With that being said, I also have a confession to make: I haven't seen most of the films people today call masterpieces. I haven't seen 'Citizen Kane' or 'Doctor Zhivago' and only bits of 'Casablanca'. So does that make me a hypocrite? No, I have seen plenty of classic films; it's just that hardly anybody has ever heard of them before. To change that, I shall bring to the spotlight underrated films and say why you should (or shouldn't) watch this film. And the first one I'll review is none other than Tod Browning's 1932 film Freaks.
(That's some poster)
Plot: Set in an early 30s circus, a midget named Hans falls in love with Cleopatra the trapeze artist. When she returns his affections, he dumps his midget fiancée Frieda and continues to pursue the normal-sized beauty. But it turns out; Cleopatra is a self-serving jerkette who is only interested in Hans for the expensive gifts he gives her. When she learns of Han's large inheritance, she plots with her strong man lover Hercules to marry Hans and kill him to gain the inheritance. But at the wedding feast, not only does she get drunk and kiss Hercules in front of Hans; she also rejects the "freaks" acceptance of her and humiliates Hans before everyone. Later on, Hans grows sick while he and the other freaks plan their vengeance on Hercules and Cleopatra. This results in one of the most unforgettable endings in all of movie history.
Plot: Set in an early 30s circus, a midget named Hans falls in love with Cleopatra the trapeze artist. When she returns his affections, he dumps his midget fiancée Frieda and continues to pursue the normal-sized beauty. But it turns out; Cleopatra is a self-serving jerkette who is only interested in Hans for the expensive gifts he gives her. When she learns of Han's large inheritance, she plots with her strong man lover Hercules to marry Hans and kill him to gain the inheritance. But at the wedding feast, not only does she get drunk and kiss Hercules in front of Hans; she also rejects the "freaks" acceptance of her and humiliates Hans before everyone. Later on, Hans grows sick while he and the other freaks plan their vengeance on Hercules and Cleopatra. This results in one of the most unforgettable endings in all of movie history.
(I think Hans is finally realizing how much of an idiot he is for dumping Frieda for this diva)
Review: I have to say, I really like this film. I really do. And that's amazing because of my hatred for horror movies. But honestly, I find this film to be the victim of being mislabeled. It's not really a horror film; it's more like a 'slice-of-life' drama about sideshow freaks. In fact, a good chunk of the film is focused on the performer's lives rather than on Hans and Cleopatra. They include:
-A romance between clown Phroso and Hercules' ex-girlfriend Venus.
-A rather funny story of Roscoe the clown marrying Daisy Hilton and always arguing with her conjoined twin sister Violet.
Review: I have to say, I really like this film. I really do. And that's amazing because of my hatred for horror movies. But honestly, I find this film to be the victim of being mislabeled. It's not really a horror film; it's more like a 'slice-of-life' drama about sideshow freaks. In fact, a good chunk of the film is focused on the performer's lives rather than on Hans and Cleopatra. They include:
-A romance between clown Phroso and Hercules' ex-girlfriend Venus.
(I actually find them rather cute…call me a hopeless romantic)
-A rather funny story of Roscoe the clown marrying Daisy Hilton and always arguing with her conjoined twin sister Violet.
(Also, Roscoe talks like a grumpy Porky Pig…seriously.)
-And there are also showcases of other 'freaks' such as Johnny Eck (Half Boy), Prince Randian (The Living Torso) and others.
-And there are also showcases of other 'freaks' such as Johnny Eck (Half Boy), Prince Randian (The Living Torso) and others.
(Am I the only one who thinks that Johnny's a pretty good-looking guy?)
One of the most fascinating aspects of this film is that the 'freaks' are played by actual sideshow performers. These aren't actors who've strapped their limbs behind themselves and applied special makeup. These were real people whose livelihood depended on how abnormal they were to the world. The Director Tod Browning actually worked in the circus as a contortionist for several years, which greatly influenced his films, including this one. Therefore, this film has a very genuine feeling about it. It gives a realistic slice-of-life story without being like a soap opera. When I first read about this film as a mid-teen, I thought that this film would be gross and freaky. But when I watched it, the disabilities didn't gross me out at all. In fact, I was very interested on how these performers lived normal lives despite their limitations. The perfect example of that is Prince Randain. In his big scene, he takes a cigarette and lights it using only his mouth. It's a short, but great scene as it shows the adaptability of people with limitations.
But there is one part of the film that bothers me as a Christian. And yes, it concerns the ending. Now's the time where I'll give you a spoiler warning. *Warning: This section includes plot spoilers. Seriously, do not read on if you don't want the ending spoiled. Just skip to the Final Thoughts and watch the film immediately so that you can read this section*. With that take care of, let's continue. After the initial poisoning at the wedding feast, Cleopatra continues to poison Hans by giving him his daily 'medicine'. But what she doesn't know is that Hans isn't actually taking the poison and is plotting revenge against her. Meanwhile, Venus uncovers the plot and threatens Hercules that she'll get the police. Later, the circus is on the road to their new location on a rainy night. Cleopatra is ready to give the poison to Hans when she sees that he and his friends are brandishing weapons and demanding that she must drink the poison. Meanwhile, Hercules sets out to Venus' wagon in order to kill her. Fortunately, Phroso has been forewarned and sets out to save his love. Unfortunately, the clown is no match for the strongman as he's nearly killed in the process. But luckily, Hercules is wounded by a midget's knife and Phroso escapes. The last we see of Hercules is him in the pouring rain clutching his wounded side and scooting away from the freaks. The camera cuts to Cleopatra running in the woods; she stops by a tree and sees Hans and company coming after her; she screams and the camera fades. The barker/narrator then shows her fate: she has become 'the human duck' complete with feathered lower body, deformed hands and a permanent squawking voice. And though we don't see the fate of Hercules, the original ending had the freaks castrating him and being displayed singing soprano.
…O…M…W…That is quite an ending. But the question that must be asked: Are the freaks justified for their actions against Cleopatra and Hercules? On one hand, you can say that they are. These two have done nothing but toyed with a man's heart, plotted to kill him, and degraded him and his friends as nothing but 'slimy, filthy freaks.' It seems only right that justice should be served. But on the other hand, there's a fine line between justice and vengeance. You can't deny that they went a little too far over that line. And while we cheer at them getting their comeuppance, we also must remember that fulfilling vengeance doesn't satisfy, it just makes you empty. One more thing, it's very ironic that Cleopatra – The Peacock of the Air – becomes the Human Duck and Hercules has his manhood taken by those he himself declared that he could 'squash like bugs.'
Final Thoughts: Despite my thoughts on the films view of vengeance, I still think this is a good movie. Granted, it's not a perfect film. Some of the acting ranges from wooden to over-the-top (especially Cleopatra's.) Also, at 62 minutes, the film is obviously too short. Stupid censors and test audiences, they always seem to ruin good movies. And while I still say that I don't consider this a horror film, there are a few scenes that'll slightly creep out those who prefer normality. And one more thing, when you watch the film for the first time, I recommend that you watch it with subtitles because Hans, Frieda and Cleopatra have pretty thick German/Russian accents. Nonetheless, it's still a film that I recommend to anyone interested in how one lives with disabilities or a film off-the-beaten-path. I rate this film 4.5 out of 5.
As Roscoe…I mean Porky Pig would say: Th-Th-Th-Th-Th-... That's all, folks! Tune in next time when I review something more lighthearted for Frieda's sake.
One of the most fascinating aspects of this film is that the 'freaks' are played by actual sideshow performers. These aren't actors who've strapped their limbs behind themselves and applied special makeup. These were real people whose livelihood depended on how abnormal they were to the world. The Director Tod Browning actually worked in the circus as a contortionist for several years, which greatly influenced his films, including this one. Therefore, this film has a very genuine feeling about it. It gives a realistic slice-of-life story without being like a soap opera. When I first read about this film as a mid-teen, I thought that this film would be gross and freaky. But when I watched it, the disabilities didn't gross me out at all. In fact, I was very interested on how these performers lived normal lives despite their limitations. The perfect example of that is Prince Randain. In his big scene, he takes a cigarette and lights it using only his mouth. It's a short, but great scene as it shows the adaptability of people with limitations.
But there is one part of the film that bothers me as a Christian. And yes, it concerns the ending. Now's the time where I'll give you a spoiler warning. *Warning: This section includes plot spoilers. Seriously, do not read on if you don't want the ending spoiled. Just skip to the Final Thoughts and watch the film immediately so that you can read this section*. With that take care of, let's continue. After the initial poisoning at the wedding feast, Cleopatra continues to poison Hans by giving him his daily 'medicine'. But what she doesn't know is that Hans isn't actually taking the poison and is plotting revenge against her. Meanwhile, Venus uncovers the plot and threatens Hercules that she'll get the police. Later, the circus is on the road to their new location on a rainy night. Cleopatra is ready to give the poison to Hans when she sees that he and his friends are brandishing weapons and demanding that she must drink the poison. Meanwhile, Hercules sets out to Venus' wagon in order to kill her. Fortunately, Phroso has been forewarned and sets out to save his love. Unfortunately, the clown is no match for the strongman as he's nearly killed in the process. But luckily, Hercules is wounded by a midget's knife and Phroso escapes. The last we see of Hercules is him in the pouring rain clutching his wounded side and scooting away from the freaks. The camera cuts to Cleopatra running in the woods; she stops by a tree and sees Hans and company coming after her; she screams and the camera fades. The barker/narrator then shows her fate: she has become 'the human duck' complete with feathered lower body, deformed hands and a permanent squawking voice. And though we don't see the fate of Hercules, the original ending had the freaks castrating him and being displayed singing soprano.
…O…M…W…That is quite an ending. But the question that must be asked: Are the freaks justified for their actions against Cleopatra and Hercules? On one hand, you can say that they are. These two have done nothing but toyed with a man's heart, plotted to kill him, and degraded him and his friends as nothing but 'slimy, filthy freaks.' It seems only right that justice should be served. But on the other hand, there's a fine line between justice and vengeance. You can't deny that they went a little too far over that line. And while we cheer at them getting their comeuppance, we also must remember that fulfilling vengeance doesn't satisfy, it just makes you empty. One more thing, it's very ironic that Cleopatra – The Peacock of the Air – becomes the Human Duck and Hercules has his manhood taken by those he himself declared that he could 'squash like bugs.'
Final Thoughts: Despite my thoughts on the films view of vengeance, I still think this is a good movie. Granted, it's not a perfect film. Some of the acting ranges from wooden to over-the-top (especially Cleopatra's.) Also, at 62 minutes, the film is obviously too short. Stupid censors and test audiences, they always seem to ruin good movies. And while I still say that I don't consider this a horror film, there are a few scenes that'll slightly creep out those who prefer normality. And one more thing, when you watch the film for the first time, I recommend that you watch it with subtitles because Hans, Frieda and Cleopatra have pretty thick German/Russian accents. Nonetheless, it's still a film that I recommend to anyone interested in how one lives with disabilities or a film off-the-beaten-path. I rate this film 4.5 out of 5.
As Roscoe…I mean Porky Pig would say: Th-Th-Th-Th-Th-... That's all, folks! Tune in next time when I review something more lighthearted for Frieda's sake.
(Don't cry Frieda, the next review will be a fun musical with lots of catchy songs, I promise)
