In 1932 this movie dared to show circus sideshow performers (seen at the time to represent evil) as human beings.
Banned in the UK for 30 years, severally cut in the US (original ending is lost forever) and also banned in Australia for being too disturbing.
When it came out MGM received many letters along the line of “Shame on you for putting such vile creatures on the screen”, referring to the lovable ‘Freaks’. Tod Browning was reviled by the times bigoted audiences and his career was destroyed.
The beautiful trapeze artist and her strong man sidekick are shown to be the real monsters.
“With humility for the many injustices done to such people, we present the most startling horror story of the abnormal and unwanted”.
8.5/10
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