Such a frustrating disappointment

Absolutely Brilliant!

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

Mysterious Herbert Lom (Torg) wanders into circus life and starts to take over from circus owner Ben Lyon (Phil). Lyon has a brother David Farrar (Tom) who is top-billed with his girlfriend Anne Crawford (Mary) as the trapeze and high-wire act. However, once Lom arrives he takes over the top bill and also takes Crawford to be his partner in his hypnosis stage act. Just how far is Lom going to take the hypnosis act? He's pretty handy at revenge.Herbert Lom is what this film is all about. From his first entrance, dressed all in black, you just know he's evil. He can control a lion and he can control people. What I didn't get about this film was why everyone was so nasty to him. I ended up taking his side but I feel that was not the point of things. Anyway, he alienates himself, nicks Farrar's girlfriend and starts to have a power over her in everything that she does. The rest of the cast aren't very interesting and the two top-billed male actors aren't very likable. This is Lom's film.I don't like circuses so the film's setting just doesn't do it for me. I find clowns scary and not at all funny. And how about that laughing sailor dummy? That is pure nightmare material. Not funny. I'm not too bothered about this film either way – it sits firmly mid-scale."Look into my eyes" "Look into my eyes" – "Go and mow the lawn" "Go and mow the lawn"

An Early British "Horror" Film that was virtually Unseen in America until recently. The Circus really does have a Sleazy, Sinister side and has been Exploited in a number of Films and it usually is quite an Effective Backdrop for Suspense and Quirky Characters. This Movie Displays that Creepy Environs. Herbert Lom's Uncanny Performance as Torg, a Name that in itself Evokes Shutters, is the Mesmerizing Force behind this Offbeat Penetration into the Mind of a Desperate, Powerful Individual that literally Seduces his way to the (Big) Top. An Allegory of another Master Mind Manipulator.A Spellbinding Film that is an Unusually Dark and Disturbing War-Time Entry. Made at a Time when Germany was under the Sinister Spell of a Real "Svengali" named Hitler.

I certainly enjoyed this film, but it made me very uneasy. Herbert Lom, who is fourth-billed, his name appearing on the second panel of the credits even though he has the biggest part, is a phenomenal screen presence, menacing and charming. All the Anglo characters despise him without any reason. The Anglo male leads, Lyons and Farrar, are jealous, rude and finally homicidal. And you get the impression that the film-makers think that all their maliciousness is justified merely because Lom is foreign and intelligent. Made in 1943, this film could have easily been made in Germany at the same time with Lom posing as a Jew. I suppose he's supposed to resemble a German, but Lom (who is 5 foot 9 inches) is constantly referred to as "little" and "dirty". Great suspense scenes, well worth seeing, but...

Murder under the big top has often been a favorite topic for the screen, especially when you add jealousy and rivalry to the mix. This is a British film made during the war years at a studio that was later bombed and put out of use.HERBERT LOM has a key role as a hypnotist hired by the circus to give one of their high wire performers (ANNE CRAWFORD) the nerve to perform a dangerous act while under his positive spell. She's married to David FARRAR but soon attracts the hypnotist with her blonde beauty. BEN LYON is manager of the circus troupe. Lom wants respect and tells the circus manager he has the power to command success.The plot ambles along rather pleasantly with just enough tension to keep the interest up as Lom soon becomes important to the circus because he has complete control over Crawford, much to her husband's dismay. There are a few surprises later on, when the high wire act under the hypnotist's guidance goes awry with tragic circumstances. An additional surprise is the twist given the ending.Lom really steals the film as the hypnotist with magnetic eyes. David Farrar and Anne Crawford are both perfect as the husband and wife team torn apart by his interference.Better than average circus drama from the U.K.