Why so much hype?

Very disappointing...

Good concept, poorly executed.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

In the early sixties Anglo-Amalgamated became the alternative to Hammer for cheap horror thrills but in a more contemporary setting and "Circus of Horrors" was one of their better enteries, (the use of a real-life circus, in this case Billy Smart's, certainly helped). Anton Diffring is the psychopathic surgeon who takes over a circus as a front for his activities but who still can't keep death from his door. There's a greater emphasis on sex than in the Hammer films and director Sidney Hayers serves up a bevvy of European beauties as actual and potential victims. Hardly ground-breaking but fun nevertheless.

Horror films set in circuses were popular in the '60s (check out BERSERK! and CIRCUS OF FEAR) but this film was the original classic that started them off. It's a gently unassuming film, with a leisurely pace, which takes its time before revealing the various plot strands which all come together in the exciting conclusion. Therefore, there's a lot of time for characterisation, something which rarely occurs in horror films these days, and this slow pace makes the film all the more interesting and entertaining, and the conclusion is all better because of it.Good use is made of the circus setting, with the various dangerous stunts providing some real tension, especially in the hangman's noose trick where we know the woman will die. Anton Diffring steals the show as the ruthless and evil surgeon, his cold, calculated charm being perfect for the role, and he is ably assisted by a cast of good performers which includes Donald Pleasance in a small role as a drunk, and the glamorous Yvonne Monlaur, star of that other horror flick from 1960, Hammer's The Brides of Dracula. Conrad Phillips is a dependable hero type, Kenneth Griffith a delightful henchman, and Yvonne Romain a buxom beauty.There are lots of women stripping off for the camera and canoodling (pretty racy for the time) and a gore scene, where a woman gets a knife in her neck, which is also pretty bloody. The circus music, including the classic Liberty Bell theme familiar to any viewer, becomes haunting, which only adds to the combination. All of these factors make CIRCUS OF HORRORS a truly fascinating, compelling horror film which will stand up to repeated viewing.

Dr. Rossiter (Anton Diffring) is an unethical plastic surgeon in post-WWII England whose last operation has not gone well. Now on the lam, he and his associates Angela (Jane Hylton) and Martin (Kenneth Griffith) end up in France, where they come upon a small time, unsuccessful circus. Rossiter, now sporting a new face himself and calling himself Dr. Schuler, sees an opportunity and takes it. He assumes control of the circus, and selects facially scarred young female criminals to serve as his star attractions. After he has altered their appearances, of course. Trouble brews anytime one of these women decides that they want to move on.Diffring is a deliciously conniving villain in this colourful (figuratively and literally) horror film from writer George Baxt ("The City of the Dead") and director Sidney Hayers ("Burn, Witch, Burn"). It's a well told and lurid tale, spiced up with decent makeup effects and a little bit of gore, not to mention a healthy amount of sex appeal. There are certainly lots of lovely ladies in this excellent cast. It's a trifle jarring when switches are made between real animals and performers in costumes, but otherwise the film works well. It's efficiently paced, and fun to watch.It's a treat to watch this cast at work. Donald Pleasence (with hair!) makes the most of his brief screen time. Erika Remberg is good as the temperamental performer Elissa. Yvonne Monlaur ("The Brides of Dracula") has an irresistible accent. But it's Diffring who commands most of the attention.This is one film that this viewer would recommend to fellow horror fans.Eight out of 10.

While the cinematography in this one is somewhat lacking, the story is genuinely atmospheric, although it felt more like an exploitation film than what it was. The development of the characters and their relation to the plot is what is so memorable about this one. Our star is to be hated, reviled, that much is clear from the onset, but once that has been set in our minds, this work really delivers, in a Sigourney Weaver kind of way. I can't really say more than that without giving away the plot and the ending, so I won't.If you're into retro-horror, this is a definite must see. It's not the best horror, but it is probably one of the best ever done by the British.It rates a 7.2/10 from...the Fiend :.