Psycho-Circus (1966)

A circus becomes the location for stolen loot and murder.

Directors:

Werner Jacobs, John Llewellyn Moxey (as John Moxey)

Writer:

Harry Alan Towers (screenplay) (as Peter Welbeck)

Stars:

Christopher Lee, Leo Genn, Anthony Newlands

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Christopher Lee	...	Gregor
Leo Genn	...	Inspector Elliott
Anthony Newlands	...	Barberini
Heinz Drache	...	Carl
Eddi Arent	...	Eddie
Klaus Kinski	...	Manfred
Margaret Lee	...	Gina
Suzy Kendall	...	Natasha
Cecil Parker	...	Sir John
Victor Maddern	...	Mason
Maurice Kaufmann	...	Mario
Lawrence James	...	Detective Sgt. Manley
Tom Bowman	...	Jackson
Skip Martin	...	Mr. Big
Nosher Powell	...	Red (as Fred Powell)

Storyline

A circus becomes the location for stolen loot and murder.

---

Plot Keywords:

circus | manhunt | psychotronic film | murder | krimi | 

---

Taglines:

The most horrifying syndicate of evil in history!

---

Genres:

Mystery | Thriller | Horror

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

UK West Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

May 1967 (USA)

Also Known As:

Psycho-Circus

Filming Locations:

Bray Studios, Down Place, Oakley Green, Berkshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Circus Films, Proudweeks

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min 65 min (edited) (black and white)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color (Eastmancolor) (uncredited)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Though shot in color, the movie was released in Germany in black-and-white. Rialto Film, the Production Company of the German Edgar Wallace series, was very close to Constantin Film, this movie's German distributor and co-Producer. Rialto Film wanted to promote a production of their own as the "first Edgar Wallace film in color". That movie was The Hunchback of Soho (1966), released in Germany only a couple of months after this film. The original color version was released in Germany on DVD in 2006, though in edited form.

---

Goofs

In the fight scene between the knife thrower and the head of the circus the two actors were rolling around in the elephant area and on the circus floor, but five minutes when the manager is talking to the midget and smoking a cigarette his brown sport coat looks like it came from the cleaners.

---

Quotes

Barberini: Two years ago he was involved in a serious accident and very badly scarred. He carries on the act in the family tradition but never without the mask.

---

Alternate Versions

Video version entitled Circus of Fear includes new footage and introduction with John Carradine.

---

Connections

Featured in TJ and the All Night Theatre: Circus of Fear + the X from Outer Space (1980)

User Reviews

Messy but fun sixties thriller

Circus of Fear is based on a novel by Edgar Wallace; the same writer who spawned the German "Krimi" style of film-making. This film is a British take on the Krimi style and comes out something like a Hammer Horror mystery, though the film is not without its problems. That's possibly why this film is not easy to come by; as despite the fact that it stars Christopher Lee in an interesting role as a circus lion tamer, Circus of Fear, at times, isn't all that easy to get along with as the plot is really quite messy and the horror that goes along with the central mystery often gets in the way. The plot begins with a botched heist that ends with one of the criminals shooting a police officer. The shooter is given the chance to go and give the boss his share before being allowed to flee the country; but unfortunately, he is murdered upon his arrival at the meeting place. The action then switches to the local circus where is believed that the identity of the murderer will be revealed. There we are introduced to a whole host of shady and mysterious characters...

The film is directed by John Llewellyn Moxey, who previously directed Christopher Lee in the excellent, fog-soaked, City of the Dead. Said previous film is a better one as the plot worked better; but while Circus of Fear doesn't always work well, the things that do work are very good and the film never gets boring. The cast is headed by Christopher Lee who is grim and imposing in his role as a horribly scarred and masked lion tamer. The film also features a small role for the great Klaus Kinski, as well as sound performances from British performers Anthony Newlands, Leo Genn and Margeret Lee. The film presents a lot of suspects and it soon becomes easier to just watch it rather than try and guess who the killer is. However, the two twists in the tale can be guessed (the first one is very obvious) without putting too much strain on the viewer, which is a shame. City of the Dead was all about atmosphere and this film is fairly atmospheric too, though not nearly to the same extent as the earlier film, which is another shame. Overall, Circus of Fear is not a great film; but it's entertaining enough and I can recommend it.