The film begins with an angry mob slaying the child murdering, woman seducing Count Mitterhaus, who with his final words sets a curse on the villagers (all this happens before the opening credits!). The story then skips forwards 15 years and we find that the village is now rife with a deadly plague and is effectively cut off from the outside world. However, into this ravaged village comes a travelling circus which provides the townsfolk with a welcome diversion from the spiralling death rate (not sure a circus with 3 animals is that good!). Unfortunately for the locals the troupe have ulterior motives and their performances aren?t all what they seem?.

I?m in two minds over this Hammer production. Whilst the film continues the shift away from cobweb laden castles and ageing front men, Circus at times feels rushed and it seems to throw everything but the kitchen sink into the picture. The main problem I had was the lack of a charismatic lead, with John Moulder-Brown (who plays Anton Kersh) being particularly annoying. However, this film is worth checking out for there is a wealth of unintentionally hilarious scenes (the death of the vampire siblings being a particular favourite). Not the best Hammer film but you could do a lot worse.

2 and a half out of 5