Freaks (1932)

Summary: The trapeze-artist Cleopatra is in love with the strongman, Hercules in this circus side-show. But Cleopatra is being lusted after by one of the short people, Hans. Turns out Hans is heir to a large fortune and even though he has a girlfriend in Freida, his affection is for the beautiful woman who he sees as “normal” But Cleopatra only wants him for his money and soon romances him enough to get them married. Once they are, she starts to poison him. The rest of the circus finds out and they look to exact revenge!           Overall: In its present form, the film is sort of a mess. Yeah it’s a cult classic and yeah, it’s different…but it’s 64 minutes long and essentially 2 plots. 30 minutes of set-up where we meet everyone and then 30 minutes involving Hands being poisoned. What we can find out all these years later is that the film was actually around 90 minutes and the film ends quite differently than what we are seeing. (spoilers below). I think the film is quite unique and interesting in that we see real “freaks” and we learn they’re just people too. Normal, everyday people who are just trying to earn a living. And that’s fine. But you get the sense that Tod Browning was intentionally using them and their uniqueness to scare audiences and hence, exploit them. So in one sense he’s doing something good and showing us “normal” people not be afraid or pick on them but at the same time, also trying to scare us with their uniqueness too.           It’s a film that should be watched. No matter what, go for it. Enjoy it. “Become one of them.” But don’t buy into the “brilliance” that many people portray this film as. The actors weren’t true actors…so they’re not that good at it. But you’re so focused on their unique abilities you tend to ignore that and get caught into the story. And I say “good for you.” But just don’t expect “Citizen Kane” either. . . . (Spoilers) . . . . . . . . . The film's original ending showed Hercules singing soprano in Madame Tetralini's new sideshow, due to the fact that he has been castrated by the freaks. They blamed him also for what happened to Hans and amongst what they did to Cleopatra turning her into the “Feathered Hen” was castrating Hercules too.           Comparison: Wilder Napalm meets Big Top Pee Wee

Links to other sites at The Sinning Room

75 Second WMV

Horror Films A-K Review Page

Horror Films Review Page