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The Circus (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

Merna Kennedy (Actor) Rated:
G
Format: Blu-ray
4.8 out of 5 stars 210 ratings
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Genre Comedy, Classics/Silent Films
Format Blu-ray
Contributor Merna Kennedy
Language English
Number Of Discs 1
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From the manufacturer

The Circus cover

The last film Chaplin made during the silent era—an uproarious high-wire act that showcases silent cinema’s most popular entertainer at the peak of his comic powers

Monkeys

Plate

Chase

Product Description

In the last film he made during the silent era, Charlie Chaplin revels in the art of the circus, paying tribute to the acrobats and pantomimists who inspired his virtuoso pratfalls. After being mistaken for a pickpocket, Chaplin’s Little Tramp flees into the ring of a traveling circus and soon becomes the star of the show, falling for the troupe’s bareback rider along the way. Despite its famously troubled production, this gag packed comedy ranks among Chaplin’s finest, thanks to some of the most audacious set pieces of the director performer’s career, including a close brush with a lion and a climactic tightrope walk with a barrelful of monkeys. Rereleased in 1969 with a new score by Chaplin, The Circus is an uproarious high wire act that showcases silent cinema’s most popular entertainer at the peak of his comic powers. BLU RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES • New 4K digital restoration of Charlie Chaplin’s 1969 rerelease version of the film, featuring an original score by Chaplin, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack • New audio commentary featuring Charlie Chaplin biographer Jeffrey Vance • Interview with Chaplin from 1969 • New interview with Chaplin’s son Eugene Chaplin • In the Service of the Story, a new program on the film’s visual effects and production design by effects specialist Craig Barron • Chaplin Today: “The Circus,” a 2003 documentary on the film, featuring filmmaker Emir Kusturica • Excerpted audio interview with Chaplin musical associate Eric James • Unused café sequence with new score by composer Timothy Brock, and related outtakes with audio commentary by Chaplin historian Dan Kamin • Newly discovered outtakes featuring the Tramp and the bareback rider • Original recording of the film’s opening song, “Swing, Little Girl,” by Ken Barrie • Footage of the 1928 Hollywood premiere • Rerelease trailers • PLUS: An essay by critic Pamela Hutchinson

Product details

  • MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ G (General Audience)
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 2.82 ounces
  • Media Format ‏ : ‎ Blu-ray
  • Release date ‏ : ‎ September 24, 2019
  • Actors ‏ : ‎ Merna Kennedy
  • Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ English
  • Studio ‏ : ‎ The Criterion Collection
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07T7CND8V
  • Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars 210 ratings

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4.8 out of 5 stars
210 global ratings

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ONE OF CHAPLIN’S GREATEST FILMS
5 out of 5 stars
ONE OF CHAPLIN’S GREATEST FILMS
This review is for the Criterion Collection 2019 blu Ray release of Charlie Chaplin’s 1928 film, ‘The Circus’ (Also available on DVD).For decades, ‘The Circus’ was dismissed as a lesser Chaplin film, coming as it did between his great epic ‘The Gold Rush’ (1925) and his beloved masterpiece ‘City Lights’ (1931). Contributing to its lesser reputation was the fact that Chaplin withheld the film for forty years, ostensibly because of the myriad personal and professional problems he endured while making it.In 1968, with twenty-five years of marital happiness behind him, Chaplin revisited the film, creating a new opening credit sequence, composing a new musical score and song (which he sang) and successfully re-releasing it to theaters.The Circus was one of the first films released on home video in 1978 (VHS and Beta). Image Entertainment brought out a special edition 12” Laserdisc in 1993 followed by their DVD in1998. Warner Home Video put out a new edition in 2003. With each new disc came bonus features, some retained, others discarded and replaced with new ones. Such is the case with the 2019 Criterion blu ray.This one comes with a fantastic 4K restoration. That alone makes this a must have. But the new features are especially fine. Among them: Chaplin biographer Jeffrey Vance gives another outstanding commentary. In one fascinating featurette, Oscar wining visual effects artist and film historian Craig Barron explains the special effects and introduces the viewer to the Bell and Howell 2709 camera. This was the camera used by Chaplin’s cinematographer Roland (Rollie) H. Totheroh. In another, Eugene Chaplin is interviewed at the family estate in Corsier-sur-Vevey. Also included is a Chaplin interview from 1969.Holdovers include the ‘Chaplin Today’ documentary from 2003, footage from the 1928 premiere, outtakes from a deleted sequence (presented by film historian David Shepard on the 1998 DVD, presented by comedy choreographer Dan Kamin here) and a completed version of the sequence edited by Kevin Brownlow and David Gill from their fantastic documentary ‘Unknown Chaplin’ (1983). That documentary featured excellent music composed by Carl Davis. That music is not used here but the good news is the new music is provided by the always outstanding Timothy Brock, using themes from Chaplin’s score.With this 4K restoration ‘The Circus’ can now rightly take its place as one of Chaplin’s greatest films.And it comes highly recommended.
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Top reviews from the United States

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  • B. A. Nilsson
    5.0 out of 5 stars At the Circus
    Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This was Chaplin's follow-up to "The Gold Rush," a difficult production that included a fire at the studio that required many scenes to be re-shot. But the movie remains a hilarious classic, with all of the elements you seek in a Chaplin movie: fast-paced gags, thrill moments, romance, and a note of pathos at the finish. This is the 1969 re-release of the silent movie, featuring Chaplin's own music score (including the somewhat cringe-worthy opening song, "Swing Little Girl," that he wrote and sang). Deleted scenes and plenty of supplements round out the package.
    Helpful
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  • JTP
    5.0 out of 5 stars ONE OF CHAPLIN’S GREATEST FILMS
    Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This review is for the Criterion Collection 2019 blu Ray release of Charlie Chaplin’s 1928 film, ‘The Circus’ (Also available on DVD).

    For decades, ‘The Circus’ was dismissed as a lesser Chaplin film, coming as it did between his great epic ‘The Gold Rush’ (1925) and his beloved masterpiece ‘City Lights’ (1931). Contributing to its lesser reputation was the fact that Chaplin withheld the film for forty years, ostensibly because of the myriad personal and professional problems he endured while making it.

    In 1968, with twenty-five years of marital happiness behind him, Chaplin revisited the film, creating a new opening credit sequence, composing a new musical score and song (which he sang) and successfully re-releasing it to theaters.

    The Circus was one of the first films released on home video in 1978 (VHS and Beta). Image Entertainment brought out a special edition 12” Laserdisc in 1993 followed by their DVD in1998. Warner Home Video put out a new edition in 2003. With each new disc came bonus features, some retained, others discarded and replaced with new ones. Such is the case with the 2019 Criterion blu ray.

    This one comes with a fantastic 4K restoration. That alone makes this a must have. But the new features are especially fine. Among them: Chaplin biographer Jeffrey Vance gives another outstanding commentary. In one fascinating featurette, Oscar wining visual effects artist and film historian Craig Barron explains the special effects and introduces the viewer to the Bell and Howell 2709 camera. This was the camera used by Chaplin’s cinematographer Roland (Rollie) H. Totheroh. In another, Eugene Chaplin is interviewed at the family estate in Corsier-sur-Vevey. Also included is a Chaplin interview from 1969.

    Holdovers include the ‘Chaplin Today’ documentary from 2003, footage from the 1928 premiere, outtakes from a deleted sequence (presented by film historian David Shepard on the 1998 DVD, presented by comedy choreographer Dan Kamin here) and a completed version of the sequence edited by Kevin Brownlow and David Gill from their fantastic documentary ‘Unknown Chaplin’ (1983). That documentary featured excellent music composed by Carl Davis. That music is not used here but the good news is the new music is provided by the always outstanding Timothy Brock, using themes from Chaplin’s score.

    With this 4K restoration ‘The Circus’ can now rightly take its place as one of Chaplin’s greatest films.

    And it comes highly recommended.
    Customer image
    JTP
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    ONE OF CHAPLIN’S GREATEST FILMS

    Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2020
    This review is for the Criterion Collection 2019 blu Ray release of Charlie Chaplin’s 1928 film, ‘The Circus’ (Also available on DVD).

    For decades, ‘The Circus’ was dismissed as a lesser Chaplin film, coming as it did between his great epic ‘The Gold Rush’ (1925) and his beloved masterpiece ‘City Lights’ (1931). Contributing to its lesser reputation was the fact that Chaplin withheld the film for forty years, ostensibly because of the myriad personal and professional problems he endured while making it.

    In 1968, with twenty-five years of marital happiness behind him, Chaplin revisited the film, creating a new opening credit sequence, composing a new musical score and song (which he sang) and successfully re-releasing it to theaters.

    The Circus was one of the first films released on home video in 1978 (VHS and Beta). Image Entertainment brought out a special edition 12” Laserdisc in 1993 followed by their DVD in1998. Warner Home Video put out a new edition in 2003. With each new disc came bonus features, some retained, others discarded and replaced with new ones. Such is the case with the 2019 Criterion blu ray.

    This one comes with a fantastic 4K restoration. That alone makes this a must have. But the new features are especially fine. Among them: Chaplin biographer Jeffrey Vance gives another outstanding commentary. In one fascinating featurette, Oscar wining visual effects artist and film historian Craig Barron explains the special effects and introduces the viewer to the Bell and Howell 2709 camera. This was the camera used by Chaplin’s cinematographer Roland (Rollie) H. Totheroh. In another, Eugene Chaplin is interviewed at the family estate in Corsier-sur-Vevey. Also included is a Chaplin interview from 1969.

    Holdovers include the ‘Chaplin Today’ documentary from 2003, footage from the 1928 premiere, outtakes from a deleted sequence (presented by film historian David Shepard on the 1998 DVD, presented by comedy choreographer Dan Kamin here) and a completed version of the sequence edited by Kevin Brownlow and David Gill from their fantastic documentary ‘Unknown Chaplin’ (1983). That documentary featured excellent music composed by Carl Davis. That music is not used here but the good news is the new music is provided by the always outstanding Timothy Brock, using themes from Chaplin’s score.

    With this 4K restoration ‘The Circus’ can now rightly take its place as one of Chaplin’s greatest films.

    And it comes highly recommended.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    11 people found this helpful
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  • Sergio A.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Me encanta
    Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Me gustó mucho esta edición. Llegó a tiempo y en excelente condición.
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  • Just me
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This completes my Charlie Chaplin collection!

    This one features the Tramp character tramping around...you guessed it at a circus. After being mistaken for a pickpocket and trying to evade the cops, the Tramp stumbles into a new career as a circus performer.

    There is a love triangle between him, a trapeze lady and a handsome tightrope walker. This is all complicated by a ruthless and controlling father.

    The ending might be my favorite of all of his movies. It simultaneously beautiful, hopeful and sad.

    This one contains all of the depth and warmth that I've come to expect from his films. I have most enjoyed; the Kid, the Great Dictator, Limelight and of course The Circus! Highly recommend!
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Frank Frey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Chaplin's "The Circus": A Must Have
    Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    "The Circus" is a terrific film. Chaplin uses laughter and pathos and succeeds brilliantly. The scene wuth the monkeys is especially funny. The special features are both interesting and fun. One should own this DVD not only because of the film but because of the outstanding special features especially the interview with Chaplin, the information of the visual effects provided by Craig Barron, facts on locations by John Bengston, and Eugene Chaplin on growing up with his father. I highly recommend "The Circus".
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Jonathan I.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great value
    Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    The audio and video are first rate, and it plays in my USA player. This movie is hard to find, so I'm very happy with this purchase.
    One person found this helpful
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  • A Movie Lover
    4.0 out of 5 stars Domestic violence scenes are disturbing.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I didn't like the domestic violence scenes. Seeing the father punching and slapping his daughter around was a real bummer. The father and owner of the circus was a real jerk which was made sufficiently evident in many scenes; no need to hit the viewer over the head with the abusive treatment of his daughter. It was jarring and took some of the fun out of watching Chaplin do his thing. Otherwise the movie was a tour de force for Chaplin and the other performers; very entertaining with lots of physical comedy.
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  • jdshald
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Supplement Videos on the DVD
    Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I absolutely love this movie but I was surprised at how good the supplement videos are on this dvd. Deleted scenes with excellent commentary, interviews with the music arranger and his son who shows off chaplin's home and the museum in Sweden.
    11 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • s_watanabe
    5.0 out of 5 stars チャップリンのサイレント佳作が2019年4Kレストア盤で登場！
    Reviewed in Japan on September 12, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    *【以下結末に触れています】

    邦題『サーカス』

    放浪者チャーリー(チャールズ・チャップリン)は、スリと間違われて警官に追われ、サーカスのテントへ逃げ込む。そこでは、ちょうど道化師たちの演目が行われていたが、警官に追われたチャーリーが巻き起こす大騒動は、道化師たちそっちのけで観客に大ウケ。それを見たサーカス団長は、チャーリーに道化師の素質ありと見込み、彼と専属契約を結ぶのだが…。

    チャップリン監督、脚本、主演によるサイレント作品。1969年の再公開時に、チャップリンが、自身で作曲し、歌った”Swing Little Girl”が冒頭クレジット前に挿入された。

    チャップリンのサイレント期の長編の中で、『黄金狂時代』と『街の灯』という稀代の傑作に挟まれているせいか、本作は、どこか影が薄いところがある。実に丁寧に作られてはいるのだが、チャップリンの他の長編に比べると、忘れられがちなのは確かだろう。

    もちろん、サーカスを舞台にしているので、道化としてのチャップリンの笑いは、存分に発揮されていて申し分なし。先輩道化師たちから演目の段取りを手取り足取り教えてもらう場面など、絶妙の呼吸と間合いのギャグで笑わせてくれるし、綱渡り(子ザルに執拗に邪魔される！)やライオンの檻に入る身体を張った笑いとスリルがブレンドされた場面なども(当時、現場で撮影を見学する機会を得た牛原虚彦監督によると、すべてチャップリン自身が演じているそうだ)、チャップリンならではだろう。また、冒頭の遊園地という舞台での鏡の迷路を使ったアイデアも、『上海から来た女』や『燃えよドラゴン』に先駆けるもので、視覚的にもギャグの装置としても実に素晴らしい。―という具合で、個々の場面の完成度は非常に高く、とても印象に残るのだが、不思議と作品全体を有機的に結びつけていない感じがし、本筋のプロットも弱い(チャーリーが、思いを寄せるブランコ乗りの少女から手を引き、恋敵のために手を貸す)。『黄金狂時代』や『街の灯』が持つ作品全体を貫くエモーションが足りないと言ったら良いだろうか。

    また、チャーリーの孤独がいつも以上に強調されて、憂愁の度合いも深い。作品のラストで、チャーリーは、自分のマーナ(マーナ・ケネディ)への恋心を隠し、ハンサムな綱渡り芸人のレックス(ハリー・クロッカー)と結婚させて二人を祝福する。まるで、ルッジェーロ・レオンカヴァッロのオペラ『道化師』のカニオのように、顔で笑って、心で泣くという道化ぶりだ。そして、土埃を立てながら、次の土地へと移動して行くサーカスのワゴンの長い列をただ一人ぼんやりと見送る。そして、一人また放浪を求め、チョコチョコと歩き始めるチャーリーのお馴染みの後ろ姿で終わるのだが、そこには、『モダン・タイムス』で、ポーレット・ゴダード演じる少女と腕を組んでと二人で歩き出すささやかな希望というものは全く感じられず、孤独だけが滲んでいる。

    映画人の私生活とその作品とは別物だとは承知しているものの、撮影中の私生活の数々の問題―母親の死、セットの倒壊、リタ・グレイとの離婚…など―が、本作の暗く物寂しいメランコリックな作風と無関係だとは言い切れないだろう。ましてや、繊細なチャップリン作品となれば、その作り手の気持ちの揺れが、作品に反映されたとしても全く不思議ではない(自伝『チャップリン自伝 栄光の日々』でも、本作に関しては、タイトルを出すだけに留めていて、チャップリン自身、どこか触れることを避けているかのようだ)。

    作品としての欠点や弱さが感じられはするが、そういったチャップリンのごく普通の人間的な憂いや暗さが垣間見えるということが、かえって親近感と愛着を覚えさせる一本だ。

    本Blu-rayは、2019年に、Roy Export S.A.Sが所蔵する第2世代の35mmデュープ・ネガを基本とし、その他の状態の良いフィルム素材を使って、伊チネテカ・ディ・ボローニャで4Kフィルム・スキャン、レストアされて作られた仏MK2のHDマスターを使用。1969年の再公開版になる。キズ、パラもほとんど取り除かれ、諧調の豊かさ、深さ、ディテール表現の細やかさとも概ね素晴らしいが、異なった素材を使っていることもあり、場面によっては、甘めの画質になったりする。

    リニアPCMの伴奏音楽も、明瞭そのもの。

    特典として、下記のものが収録。米Criterionならではの盛りだくさんの特典だ。

    ●チャップリン伝記作家ジェフリー・ヴァンスによるコメンタリー
    ●1969年に行われたチャップリンへのインタビュー(5分17秒)
    ●チャップリンの息子ユージーンへのインタビュー(14分54秒)
    ●”In the Service of the Story”映画研究家クレイグ・バロンによる作品解説(20分31秒)
    ●2003年製作のドキュメンタリーChaplin Today: “The Circus” (26分32秒)
    ●1998年に行われたチャップリンの音楽アシスタント、エリック・ジェームズへのインタビュー抜粋音声(9分55秒)
    ●”A Ring for Merna”ティモシー・ブロックの伴奏のよる未公開カフェ場面とコメディアン、ダン・カミン解説による関連未公開場面 (7分29秒)
    ●”Stepping Out”未公開場面 (編集版 9分52秒 / 未公開場面29分42秒)
    ● “Swing Little Girl”作曲映像 (5分12秒)
    ●1928年のハリウッド・プレミア上映映像(6分37秒)
    ●予告編集(5分20秒)

    映画評論家パメラ・ハッチンソンによるエッセイが書かれた冊子も同梱。

    本Blu-rayは、北米盤ながら、日本同様、R-A仕様なので、日本のBlu-rayプレーヤーで問題なく視聴可能だ。

    2016年にKADOKAWAから発売された日本盤は、残念ながら、仏MK2から提供された旧HDマスターを使用しているので(こちらもそこまで悪い画質ではないが)、本作のファンは、やはり本盤を手に入れるべきだろう。
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  • M.W.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Dvd Circus Noel
    Reviewed in Germany on July 6, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Der Film ist sehr gut für Teenies, ist nur sehr schade das er nicht in Deutsch ist ,ich hoffe das das noch kommt.
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  • R. J. Muirhead
    5.0 out of 5 stars Classic
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 29, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent picture quality, first class unique Criterion extras. A Charlot classic.
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  • Mélanie Grenier
    5.0 out of 5 stars ok
    Reviewed in Canada on December 26, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    ok
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  • Philip Moore
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
    Reviewed in Australia on August 20, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Chaplin is a genius in this film doing his own stunts and how it got it made in the documentary is fascinating. I saw the film with a Live Orchestra at the film festival in New Zealand. I loved it so much I had to buy this criterion and I am glad I did. The special features are amazing and the transfer and restoration is incredible.
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