| KRIMI#7 CIRCUS OF FEAR |
| Director John Llewellyn Moxey Cast Christopher Lee .... Gregor Leo Genn .... Elliott Anthony Newlands . Barberini Heinz Drache .... Carl Eddi Arent .... Eddie Klaus Kinski .... Manfred Margaret Lee .... Gina Suzy Kendall .... Natasha Maurice Kaufmann .... Mario |
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| This is an unusual film in the krimi section.For one thing it was not made in West Germany.It was made by a British team and filmed on location in London and at Bray studios.Rumors surfaced that a West German version was filmed at the same time.In fact the German release credited to Werner Jacobs is just a black and white copy of this film(thanks Fantomas for the info). The film does have quite a few of the West German "regulars" in it such as Heinz Drache, Eddie Arent and Klaus Kinski.It is also a treat to hear them undubbed and in their natural voices. This also is one of the first Edgar Wallace films in color. There are many "versions" available of this film.Psycho Circus is one such version.Psycho Circus is in black and white and also only runs about 65 minutes which means it is missing close to 25 minutes of film!There is an EP print of Circus Of Fear on video that runs around 75 minutes available as well.So you miss a great deal of plot and it tends to be somewhat confusing viewing unless you have the original cut.Fortunately I was able to pick up the complete version from Sinister Cinema. An armored car is robbed one sunday morning on a bridge over the Thames river.When one of the guards tries to flee another guard in on the robbery kills him.The gang members are pissed with the killer Mason as this will bring more heat from the police. Mason goes to meet the "boss" with much of the money.He is knifed and the money taken.Almost all of the gang except Manfred are arrested/killed as a result of an informant's tip.Manfred applies for work at Barberini's Circus' winter headquarters. When some of the stolen pound notes are traced back to Barberini's, Inspector Elliott meets the troupe.Suspects abound.There is Gina who is sleeping with a man whom we never see.Mario, her hot blooded ex fiancee is insanely jealous and they work the knife throwing act together.Mister Big is a midget with a penchant for blackmail.Eddie is Barberini's assistant and wants to be a comedian.Gregor the lion tamer always wears a hood as a result of a lion mauling.Carl is the new ringmaster.Carl has a mysterious background and he claims to be looking for the killer of his father.He says Anton, Gregor's brother killed him but escaped from prison.Carl wonders if Gregor is who he saya he is.And what about Manfred? Blackmail, jealousy, mayhem and murder all under the big top.Are any of these suspects the leader of the gang?The ending may just surprise you. This is a good film shot on the cheap.The cast is excellent and the plot is fast paced and enjoyable.The direction is a bit limp which is surprising since this was directed by the same man who did Horror Hotel(City Of The Dead) and the tv smash The Night Stalker with Darren McGavin.The cops and robbers aspect is played for all it is worth.The horror aspects usually found in an Edgar Wallace krimi are missing from this one.Chris Lee spends half the flick under a hood but still gives a forceful performance. Again skip the truncated versions and score the 89 minute copy of this. |
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