beautiful reproduced poster art and for 10 bucks it's a steal

Average customer rating:

Really good story for a Drive-In movie 2nd movie
"Seems to me death takes a lot of defying around this circus."
A Sentimental Favorite
THAT AMAZING SONG - IN A HORROR MOVIE!!
CIRCUS OF HORRORS

Circus of Horrors
Starring: Anton Diffring , Erika Remberg , Yvonne Monlaur , Donald Pleasence , and Jane Hylton
Director: Sidney Hayers
Manufacturer: Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005NKSO
Release Date: 2001-10-09

Customer Reviews:

Really good story for a Drive-In movie 2nd movie.......2007-02-01

Back in the day when it was a big treat to go to the Drive in on Sat. nite with your parents and in your pj's. Such fun, today's kids don't know what they have missed. Playing in the playground set up before the mammoth white screen and at 8:00pm when the sun went down we'd go to our parents cars and settle in to watch a movie ( of course we always fell asleep) Anyway the story was good, the acting was a lot better than you would expect. And the actors were good looking, another ingredient missing in today movies. Enjoy!

"Seems to me death takes a lot of defying around this circus.".......2006-10-10

Written by George Baxt (Night of the Eagle, Vampire Circus) and directed by Sidney Hayers (Night of the Eagle, Satan's Playthings), Circus of Horrors (1960) stars Anton Diffring (The Man Who Could Cheat Death, Fahrenheit 451, Where Eagles Dare). Also appearing is Jane Hylton (The Manster), Kenneth Griffith (The Assassination Bureau), Erika Remberg (Night of the Vampires), who would later marry the director, Yvonne Monlaur (The Brides of Dracula), Conrad Phillips (Sons and Lovers), Vanda Hudson (Strip Tease Murder), Yvonne Romain (Devil Doll), and Donald Pleasence (The Great Escape, You Only Live Twice).

Anton Diffring plays a character named Dr. Rossiter, a plastic surgeon with a spotty history now on the run from English authorities due to some `unpleasantness'. With the help of his assistants Martin (Griffith) and Angela (Hylton), who are also brother and sister, Rossiter gets new face, along with a new identity as Dr. Bernard Schueler. The trio leave the English isle for France where they happen upon flea bitten, washed up circus run by a man named Vanet (Pleasence), whose young daughter Nicole suffers from a horrible facial disfigurement as a result of the war not so long ago (as the story begins the year is 1947). Anyway, Rossiter, aka Schueler makes a deal with Vanet, one that would allow for Schueler to use the circus as a front while continuing his work in exchange for fixing Nicole's face. Vanet agrees and circumstances eventually lead to Schueler taking over the circus (Vanet got a little too friendly with a bear). Seeing the number of facially disfigured young women running around Europe at the time, Schueler gets the bright idea to focus on those who are criminals (pickpockets, prostitutes, murderesses, etc.), giving them new faces in exchange for their servitude in the circus. Ten years pass and business is booming although the circus does seem to have an unusually mortality rate (where's OSHA when you need them?), particularly among its young and comely female performers, all of whom Schueler's operated on...also Schuler seems to have a habit of falling for each of the women he `fixes', at least until the next one comes along, much to the consternation of Angela, whose had a thing for Schueler as far back when he was known as Rossiter. Eventually the authorities become suspicious, Schueler has a falling out with Martin and Angela, there's an incident with a guy in a bad gorilla suit, there's some more deaths under the big top, Schueler is recognized from someone from his past, all leading up to an exciting finale that proves while the circus may certainly be an entertaining show, not all the action happens within its three rings...

I enjoyed this semi-sleazy English horror nugget a lot despite my perception of there being a slight overabundance of drama and not enough horror (and sleaze)...what horror elements included were certainly impressive and shocking (except maybe for the bear and gorilla attacks, which I'll talk about later), but I think the film could have done with some more. There's more than enough drama to go around as we see Differing's character deal with his various love interests, the numerous circus performers and their problems (not getting top billing, having to share the spotlight, etc.), and so on...that's not to say I don't enjoy good drama but some of it here seemed scattered about haphazardly, one example specifically in terms of the sad sack clown who had a thing for an uppity aerial ballet performer who winds up on Rossiter's bad side (guess what happens to her?). Anyway, there are numerous scenes where we see Bozo (or whatever the hell his name was) on the sidelines, intently watching the woman perform, so we know he's got it bad for her, but then when she suffers a mishap, where does this element of the plot go? Nowhere in particular as Bozo vanishes, never to be seen again which ultimately made me wonder what was the point? Seemed like a dilly of a revenge motif was in the works but oh well...there's certainly more good than bad here as the production values are very solid, the performances professional, and the action exciting. It's nice to see Anton Diffring featured in the lead especially since I've always thought him a character actor relegated to playing German heavies in war pictures. The man had depth, along with the creepy eyes, and did very well bringing to life his character here, one blessed with an amazing ability to change lives yet eventually becomes drunk on his own hubris, lording his gifts over those whom he pretends to help. There was one character, played by Conrad Phillips, which annoyed me somewhat as the film progressed. His was the main hero role, as he was an investigator posing as a pushy reporter. Through most of the last half of the film we see him walking around behind the scenes of the circus, trying to dig up dirt by questioning performers and what not. At one point he's told to beat it as he's not allowed in the backstage areas, yet no one ever really pushes the point which basically results in his having free reign. Seems to me with all the monkey business going on behind the scenes, the last thing you'd want is a nosy reporter (who's actually a police detective) milling about. If it were my show (and my secrets to hide), I would have had the habitual trespasser seriously pummeled by the strongman at the very least. There were a couple of really goofy sequences featuring guys in fake animal suits attacking characters, something the filmmakers obviously knew looked phony given the quick cut shots showing bits of faux fur and not much else. On the flipside I thought the various scars and bits of gruesome horror effects done well, looking highly realistic. All in all Circus of Horrors is worth checking out as it's a better than average film (of its kind) with a strong sense of direction, solid performances all around, some grisly effects (along with some goofy ones), interesting characters, and a decent script.

This DVD release, provided by Anchor Bay Entertainment, includes a sharp looking picture presented in widescreen (1.77:1), enhanced for 16X9 TVs, along with a very solid Dolby Digital mono audio track available in English and Spanish. Extra features include an original theatrical trailer, three television spots, a still gallery, a gallery of posters and advertising material, an Anton Differing biography, and a 5X7 reproduction insert of a poster for the film, the flipside featuring the chapter stops.

Cookieman108

By the way, if you're interested in picking up this film on DVD, you might want to search out a double feature DVD release from Anchor Bay Entertainment, one that includes Circus of Horrors along with Christopher Lee flick titled Theater of Death (1966). Another thing, Lee did appear in a film titled Circus of Fear (1966), which shouldn't be confused with Circus of Horrors as it's not nearly as good.

A Sentimental Favorite.......2005-09-07

I finally purchased this movie. I remember when I saw it on t.v. in the 1960s. The music was haunting and I couldn't get it out of my mind. This movie is typical of the horror flix of the time. You'll enjoy it.

THAT AMAZING SONG - IN A HORROR MOVIE!!.......2003-12-14

It's amazing to see so many reviewers remembering the song "Look for a Star" from this 1960 thriller gem. I saw this movie first back in 1960 when I was a highly impressionable child and was overwhelmed by its brutality and gripping suspense. The song has haunted me ever since; it's one of those melodies that stays in your head even years later.
And in addition, the movie's many scenes have haunted me: the beautiful Yvonne Romaine's fatal lion taming scene; Donald Plesance's brief role as the drunken owner of the circus; Erika Romberg's fall from grace; the actors who portrayed Rossiter's compatriates in crime--how their subtly understated performances are so well done; and of course, the finale where poetic justice is so passionately observed.
This is really nothing more than a very good thriller; it's horrors are psychological, and so well evidenced in Anton Diffring's performance as Rossiter/Schuler. His egomania and love for what he does is the soul of Diffring's performance and in spite of a sometimes difficult accent, he is perfect in this little gem.

CIRCUS OF HORRORS.......2003-11-11

I love this movie, which is why I probably wound-up with several copies of it. It is an excellent movie with an unexpected twist at the end (you won't be able to guess at the ending). BEAUTIFUL EUROPEAN WOMEN in various states of undress, but still suitable for family viewing. The movie is in brilliant color. Recommend this movie to all horror/sci-fi/mystery fans.

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