Freaks [DVD] [1932]

Trying to figure out where to begin with this review is a rather tread carefully affair due to the subject matter and the attitude today towards people born with disabilities and certain words that are no longer politically correct today but in reference to the times the film was made the term Freaks was the norm so that is what i will go with for now and besides it is the title of the film,Made in 1932 by Tod Browning who had just completed Dracula with Bela Lugosi he came up with this rather peculiar story revolving around a circus and using real life people with real deformities which shocked audiences and was banned and also had loads of cuts made reducing the film to just over one hour long but even then the film still has a whopping impact on the viewer just as much today as bac in the day and the film actually ended Tod Browning's career he never recovered from making Freaks but the film today is a real classic and was even chosen for the National film registry's archive of cinematic treasures for preservation, I have always been fascinated by this film and had to have it in my collection it's a cinema marvel in the highest order.

One of my all time classic films. Was banned for many decades due to its portray and use of actual ‘freaks’ in real life (yes u know should use that word but it’s what the film is about(. An excellent companion piece to the Tin Drum .

When midget Hans(Harry Earles) becomes besotted with trapeze artist Cleo(Olga Baclanova),oblivious to the fact she is laughing behind his back, the community of sideshow performers are very worried. Their concerns are heightened when Cleo suddenly wants to marry Hans after becoming aware that he has a fortune. At Cleo and Hans's wedding ceremony, the freaks offer Cleo a toasting cup so she can officially celebrate joining their community. Cleo's facade is unmasked as disgusted at the thought, she launches a tirade against them. Meanwhile, Hans falls ill. Cleo and her strongman lover Hercules(Henry Victor) have plans for Hans, but their scheming has not gone unnoticed.....This marvellous film, banned for many years, puts many a modern day horror film to shame. Some of today's directors would do well and take notes from classics such at this, a twisted tale of morality and revenge. It is refreshing to see real 'freaks' acting on screen. Nowadays, we'd probably get CGI to play their parts. Okay, there is a voyeuristic aspect to the film, that is unavoidable, but the message of the two able bodied, 'beautiful' people being the real monsters is powerfully done. The characters of Cleo and Hercules are in fact two of the vilest characters to have graced the big screen. When they get together, their greed, malice and vanity shows no bounds. On the other hand, the put upon freaks only resort to violence to protect their own.Two scenes are particular favourites of mine. The wedding party when Cleo shows her true spiteful colours and the unforgettable nightmarish climax that takes place in the midst of a storm, rightly celebrated as one of horror films' finest.Director Tod Browning is better known for his version of Dracula, with Bela Lugosi's career defining performance, but this remains my personal favourite. Of the actors, Baclanova delivers the best performance as Cleo, and it's interesting to see a young Angelo Rossitto, an actor who ended his career starring in some terrible Al Adamson horrors, here playing Angeleno.Powerful, unmissable stuff. There is a nice documentary on this release regarding the background of 'Freaks' and the actors who starred in it. 5 out of 5 of course

Tod Browning's Freaks is as infamous today as it was back in the 30s when it shook film watchers to the core. Of course time has diluted some of its impact, you can imagine that a modern day horror fan drooling over torture porn et al being completely bemused by the reputation afforded Freaks. Yet it still remains a unique and nightmarish piece of film making, the sort of picture that if someone like David Lynch had made it in the modern era it would be heralded as a masterpiece of daring and genius like artistry.Browning pulls us the viewers into this bizarre carnival society of oddities who are genuinely portrayed by real people. Their codes and ethics are laid bare, but not in some sort of yearning for sympathy, but in a factual way of life. Browning toys with his audience, planting suggestive images of sexual dalliances and role reversals, then he completely pulls the rug from under us to deliver his flip-flop finale.The messages aren't deep, but they need to be thought about. For even as the freaks of Browning's play terrifyingly pursue their quarry through the rain and mud, as the blood freezes and the macabre imagery strikes the senses, it would be a shame if themes such as love and loyalty be forgotten. 9/10

The bonus documentary included on this disc is a great insight into the film. If you're reading reviews on whether or not to buy this movie, chances are you already know about the plot. Watching this in the 21st century, you can only imagine what an audience thought when first seeing this. Nothing before, or since, has ever been made like this because it's ALL genuine! There's no CGI or special effects, these actors ARE real "freaks"!

If you like movies that are a bit weird this is an absolute classic

Of course this is the altered version but in all honesty it is still an amazing movie and will always be in my top favourite movies. Not only is it a classic but technique a documentation of the history of freak show performers as it has real performers from freak shows and some preform their most notorious acts such as the caterpillar man (my favourite act). The plot and story, all be it a bit fast, is gripping and interesting and is the reason why it is still a horror even after edited out scenes.The DVD came in fantastic condition even as second hand and looked brand new.Would highly recommend to anyone.

So amazing in our ears as so human and one never sees the “freaks” as they were. There are photographs but not the same . An archive of the last century of importance as visually gothic .