A village in Nineteenth Century Europe is at first relieved when a circus breaks through the quarantine to take the local's minds off the plague. But their troubles are only beginning as children begin to disappear and the legacy of a long-ago massacre is brought to light. Viewer's comments: - Shock and Gore From Hammer VAMPIRE CIRCUS emphasizes shock and gore. There's always a feeling watching this of something forbidden..something under the surface unspoken. There's a hint of incestuousness in the relationship between many of the vampire clan here and the film is full of shocking gory images (and some nude imagery as well) with children often those most threatened by evil characters..but if that's what you're looking for (shocks and gore)..this is a very well made film with a better story than most of its type. It's a disturbing film to watch but one it is hard not to watch once you have started. I liked the unusual use of crosses in this film as a most powerful weapon in combating or warding off the forces of evil..maybe a little overdone but it sure makes for some of the most entertaining spectacles in this film. - One to watch at a "League of Gentleman" theme night The circus rolls into town to the soundtrack of spooky wind-up box music. No one is quite sure where they came from, and the small minded villagers become increasingly suspicious. Throw in a painted face dwarf with an echoing manic laugh, and one of those "You will die, your children will die, your childrens' children will die, your childrens' ch..", and you will realise from where The League of Gentlemen TV series stole all its best jokes. Besides the cliches, which are a Hammer Horror hallmark, the film is a superb addition to a genre much missed by both horror enthusiasts, and by fans of engaging British cinema. I especially enjoyed the circus chorography, which although very much of its time, was both sensual and picturesque. In the lack of a Van Helsing, the film suffers from having no charismatic lead characters. However, the oddballs in the circus provide enough entertainment to compensate. All in all, a few thrills, a few laughs. All round good 21st century revivalist entertainment. - A Very Good Vampire Film I had waited years to see this movie. I remember seeing it in the old Hose of Frankenstein magazines and wanted to see it, but never got around to it. Thanks God for ebay. I bought it and was not disappointed. The movie isn't your usual Dracula movie by any means. The story is the best part of the film. It is a more grown up Hammer/vampire production. I like the fact the village is isolated by a plague and is also suffering from the effects of the curse that a dying vampire put on it. It is worth renting, if not buying. I agree with others who said this is one of Hammer's more worthy vampire efforts. It is different. There isn't just one vampire ala Dracula and maybe one of his brides, but several.The music that is played through it,especially at the circus, is haunting as well. Personally, I would not mind seeing a remake or sequal, if possible as long as they stayed true to the story. - Strong contender for the most underrated vampire movie of all time! Not sure why 'Vampire Circus' isn't mentioned when people talk about the best Hammer movies, because it certainly deserves to be. As usual the studio manages to create a lot of period atmosphere and chills on, one assumes, not a very large budget, and like most of their movies the acting is uniformly good. The story concerns a village being attacked by a mysterious lethal plague which may or may not be connected with a dark episode in the small communities past concerning an evil Count who once terrorized all and sundry. The village is cut off from the outside world, and while they anxiously await some outside medical attention, a strange traveling circus arrives. The villagers leap upon anything to tale their minds off their awful predicament, but as you can tell from the title, the circus folk aren't exactly what they appear to be and have secret plans of justice and revenge. The performers themselves are much more interesting and sensual than the uptight villagers, and this creates an unusual tension in the viewer compared to many vampire movies, where good vs. evil is black and white with no troubling ambiguities. This is a very unusual twist on the familiar subject matter, and in my opinion one of the most underrated and overlooked vampire movies ever made. Trainspotters note: the supporting cast includes David 'Darth Vader' Prowse as the circus strongman, and Lalla Ward (who replaced Mary Tamm as Romana in 'Dr Who') as a pretty sexy vampire. - Sensually Gruesome! I remember seeing this as a little girl late one night alone in my house while my folks were out to dinner... all of the actors who portrayed vampires were very appealing, convincing and sensual in their hunger for revenge. By the end of the movie I was actually cheering for the vampires (who all seemed to possess more passion and depth than the "living") to wipe out the stupid villagers! Dr. who fans will recognize Lalla Ward (Helga)in this early role long before she married Tom Baker. I am a big fan of Anthony Higgins (or Corlan), but I can't seem to find anything substantial on this guy. I definitely recommend this film to anyone who loves Hammer productions. Try to see the European version, because the American version is edited to pieces and ruins the flow and explanations in the movie. - Top Class Hammer I agree with all of the other comments about this film, Vampire Circus is one of Hammer House of Horror's finer films. A great tale of Vampires causing trouble in Eastern Europe, led by a colorful cast of Circus performers. The head vampire, Count Mitterhaus, is amusingly arrogant and has some great one liners, in a similar vein to Hammer's other famous nobleman Count Karnstein in the equally entertaining 'Twins Of Evil'. One thing I've always felt about this film is that the good guys are quite pompous and annoying. This is contrasted with the characteristic and amusing vampires, and I feel the movie wants you to back the bad guys (Anton, in particular, is so wet you find yourself praying the Count will deal him a bad card). As other reviewers have pointed out, Vampire Circus indeed should be among the more well known Hammer classics, but for some reason is not. Never mind, if you are reading this you have stumbled upon it somehow. If you like 70's Vampire movies with a touch of the camp and the ridiculous, you could do a lot worse than this. Moreover, if you like this film and 70's Hammer Horror in general, check out 'The Vampire Lovers', 'Lust For A Vampire', 'Twins Of Evil', 'Countess Dracula', 'From Beyond The Grave', and 'Psychomania', they are all great fun. - Smart, colorful Hammer film from the 1970's "Vampire Circus" is an unusual Hammer horror film from the early 1970's when the studio was trying different approaches to film horror with great success. (Check out "Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde," "Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter," and "Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires too.) This is an smart, colorful film with a lot of small touches that made Hammer the greatest horror film studio of all time. But the U.S. theatrical release prints at the time were heavily cut--the climax is almost incomprehensible compared to the original U.K. release--and the film is unavailable in North America on video. It's too bad. This is a film certainly deserving of rediscovery. It's a lot of fun. - One of Hammer's Very Best ***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** As a child during the 70's, I can remember "Vampire Circus" airing on Saturday afternoon and latenight Creature Feature type programs (such as hosted by Count Gore DeVol on Channel 20 for all of you Washington DC area types). I remember loving this movie back then and I always tried to catch it when it came on; which was fairly often at the time. Then it seemed to disappear from the airwaves and I was left wondering what had happened. Well, after a lapse of nearly twenty years, I was finally able to see this classic horror gem again at long last. I procured a copy this summer and sat back to relive a bit of nostalgia, confident that I was likely to be disappointed in it. After all, as a kid, I used to think that Buck Rogers was great cinema too only to become the victim of a serious reality check upon viewing it in re-runs on the SciFi Channel as an adult. But I'm happy to report that my premonition was mistaken. "Vampire Circus" is, in my opinion, Hammer's best effort outside of "Horror of Dracula," and "Dracula, Prince of Darkness." This movie has wonderful atmosphere, rather good special effects for it's day, effective performances, and a good plotline not to mention that classic, lush Hammer cinematography. This is a superior vampire story and it is handled well. ***Spoilers ahead*** The story opens when a man observes his young bride leading a child off toward the castle of Count Rittenhouse, a tyrannical ruler who is feared by all of his subjects. Alarmed, he summons the men of the village and finally persuades them to attack Rittenhouse and free the child. Apparently, this has happened more than once in the village as the men finally overcome their fears and agree to storm the castle. Once inside though, the men find that they have stumbled onto more than they bargained for. Count Rittenhouse is more than just a madman. He is a mad vampire. A battle ensues in which the men of the village finally get the best of Rittenhouse by staking him in the back. As the vampire lies dying, he pronounces a curse upon the village to the effect that the men who slew him will die, as well as their children, "to give me back my life." Fifteen years later, the Circus of Nights comes to town featuring a bizzare cast of characters and rather scandalous entertainment. By now the town has fallen under a plague connected with the curse of Count Rittenhouse and is quarantined by its fearful neighbors. The circus has supposedly come to bring life back to the village, although, as time goes on, we see that they have really come to bring death to the village, and life to a certain vampire lying in the ruins of his castle crypt. If you enjoy Hammer films or just vampire films in general, "Vampire Circus" is a must-see. For those of you who have seen it, it is well worth seeing again, although be warned, if you have never seen the uncut version, you might just be surprised. This movie was made when Hammer was going through its own sexual revolution and there are three scenes in which nudity is a factor although, in my opinion, "Vampire Circus" is not quite the "flesh-fest" production that "The Vampire Lovers" or "Countess Dracula" were. Unfortunately, this movie has been out-of-print for quite some time; however, copies still turn up for auction on various internet sites including E-bay, which is where I found mine. I find it amazing that some of Hammer's worst films, such as "Scars of Dracula," and "Kiss of the Vampire," have been re-released on VHS and even DVD while a classic like "Vampire Circus" languishes in obscurity. If you haven't seen it, it's well worth the time. If you have seen it and don't remember it or you're afraid that it might not be as good as you remember, you've got a real treat coming. - Great Memories This movie was a favorite of my sister and me, having seen it dozens of times on the late late late show. Great vampires! I haven't seen it in 25 years, but I'd love to have it or see it again. Emil was our favorite vampire of all time and, as a teen, I'd have let him bite my neck anytime! - scariest movie ever? I have not seen this movie for years as it seems to be out of production, however if you get a chance to see it it is well worth it. I still consider this to be one of the scariest movies I have ever seen. this one gave me nightmares for a while, but i kept going back because it was that good. - Still one of the best vampire movies of an era I was glad to see that other people here remember this Hammer production (one of its best, to be sure). The producers were quite right in their unusual approach and managed to bring then a new life to an already tired genre. I haven't seen this movie for years, but I still remember how chilling some of its scenes were, thanks to the ingenuous combination of circus life and some really different bloodsuckers' adventures on the side. I second Celine in asking for this title to be released on video as soon as possible, together with other flicks of that time, like "Twins of Evil" and "Vampire Lovers". Cast overview, first billed only: Adrienne Corri .... Gypsy Woman Thorley Walters .... Burgermeister Anthony Higgins .... Emil John Moulder-Brown .... Anton Kersh Laurence Payne .... Prof. Mueller Richard Owens .... Dr. Kersh Lynne Frederick .... Dora Mueller Elizabeth Seal .... Gerta Hauser Robin Hunter .... Hauser Domini Blythe .... Anna Mueller Robert Tayman .... Count Mitterhouse John Bown .... Schilt Mary Wimbush .... Elvira Christina Paul .... Rosa Robin Sachs .... Heinrich Runtime: 87 min / USA:84 min Country: UK Language: English Color: Color (DeLuxe) Sound Mix: Mono (Westrex Recording System)
