Vampire Circus
1972
A vampire's dying curse is that those present should all die. When a mysterious plague strikes, the doctor's son battles to solve the terrible curse. Set in 1825. Read more
| Starring | Adrienne Corri, Thorley Walters, Anthony Higgins, John Moulder-Brown |
|---|---|
| Director | Robert Young |
| Genres | Horror |
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Vampire Circus
A vampire's dying curse is that those present should all die. When a mysterious plague strikes, the doctor's son battles to solve the terrible curse. Set in 1825.
| Starring | Adrienne Corri, Thorley Walters, Anthony Higgins, John Moulder-Brown, Laurence Payne |
|---|---|
| Director | Robert Young |
| Studio | CARLTON VISUAL ENTERTAINMENT LTD |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Horror |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 28 Jun 2005 Production year: 1972 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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This isn't the Hammer freak show its title might suggest, but a vampire horror that conjures up a fairy-tale atmosphere at first, as the arrival of a circus in an isolated 19th-century town in central Europe coincides with an outbreak of plague. Adrienne Corri's intense beauty shines like a beacon in the murky atmosphere, but the delicacy of mood collapses into blood-spurting horrifics towards the end.
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The circus of the title is an evocative 19th century troupe which weaves magic spells around a naive woodland village... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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11 out of 16 people found this review helpful
Roll Up, Roll Up
The film begins with an angry mob slaying the child murdering, woman seducing Count Mitterhaus, whom with his dying 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 (never underestimate the power of a clown...). 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 do a lot worse
3 out of 5 -
Most recent members' review
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11 out of 16 people found this review helpful
Roll Up, Roll Up
The film begins with an angry mob slaying the child murdering, woman seducing Count Mitterhaus, whom with his dying 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 (never underestimate the power of a clown...). 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 do a lot worse
3 out of 5 -
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Vampire Circus
A vampire's dying curse is that those present should all die. When a mysterious plague strikes, the doctor's son battles to solve the terrible curse. Set in 1825....
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