Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Lack of good storyline.

Fantastic!

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

It begins promisingly, it ends strongly, but the middle is plodding, padded with impressive but ludicrously overlong circus numbers, and even a useless song-and-dance number. Joan Crawford has a more fitting role here than in her next film ("Trog") - and those famous legs of hers are still killer! The jaw-dropping Diana Dors provides some eye-candy for the men in the audience; Ty Hardin does the same for the women in a long shirtless scene. ** out of 4.

A 1967 Technicolor feature from the UK starring the versatile veteran actress Joan Crawford. Miss Crawford plays Monica Rivers the owner of a traveling circus that is suffering a dwindling attendance. Her business manager Dorando(Michael Grough)is at odds with her and wants his share of the business, he wants out. When a tightrope walker(Thomas Cimarro)falls to his death, suddenly ticket sales start increasing. A handsome Frank Hawkins(Ty Hardin)arrives wanting to prove his talent of high-wire walking without a net. Walker is hired and Dorando is mysteriously murdered. Suspicion is cast on Miss Rivers and things get worse; more deaths occur and business keeps bustling. Monica's daughter Angela(Judy Geeson)at 16 is expelled from school and is forced to join her mother at the circus. Dead bodies keep piling up under the big top and the circus folk along with Detective Supt. Brooks(Robert Hardy)are almost certain the owner is guilty of the murders in favor of building her business.Very colorful with typical circus acts. Not much acting from Crawford. Hardin seems nothing more than a proud peacock. I remember sitting in the theater with eyes clued to the screen wondering who would die next. Miss Crawford does prove to have a nice set of legs. Other players include; Diana Dors, Philip Madoc, Peter Burton and Geoffrey Keen.

First, let me start this review off by saying that I may have enjoyed this movie way too much. I enjoyed see Joan Crawford, with her green gloves that went all the way to the elbow, use all her dramatic skills to try to produce some interest into this slow mystery. And I will say that Ms Crawford did not disappoint and could have even got Academy votes had she been in a movie that had some degree of entertainment. And now I will progress to the movie.Other than the mystery there is little that produces any worthy interest in the production. It involves a touring circus where someone is killing off the performers in a rather nasty way. There are many suspects that may look like the killer, including Ms Crawford as the owner of the circus, but it will be right at the end where we will learn the identity of the true murderer. And when the end of the movie approaches and we now know who is doing the killing, the person running from the scene will meet an unusual situation just steps from the big top.I watched this film for one reason, to see Joan Crawford perform. And early in this picture it was apparent that even with Ms Crawford in the lead cast, there was no helping this movie. Watch the movie to see Ms Crawford acting ability, to see her in love with a guy twice her younger, to see her in her green dress and to see her at age 62 in leotards. For if you are watching for any other reason you will feel defeated for being taken so easily.

Joan Crawford stars in another of her cycle of horror films of the 1960's. This time she is the owner - and ringmaster! - of a British circus, in "Berserk" released in 1967. Some odd murders of different folks involved with the circus seem to be occurring, and all the members of that circus seem to suspect each other. Crawford is suspected by at least one circus performer - a slutty woman who wears a bad wig throughout the film - and she gets sawed in half - literally - by her husband! Not part of the act, folks! Brought into the mix of this implausible movie is Crawford's daughter Angela (Judy Geeson) and a studly circus performer (Ty Hardin) who is a high wire walker who has the hots for Crawford. Just why this hunky man - who is a good 20 years younger than 61 year old Crawford - has the hots for her defies logic, although he does want part ownership of the circus, which she agrees to later! The character of a Scotland Yard detective (Robert Hardy) is brought into the circus to investigate the murders. His character is pointless - he never finds out any more than we do. The killer is revealed in a silly and disappointing way at the end. Although one could argue Crawford looks good here for her age, her hairstyles and make up are not flattering. Or maybe it was the lighting. Those close to Crawford at this time - including her daughter, Christina Crawford - report Crawford was drinking heavily at this point in her life, and her bad skin coloring may be the reason - and her somewhat wooden performance. Anyway, the whole movie is a hoot, and worth it just to hear Crawford utter some outrageous lines - and do her best "Mildred Pierce" bitchy routine - and see her in her lingerie trying to "tease" the hunky high wire walker!