6.5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
A perfectly executed heist leads to murder and mayhem at a traveling circus. After thieves pull off a precisely-timed robbery, one of the crooks is stabbed to death. When Inspecter Elliott is assigned to the case, his search for the stolen cash leads him into the Barberini Circus. The criminal's body is discovered and a circus member is murdered - both victims of the same phantom killer. Elliott becomes caught up in the lives of the performers, whose private jealousies and indiscretions lead him through a labyrinth of clues to the location of the money and the killer...
Starring: Christopher Lee, Leo Genn, Anthony Newlands, Eddi Arent, Klaus KinskiHorror | 100% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Mystery | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.67:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.66:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
John Moxey's "Circus of Fear" a.k.a. "Psycho-Circus" (1966) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of independent U.S. distributors Blue Underground. The supplemental features on the disc include original trailers for the film; large collection of promotional materials; and archival audio commentary with director John Moxey, moderated by David Gregory. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
The man with the disfigured face
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.67:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, John Moxey's Circus of Fear arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Blue Underground.
The release is sourced from a new 2K restoration of the film which is quite impressive, but the technical presentation is underwhelming. Indeed, it appears that after the original negative was scanned and some previously cut footage reinstated various denoising adjustments were applied. I do not wish to speculate why, but there are segments from different parts of the film where the effects can easily be spotted. Sometimes they impact depth, but elsewhere it is fluidity that isn't as convincing as it should be. During select close-ups the flatness that is associated with these types of adjustments also emerges and causes anomalies (see screencapture #13). The good news here is that colors are healthy and properly saturated. Overall image stability is also outstanding. Contrast levels remain stable throughout the entire film. There are no debris, scratches, cuts, damage marks, or any other serious age-related imperfections. Ultimately, I would prefer to have these new 2K restorations that emerge via Blue Underground free of denoising adjustments. This film and the recent restorations of the Jess Franco The Girl From Rio and Eugenie would have looked a lot more impressive without them. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).
There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional yellow English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.
Despite being shot with a fairly small budget, the film has a surprisingly active sound design. For example, Johnny Douglas' intense score energizes the film very well and in some areas actually makes it look like a lot more ambitious project (see the long opening sequence). During the action footage intensity and balance are also managed well. The dialog is very crisp, clear, and easy to follow.
John Moxey's Circus of Fear is one of two films produced by Harry Alan Towers that are included in this new Blu-ray release from Blue Underground. I much prefer the second film, Jeremy Summers' Five Golden Dragons, as it is a lot more outlandish and colorful. Circus of Fear has its moments, but it is instantly forgettable.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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