Vampire Circus 4K 1972

Well, it’s a pretty decent, atmospheric horror film from the 1970s by the legendary Hammer Studios, shot in their signature style. The film doesn’t really stand out in any particular way, it doesn’t build up any real horror (though, which of Hammer’s creations can really boast a strong ability to scare the audience? These are more films focused on aesthetics), but it does a decent job of drawing us into its atmosphere and gives us the chance to enjoy a classic example of the golden age of British horror. Especially considering that this is his directorial debut. And although Robert Young never went on to reach any particular creative heights—having shifted almost entirely to television and direct-to-video—the starting point of his career turned out to be quite respectable. And if it weren’t for the demise of Hammer Studios in the mid-70s, I think he could have achieved considerable success on their staff, especially since he was a good fit for their creative style (well, despite the nudity on screen, which Hammer always ruled out). The rest of the creative team behind *Cirque des Vampires* also didn’t go on to achieve much of note, with the exception of screenwriter Vilub Stark, who helped produce the legendary Carpenter film *The Thing*. It’s somewhat awkward to even talk about the cast, since most of them were regulars on Hammer’s “low-budget” productions . The only exception is Adrienne Corey, who played the gypsy. Prior to this, she had shone in such significant films as Kubrick’s *A Clockwork Orange* and Lee’s *Doctor Zhivago*, and she wasn’t seen in any obvious trash films afterward, so her participation in this movie is quite intriguing.

The plot of *The Vampire Circus* is simple, just like all of Hammer’s productions. In an English village, a vampire count lived peacefully, sipping blood and seducing other men’s women. The villagers weren’t too happy about this, so they decided to impale the count with an aspen stake—which they successfully did, dragging him out of bed with yet another mistress. But before he died, the count swore to return and take revenge on his enemies and their descendants. Fifteen years later, a circus arrives in the village with incredible acts: a panther that transforms into a handsome young man in mid-leap; bats that become acrobats; a tiger that turns into a muscular guard. The children are thrilled, but the elders begin to notice all sorts of oddities, and eventually become convinced that this circus has come here not to entertain the masses, but to resurrect the count and fulfill his curse.

As you can see for yourselves, the synopsis isn’t anything special, but that’s not why we’re returning to the legacy of the legendary film studios of the mid-20th century. Watch and enjoy this indescribable atmosphere. It may smell a bit musty, but it’s truly unlike anything else out there.