Circus of Fear

Director: Werner Jacobs, John Llewellyn Moxey Werner Jacobs

Overview

"Based on an Edgar Wallace murder mystery this chiller centers on a Scotland Yard investigation of a series of puzzling deaths plaguing a traveling circus and the hunt for loot stolen from an armored car robbery. Suspects include the mask-wearing and disfigured lion tamer, a vengeful ringmaster, an insanely jealous knife-thrower, and a blackmailing dwarf called ""Mr. Big."" The film is also known as Circus of Fear. A German version was shot simultaneously with Psycho-Circus but used a different director. Though available in color in Great Britain, most of the American copies of the film are in black-and-white."

Product Details

Release Date:	09/30/2003
UPC:	0827058101097
Original Release:	1966
Rating:	NR
Source:	Blue Underground
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:31:00
Sales rank:	32,843

Special Features

Audio commentary with director John Moxey; Theatrical trailers; Poster & still gallery; Talent bios

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Christopher Lee	Gregor, Lion Tamer,Gina
Leo Genn	Inspector Elliott
Anthony Newlands	Barberini
Heinz Drache	Carl, Ringmaster
Klaus Kinski	Manfred
Victor Maddern	Mason
Maurice Kaufmann	Mario
Lawrence James	Manley
Tom Bowman	Jackson
Skip Martin	Mr. Big
Henry Longhurst	Hotel porter
George Fisher	4th Man
Peter Brace	Speedboat man
Roy Scammell	Speedboat Man
Keith Peacock	Security Man
Suzy Kendall	Natasha
Cecil Parker	Sir John
Eddi Arent	Eddie

Technical Credits

Harry Towers

Producer

Editorial Reviews

Although its title and the presence of horror mainstay Christopher Lee might lead one to expect a chilling monster picture, Circus of Fear is really a fairly standard issue murder mystery. The circus setting, while hardly unique, does give Circus a little curiosity value; unfortunately, this aspect of the film is not exploited as interestingly as it might have been. There's the usual mumbo jumbo about circus folk being their own community and taking care of (or punishing) their own and some stock big top situations. The not-unexpected knife throwing sequence, however, is extremely well done and adds some much-needed tension; another sequence involving a fight at is filmed among a bunch of elephants promises more than it delivers, but it does come across as relatively effective. The "big reveal" of the lion tamer's face is so-so, but Christopher Lee still manages to make the most of it, as he does all of his moments here. The plot is confused and confusing but does manage to keep the viewer engaged, and Lee's fellow cast members are fine. (The excellent Klaus Kinski is largely wasted in a tiny role.) Editing is poor, in some places jarring. But its faults aside, there are enough ingredients to keep crime flic aficionados entertained.