The Worst Film Ever

Absolutely the worst movie.

It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

"Circus of Horrors" follows an ethically questionable plastic surgeon who manipulates his way into performing an operation on the scarred daughter of a circus owner, only to gerrymander his way into taking over the traveling big top. What follows is a decades-long practice of transforming disfigured and corrupted women whom are recruited into the circus— but if they decide to leave, they die. An effective riff on "Eyes Without a Face" as well as elements of "Freaks," "Circus of Horrors" is surprising in that it manages to walk a line between inhabiting the space of big top circus entertainment and the realm of true horror; that is to say that its cheery scenes of circus performance are shot with a colorful, family-friendly flair that is dazzling to behold, and yet there is a sinister and macabre subtext that underpins the entire film, leaving the picturesque, Technicolor-y (almost even Disneyesque) circus scenes feeling unsettling and even perverse.The film makes a point to toy with its audience's notions of aesthetics in this way, and in some sense acts as an almost exposé on the dark undercurrent of the big top (because, let's face it— there is something inherently weird about the circus). The power of the film hinges entirely on this interplay, and the dynamic is weird and unnerving enough to never really lose its steam. It's beautifully shot, and the performances are at times dated but overall still effective (we also get a younger Donald Pleasance as the circus's original owner). Anton Diffring has the appropriate look that screams "sadist" and "potentially psychotic," and he works this to the hilt. The conclusion to the film is shocking and fantastically presented.Overall, "Circus of Horrors" is an underrated offering from the crop of '60s British horror films. It is a visually dazzling film that is rich in visuals and colors, an element which is completely off-set by the twisted content and subtext of the plot. Sweet and sour, beautiful and ugly; all great things seem to be a bit of both, don't they? 8/10.

This horror film stars Anton Diffring, a name you probably won't recognize though it's very likely you'll recognize his chiseled Nordic face. He was a prolific actor in supporting roles but was most often cast as German soldiers in such films as WHERE EAGLES DARE, THE BLUE MAX, OPERATION CROSSBOW, THE HEROES OF TELEMARK and ZEPPELIN (among others). You also might remember him as Montag's boss in FAHRENHEIT 451. He one of those familiar and reliable actors that you had to have seen if you saw many films made in the 1960s.The film begins with Diffring and his two friends traveling throughout Europe. He is obviously on the run--but from who and what we don't know. On a lark, the three hide out by taking over a small circus and casting disfigured women in the leading roles. It seems that Diffring is a plastic surgeon and once made beautiful, the ladies learn the trade and stay with the circus. However, oddly, when any of these women try to leave the show, an 'accident' occurs to them--killing them. The first they show is particularly nasty and vivid for 1960. We can see that one of Diffring's friends is behind the murders but whether he (Diffring) knew this was the case is uncertain. While the idea of the murders at the circus is interesting, why Diffring and his friends invest so much energy in the scheme is odd--I mean, why do this?! And, after several of these murders, how could the black-haired lady been so insane as to make threats against the circus?! You'd think she'd tread lightly in light of the killings--there's already been 11 before this one!! And, for that matter, why didn't they just close that horrible circus?! And, the guy in the cheesy gorilla suit was not one of the film's better moments. And, when the doctor was trying to stab the hero, why did the young lady just stand there and watch?!? Sloppy--especially near the end, though the speeding car was kind of cool.While I wanted to really like this film, there was a problem that I began to notice after a while. There really were not that many killings--they talk about there having been some but only show a couple. This is quite unlike excellent horror films like THEATRE OF BLOOD or the Dr. Phibes films or the similar plotted CIRCUS OF TERROR (which, actually isn't all that excellent). Plus, there was lots and lots of talking--a bad thing for a film in the genre. I was aching for more action--more action and less inconsistencies in the script. Still, despite these problems, it is interesting enough to merit watching.

Sometimes when watching these things you can see the napkin that started the whole thing, and the scribbling on it.Circus. Check. These are one of the most flexible and cinematic settings. We've seen many different things successfully done in circus movies. There's something about the abstraction of this type of performance in the performance of a film that works.Mad scientist. Check. Gotta have one. Somehow he causes the terror.Beautiful women. Check. All from roughly the same mold, literally. Then you can see the writer sort of disintegrating after that, because there is no obvious way to mix these three. The solution is a mess. What you have is a world famous plastic surgeon on the run for some reason, and he decides to take over a circus for cover. For cover? Then he finds beautiful, shapely young women with facial damage. He fixes their faces, and enlists them to perform in the circus. The horror? Well, if they want to leave, they suffer lethal "accidents."Yes, its that lame, including a guy in a cheap bear suit who finishes off the doctor.All through it, we yearn for that napkin.Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.

A very well made British thriller directed by Sidney Hayers. Dr. Rossiter, alias Dr. Bernard Schueler(Anton Diffring)is a plastic surgeon on the run from England to France in the mid 40s. He gains control of a down-trodden circus to use as a front. The doctor gives female criminals a "new look" and then enslaves them as various acts in his circus...Circus of Beauty. When they want out; he offs them in a flamboyant manner.Played throughout the circus sequences is the haunting song "Look For A Star" by Gary Miles; a hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Also featured in this horror/drama: Yvonne Monlaur, Donald Pleasence, Erika Remberg and Yvonne Romain.