Circus of Horrors takes us back to a time when a trip to the big top usually entailed acrobatic chimpanzees in tutus, a dancing bear or two, tranquilised performing lions, midgets in greasepaint, and pre-health and safety acts of derring-do that could result in serious injury or death. Wholesome entertainment for all ages!The owner of this film's titular circus is on-the-run plastic surgeon Dr. Rossiter (Anton Diffring), who is wanted by the police for malpractice, and who has assumed a new identity, Dr. Bernard Schuler, so that he can continue his work. Operating on facially-scarred fallen women (prostitutes and murderers), Schuler staffs his show with the now beautiful women, all of whom just happen to have cracking bodies and an aptitude for circus performance. Should any of the women try to leave the show, Schuler gets his assistant Martin (Kenneth Griffith) to arrange an unfortunate accident during their act. All is going well for Schuler until a nosey reporter comes a-snooping, convinced that the showman is hiding a secret.The premise for this lurid slice of '60s horror takes some swallowing: I'm certain that, even over half a century ago, a circus with so many fatal accidents would have been promptly closed down. Here, the show must go on, or there wouldn't be much of a film; accept that fact and Circus of Horrors proves very entertaining, with a reasonable dollop of violence (best death: the knife-thrower hits his assistant in the neck) and plenty of cheesecake, the lovely ladies including Hammer babes Yvonne Romain (The Curse of the Werewolf) and Yvonne Monlaur (The Brides of Dracula). Also of interest for horror fans is an early role for Donald Pleasance (so early that he even has hair!), who plays Vanet, the man who bequeaths Rossiter his circus to say thank you for making his daughter beautiful.7 killer gorillas out of 10.

Dr. Rossiter (Anton Diffring) is an unethical plastic surgeon in post-WWII England whose last operation has not gone well. Now on the lam, he and his associates Angela (Jane Hylton) and Martin (Kenneth Griffith) end up in France, where they come upon a small time, unsuccessful circus. Rossiter, now sporting a new face himself and calling himself Dr. Schuler, sees an opportunity and takes it. He assumes control of the circus, and selects facially scarred young female criminals to serve as his star attractions. After he has altered their appearances, of course. Trouble brews anytime one of these women decides that they want to move on.Diffring is a deliciously conniving villain in this colourful (figuratively and literally) horror film from writer George Baxt ("The City of the Dead") and director Sidney Hayers ("Burn, Witch, Burn"). It's a well told and lurid tale, spiced up with decent makeup effects and a little bit of gore, not to mention a healthy amount of sex appeal. There are certainly lots of lovely ladies in this excellent cast. It's a trifle jarring when switches are made between real animals and performers in costumes, but otherwise the film works well. It's efficiently paced, and fun to watch.It's a treat to watch this cast at work. Donald Pleasence (with hair!) makes the most of his brief screen time. Erika Remberg is good as the temperamental performer Elissa. Yvonne Monlaur ("The Brides of Dracula") has an irresistible accent. But it's Diffring who commands most of the attention.This is one film that this viewer would recommend to fellow horror fans.Eight out of 10.

This horror film stars Anton Diffring, a name you probably won't recognize though it's very likely you'll recognize his chiseled Nordic face. He was a prolific actor in supporting roles but was most often cast as German soldiers in such films as WHERE EAGLES DARE, THE BLUE MAX, OPERATION CROSSBOW, THE HEROES OF TELEMARK and ZEPPELIN (among others). You also might remember him as Montag's boss in FAHRENHEIT 451. He one of those familiar and reliable actors that you had to have seen if you saw many films made in the 1960s.The film begins with Diffring and his two friends traveling throughout Europe. He is obviously on the run--but from who and what we don't know. On a lark, the three hide out by taking over a small circus and casting disfigured women in the leading roles. It seems that Diffring is a plastic surgeon and once made beautiful, the ladies learn the trade and stay with the circus. However, oddly, when any of these women try to leave the show, an 'accident' occurs to them--killing them. The first they show is particularly nasty and vivid for 1960. We can see that one of Diffring's friends is behind the murders but whether he (Diffring) knew this was the case is uncertain. While the idea of the murders at the circus is interesting, why Diffring and his friends invest so much energy in the scheme is odd--I mean, why do this?! And, after several of these murders, how could the black-haired lady been so insane as to make threats against the circus?! You'd think she'd tread lightly in light of the killings--there's already been 11 before this one!! And, for that matter, why didn't they just close that horrible circus?! And, the guy in the cheesy gorilla suit was not one of the film's better moments. And, when the doctor was trying to stab the hero, why did the young lady just stand there and watch?!? Sloppy--especially near the end, though the speeding car was kind of cool.While I wanted to really like this film, there was a problem that I began to notice after a while. There really were not that many killings--they talk about there having been some but only show a couple. This is quite unlike excellent horror films like THEATRE OF BLOOD or the Dr. Phibes films or the similar plotted CIRCUS OF TERROR (which, actually isn't all that excellent). Plus, there was lots and lots of talking--a bad thing for a film in the genre. I was aching for more action--more action and less inconsistencies in the script. Still, despite these problems, it is interesting enough to merit watching.

ANTON DIFFRING is a plastic surgeon under cover at a circus because he has left one of his patients disfigured. The first part of the story deals with how he acquires the circus through a strange set of circumstances involving a young girl and her father (DONALD PLEASANCE).When the circus becomes a success, after he has successfully cured a number of pretty women by removing their scars and puts them to work performing in his "Circus of Beauty," he treats them with cool indifference if they reject his advances and when he tires of them he gets his female assistant and her brother to dispense with them in various ways before the circus audience.That's the gist of the plot which uses the circus atmosphere to great effect and makes brilliant use of its handsome Technicolor production values.Anton Diffring is the man you love to hate. There's a Vincent Price quality about his over-the-top acting, but his magnetic screen personality carries the film into the realm of believability no matter how foolish the plot becomes.Although there are many beautiful women in the cast, it's Diffring you will remember in the central role as the surgeon with blood on his hands. His screen career consisted of mostly European films with occasional smaller parts in American films. Too bad he didn't find more leads to play in Hollywood.Intriguing story holds up pretty well although there are obvious weaknesses in the script.