John austin I first saw this movie years ago in a chopped-up edited for television form, although I was recently able to see it in what looks like its complete version.I remember distinctly that Vampire Circus got terrible reviews in the 1970s. Our TV Guide rated it at ZERO stars, but time seems to have softened that harsh criticism of the time, and it's now regarded as a semi-classic.It's got the great look and feel of classic Hammer horror, and it gets by without Lee, Cushing and the rest. David Prowse makes an appearance as the strongman, one of the few times you see him not heavily made up. For what it's worth, the script is actually a little better than some other more highly regarded horror films.While it's not the best thing Hammer ever produced, you'll want to see it at least once if you're a fan of those movies.

cjh668908 Vampire Circus (1972) is an excellent Hammer horror film that mixes vampires and a circus. It stars Adrienne Corri, Thorley Walters, Anthony Higgins, and David Prowse (Darth Vader in Star Wars episodes IV, V, and VI).Basically, the movie takes place in an Austrian village in the 19th century. A little girl is killed by a vampire, Count Mitterhaus. The villagers kill this vampire in revenge for killing the girl. Years later this village suffers from the ravages of the plague. Some fifteen years later, a circus comes to town which actually consists of vampires. That's all I want to say about the plot so I don't spoil everything for you. Watch to find out what happens.This movie has lots of blood and gore, some full nudity, and some decent special effects for a low budget Hammer movie. The circus atmosphere and props are pretty decent, as are the costumes. The circus animals are amazing and appear to be well trained. Watch for the dancing tiger woman. She's a sight to see. This movie possesses a sort of dark fairy tale atmosphere mixed with pure circus horror. The movie has that classic low budget Hammer look and feel to it - somewhat cheaply made, but the cheapness is made up for with the story, attitude, and scariness.I recommend this movie because it's one of the better Hammer films and is a film that ranks pretty high on the all-time list of best vampire flicks in movie history, according to many fans.

picard-585-784088 This film has some good ideas. There's the freaky circus (always a good foundation of a horror film), there's some quite bold eroticism, and it could have worked out well. Unfortunately it seems obvious that there wasn't any money. The problem isn't with the bad effects, nor with the various goofs, nor that the villain looks kind of funny. Mainly, it seems like the plot isn't developed enough, making leaps because we can't afford to make a fuller version of the story. Too cheap for the average viewer, but a Hammer horror fan will appreciate it. The kind of movie that may be worthy of a good remake so it can reach its full potential.

Tom Jeffrey By the early 1970s, Hammer's Dracula franchise was definitely beginning to wind down, with such lackluster entries as Dracula A.D. 1972 and the Satanic Rites of Dracula (both ill-conceived attempts to update Dracula to the 20th century). At the same time, however, the studio was releasing a number of more imaginative vampire movies, of which Vampire Circus is a prime example.Hammer returns to its Gothic roots here, with the setting a 19th-century Serbian village. Count Mitterhaus, an evil vampire who has been terrorizing the countryside, gets his just due in the first 15 minutes but lays a curse on the villagers and their children. Fast forward 15 years, and the village is now plagued by a mysterious illness that is decimating its population. And then the circus comes to town.The circus motif is quite imaginative and takes the story in a very different direction than the standard vampire film. The oddball characters, exotic animals, and various circus acts are quite entertaining, while the connection between the circus and the deceased (or is he?) Count soon becomes apparent. There are numerous scary moments and gruesome deaths before the final denouement.I am surprised that this movie received a PG-rating in the United States, because the violence and nudity are abundant. Its major flaw is the absence of a compelling hero in the mold of Van Helsing or a villain of the caliber of Dracula. The acting, however, is first-rate, quite up to the standards expected of Hammer films. The film is handsomely produced, very atmospheric, and thoroughly enjoyable. Vampire Circus has been out of circulation for some time, but it showed up recently in the On Demand section of my local cable station. Although I've known about this movie since its release, and heard many good things about it, this is the first opportunity I've had to view it. It's great to have the Circus back in town!