john_vance-20806 I really don't know what to think of this film. Nothing like this could be done today except maybe to be viewed on the dark net.I think you could be either enthralled or revolted by Freaks. It's such a stand alone production that first-time viewers are usually going to be caught off-guard. In any case, it's hard not to have a visceral reaction one way or the other.Without going into plot details, a portion of the cast is made up of people with severe disabilities or physical defects. Some clearly have very limited mental capacities but others seem to know exactly what they're doing. I suspect that much of this line-up would have been what you'd see in a 19th century traveling carnival side-show.I'm not easily offended or shocked but I'm a little uncomfortable with what's going on here. Politically correct doesn't really apply, it's beyond that. As to whether it represents inspired, courageous, avant-garde filmmaking or is an example of vomitous bad taste and ignorance is, I suppose, up to the viewer. But if anyone responds with just a 'meh' I suspect their own tastes and social skills are a bit outside the normal.I suppose Freaks speaks to our human ambivalence in dealing with things that are bizarre, abnormal or revolting. Most of us can't resist at least taking a glance at a book filled with pictures of those with congenital anomalies. Many feel the same way about photos of victims savaged and mutilated by violence or injury. You're glad it's not you, but then turn to the next page to see the next repellent example.I can't recommend this film but I wouldn't say no one should watch it. Just be a little prepared for something that might be either fascinating or stomach-churning. The response will be a reflection of yourself.

zardoz-13 "Dracula" director Tod Browning's horror movie "Freaks" might freak you out unless you're a connoisseur of either Browning or the genre. Based in title only on Tod Robbins' short story "Spurs," this memorable revenge melodrama takes place in a circus touring in Europe. When MGM made this creepy little chiller, they wanted to reap the whirlwind of wealth that Universal Studios had with "Dracula" and "Frankenstein." This horror movie doesn't concern supernatural creatures or people, but there are three genuinely deformed individuals. Browning didn't rely on prosthetics or camera tricks. The two most impressive of the 'freaks' is Prince Randian and Johnny Eck. Randian is designed as The Living Torso, while Eck is The Half-Boy. The Living Torso has neither arms nor legs, but he does have a normal size head. The Half-Boy uses his hands to walk around with because he has no legs or even a set of buttocks. The other 'Freaks' are three pinheads and a couple of armless women. The main one of the bunch is a German fellow named Hans (Harry Earles of "The Unholy Three") who is basically a pint-sized little guy who dresses himself in formal apparel. He has had a relationship with another circus performer, Frieda (Daisy Earles of "The Wizard of Oz"), but he breaks it off after he becomes infatuated with high-wire trapeze artist Cleopatra (Olga Baclanova of "A Dangerous Woman") who preys on him for his wealth. Eventually, Cleopatra makes a fool out of Hans when she marries him, but prefers to kill him so she can get her inheritance. Once they are man and wife, Cleopatra wages a campaign to poison Hans. Happily, Hans discovers her skulduggery before she can kill him. The sideshow circus carve her up and they go after her muscle-headed accomplice, Hercules, who wrestles bulls in the circus. Clocking in at a learn 63 minutes, this classic horror movie will live on in your conscious mind withhold holding up Zorro. When the film was released after extensive editing, "Freaks" flopped at the box office, but it qualifies as a surefire, gross-out classic that you won't forget.

Hitchcoc This controversial film must have gotten some people pretty upset. Todd Browning, who directed horror films, wanted his audience to check their attitudes toward those who have been born with deformities or some disability. What we have here are people. Pure and simple. Despite their appearances, these are people with golden hearts who support each other on a day to day basis. They love and work and do all the things we all do. There are some villainous types here, but they tend to be the "normal" folks. I stayed away from this movie for a long time because I thought it would be uncomfortable. After a little discomfort from first viewing some of the more dramatic aberrations, I began to enjoy their personalities and their character.

Kirpianuscus an eccentric film. a definition who could be enough for give the right verdict in this case. a horror. or an experiment. a crazy idea. awful. cruel, chaotic, crazy, bizarre, absurd. each word about it is correct. but, for me, it is one of the most touching films of all the times. a splendid love story. and a delicate poem about the small details who are so easy ignored. the world of circus. and few great characters. the courage of Tom Browning to give to the public the life, emotions and spirit of justice of a group of people not so different by the majority of us. and this does Freaks a masterpiece. because it is a kind of mixture between Romeo and Juliet and Titus Andronicus. because it is a film about innocence. sure, few scenes are not comfortable but , in the time of cries, special effect and symbolic stories who are ingredients of many horrors, Freaks has a coherent and charming and powerful story. and it represents source of profound reflection. about us. like each parable .