Its really too bad Freaks was butchered by a studio uncomfortable with its content, though it does seem thematically relevant in a medium is the message kind of way. Nevertheless, it WAS butchered, which gives it a disjointed feel, where the able-bodied leads (or "leads") serve no purpose, the film runs out just as it gets truly interesting, and the frame tale is undermined by a tacked-on coda. So there's a lot wrong with this circus thriller, but also some transcendent elements. The treatment of side-show acts is particularly interesting. Real so-called "freaks" are the stars, which does mean uneven acting and sometimes impenetrable accents, but the audience is asked not to see this as a filmed version OF a side-show circus, but as a community of real people, being themselves before the camera. At least, in the first two acts. The plot demands action after one of their own is harmed by would-be exploiters, metaphorically representing side-show runners and patrons, possibly. When the tone turns to horror, it's a cinematic reversal where you're with the nominal "monsters" and against the characters with perfect physiques who are the true, moral, monsters. The terror is the villains', not yours. It's really quite surreal when you think about it. If some see exploitation - as most certainly the studio did by marketing it as horror and pulling it out of theaters as soon as they could - to the filmmaker it's a loving tribute, to the actors it's a chance to show their way of life, and to me it's a subversion of traditional horror film tropes.
Add your comment
Comments 1 - 15 of 19
Typically Thomas
I've seen people describe this movie as scary. I'm curious why. To me this feels like a bunch of tw@s getting what's coming to themPanunzio
The final 15 minutes are pure cinemaSiskoid
Its really too bad Freaks was butchered by a studio uncomfortable with its content, though it does seem thematically relevant in a medium is the message kind of way. Nevertheless, it WAS butchered, which gives it a disjointed feel, where the able-bodied leads (or "leads") serve no purpose, the film runs out just as it gets truly interesting, and the frame tale is undermined by a tacked-on coda. So there's a lot wrong with this circus thriller, but also some transcendent elements. The treatment of side-show acts is particularly interesting. Real so-called "freaks" are the stars, which does mean uneven acting and sometimes impenetrable accents, but the audience is asked not to see this as a filmed version OF a side-show circus, but as a community of real people, being themselves before the camera. At least, in the first two acts. The plot demands action after one of their own is harmed by would-be exploiters, metaphorically representing side-show runners and patrons, possibly. When the tone turns to horror, it's a cinematic reversal where you're with the nominal "monsters" and against the characters with perfect physiques who are the true, moral, monsters. The terror is the villains', not yours. It's really quite surreal when you think about it. If some see exploitation - as most certainly the studio did by marketing it as horror and pulling it out of theaters as soon as they could - to the filmmaker it's a loving tribute, to the actors it's a chance to show their way of life, and to me it's a subversion of traditional horror film tropes.Groovy09
I wonder who the real Freaks areamericanadian25
It's status as a classic is well-deserved. Some of the actors leave a bit to be desired, but you can't deny it's one hell of a striking movie.Princess_Of_Snails
So good especially for its time!tommy_leazaq
Wonderful film! Glad that I have selected this for my 1400th check.iCheckFilms
Absolutely stunning! Amazing movie; considering or not when it was made :-)Dieguito
Bizarre, in a good waySkyscore
http://www.afisha.ru/movie/170332/review/146025/reaven
Caught me off guard, damn this is a fine movie!withrowd
The scene in the mud reminded me of Toy Story at Sid's house.jlfitz
Amazing movie, especially considering when it was made.mittens
this is not a horror movie until the last 20 minutes. my favourite scene is all the freaks crawling in the mud towards hercules.Zura
One of usss...Showing items 1 – 15 of 19