Featured Audience Ratings

• Jeff "

  
  Classic horror director Tod Browning's Freaks is a benchmark horror picture that has been praised for being a truly unique horror film. The controversy around this is quite legendary and before its release got cut significantly in an attempt to censor its content. Director Tod… More
  Classic horror director Tod Browning's Freaks is a benchmark horror picture that has been praised for being a truly unique horror film. The controversy around this is quite legendary and before its release got cut significantly in an attempt to censor its content. Director Tod Browning used real sideshow performers with real deformities as a basis for his cast. In turn, Freaks has an authentic feel to it that if you really think about is quite horrifying and ultimately unsettling. This is a well executed picture that was banned and vilified and it ended the career of a promising director who's most famous work was Dracula starring Bela Lugosi. With every horror film that has been released since, it's hard to think that Freaks caused such astir upon release. If you love classic horror films, then give this one a shot. By today's standards it's a fairly harmless movie, but for horror fans that want to watch a classic piece of horror history, this is a must see film that will certainly appeal to genre fans. The film is very good, but will not appeal to everyone. However, fans should appreciate this gem for what it is, and there are some good performances here, and the tone of the movie is disturbing and it makes for quite the viewing experience. I think it's too bad that the film cost Browning's career, as you only imagine what other classic he could have made. Freaks is not perfect, but in terms of classic horror cinema, it is a picture that helped shape the genre for years to come. The fact that Browning has used real people with deformities is what has made this one stand out above other films, and it is what makes this picture so unique and shocking the process.

• Spencer S

  
  A pre-code horror film from legendary director Tod Browning, Freaks lives on in infamy for its perverse message, timeless lines, and use of circus sideshow freaks at the height of their fame. At the time Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey circuses made it a point to include freak… More
  A pre-code horror film from legendary director Tod Browning, Freaks lives on in infamy for its perverse message, timeless lines, and use of circus sideshow freaks at the height of their fame. At the time Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey circuses made it a point to include freak shows along with an animal tent and the three ring big tops of yore. These "freaks" were often well paid and lived their retirement years very comfortably, especially those lauded as the most unusual such as conjoined twins, human torsos, and giantesses. In the film many of the most famous and well paid freaks in the country were cast, including Prince Randanian, and the Doll Family, including Dolly and Harry Earles as the couple torn apart by Cleopatra's obnoxious money hungry plot with strongman Hercules. The main focus of the film is that the freaks are regarded as trifle oddities and not true people by the villainous Cleopatra, and she is hunted down and paid for the crimes she commits against a dwarf who looks eerily like a small boy but is actually a full grown man. The film itself is very progressive in showing these sideshow performers not just as regular people, but also showing the hurt inflicted by those with little thought for others' feelings in a time without political correctness. It was interesting to watch the many feats of the performing freaks, those afflicted with problematic birth defects, and the now defunct lives of freak show performers, today not prevalent in society because most states ban freak shows from operating. The film doesn't build successfully to the final hideous climax at the end, because the rest of the film focuses on the characters as people and not monsters. None of them seem able to do the deed attributed to Cleopatra's downfall and therefore it's an unbelievable premise. Their creepy chanting at the wedding banquet and the steely resolve in their eyes as the thunder rips across the sky is believable but doesn't make sense, and deserved some of that iconic chanting. The beginning half of the film is unusually trimmed in humor, and includes a love story between an aerialist and a clown. The ending isn't even very horrific, but instead comical, and the additional prologue they tacked on was more confusing than anything. Even the beginning spiel that introduces the film is morose and certainly insulting to the performers. Iconic and interesting, but not the horror classic I was expecting.

• AJ V

  
  This is a very cool movie. It has real people from circuses and a great story. The mixture of authenticity and a fantastic story makes for such a great movie.

• Graham J

  
  A very odd film that forces everyone who sees it to confront their prejudices.

• Antony S

  
  A cracker, shame it's so scissored (down to only an hour). But what's left is perfecto, a movie that couldn't me made today (or if it was, it'd be cloyingly manipulative). Why Browning gets credit much more for the very boring Dracula iover this, I'll never… More
  A cracker, shame it's so scissored (down to only an hour). But what's left is perfecto, a movie that couldn't me made today (or if it was, it'd be cloyingly manipulative). Why Browning gets credit much more for the very boring Dracula iover this, I'll never know. This flick also sports my favourite tagline ever: "can a grown woman truly love a midget?". All mutant cast as well, no punches pulled.

• Tim S

  
  A magnificent piece of cult celluloid. I love this film. I love the controversy surrounding it...I love the fact that Tod Browning used real freaks of nature for the film...and I love that the film is my own personal collection. :)

• Unknown H

  
  I think that this movie, although impossible by today's standards of human rights and regulations, is one of the saddest films I have ever seen. The first time I watched it I did cry and with a film that has appeared on so many "disturbing" lists since it was made in… More
  I think that this movie, although impossible by today's standards of human rights and regulations, is one of the saddest films I have ever seen. The first time I watched it I did cry and with a film that has appeared on so many "disturbing" lists since it was made in 1936 I was not expecting to be so moved. The basis of the story revolves around a freak show, with genuinely deformed people replacing actors with special effects make up, which is why it caused so much controversy. At the heart of Freaks is a love story between a midget named Hans and a trapeze artist named Cleopatra. I thought although they were not actors by trade the cast delivered wonderfully and a movie where a man rolls, lights and smokes a cigarette with no arms or legs, that also bares the tagline "Can a fully grown woman ever truly love a midget?" is a good movie in my opinion and is why I have the poster for this film on the wall in my kitchen.

• jd c

  
  A circus' beautiful trapeze artist agrees to marry the leader of side-show performers, but his deformed friends discover she is only marrying him for his inheritance. The shock ending alone is enough to rate this movie 5 stars. That was such a nightmarish climax. It'll… More
  A circus' beautiful trapeze artist agrees to marry the leader of side-show performers, but his deformed friends discover she is only marrying him for his inheritance. The shock ending alone is enough to rate this movie 5 stars. That was such a nightmarish climax. It'll stick with me forever. The only thing that sucks about this film is that it's 1 hour and 5 minutes long. I didn't want this film to end. It's pure genius. Freaks is an emotional disturbing tale of loneliness, seclusion, ridicule, and sweet, sweet revenge. A rare breed of a horror film. Both touching and creepingly demented. A flawlessly brilliant classic in every sense of the term. <a href="http://s294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/JDHallowEEn/HorrorQf/?action=view&current=Freaks.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/JDHallowEEn/HorrorQf/Freaks.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

• Chris W

  
  It's really pretty hard to categorize this one, as it has it all: shocks, scares, humor, sweetness, and an undeniable "message". As a cult classic, it is a landmark. As a film in general, it is also a landmark, chiefly because of Tod Browning's decision to cast… More
  It's really pretty hard to categorize this one, as it has it all: shocks, scares, humor, sweetness, and an undeniable "message". As a cult classic, it is a landmark. As a film in general, it is also a landmark, chiefly because of Tod Browning's decision to cast real people with deformities instead of using special effects and makeup. I really liked some of the lighting, framing, and camera work on display. They really added to the atmosphere of things. Not for all tastes. but definitely one to check out of you're in the mood for something odd.

• Mark H

  
  Landmark cult film about the relationship between a long legged trapeze artist named Cleopatra and Hans, the dwarf she marries. Uncategorizable film is creepy and disturbing, but also touching and sweet. What makes this film so unique is director Tod Browning's controversial… More
  Landmark cult film about the relationship between a long legged trapeze artist named Cleopatra and Hans, the dwarf she marries. Uncategorizable film is creepy and disturbing, but also touching and sweet. What makes this film so unique is director Tod Browning's controversial step in casting real people with deformities as the so-called sideshow "freaks," rather than using costumes and makeup. However it is these performers that come off as trusting and honorable, while two of the "normal" members of the circus are portrayed as the real monsters. Although certainly one of the most unusual films ever produced by a major Hollywood studio, the message of sympathy and acceptance is admirable. The well publicized revulsion with which audiences originally greeted this film seems unjustified. A fascinating movie that remains a curious oddity.

• Fernando Rafael Q

  
  Touching, effective and ocasionally creepy, FREAKS's controversy and banning can be understood. The film poses a harsh critique to the human condition and our treatment of disabled people. Ahead of its time, powerful and entertaining. The scene with the titular "freaks"… More
  Touching, effective and ocasionally creepy, FREAKS's controversy and banning can be understood. The film poses a harsh critique to the human condition and our treatment of disabled people. Ahead of its time, powerful and entertaining. The scene with the titular "freaks" in the rain is chilling.

• Anthony L

  
  An excellent film! There is no other film like it and I doubt there ever will be again. You and I are the freaks, the guy with no arms or legs is the normal one is the message but at the end of the day we are all capable of wrong doing (Adultery, punching a half man half woman in the… More
  An excellent film! There is no other film like it and I doubt there ever will be again. You and I are the freaks, the guy with no arms or legs is the normal one is the message but at the end of the day we are all capable of wrong doing (Adultery, punching a half man half woman in the face, revenge, etc). I absolutely love the ending but am confused about the woman turning into a big chicken. A great film!

• Jani H

  
  "Gooble Gobble! Gooble Gobble! One of us!" I'm sure that 'Freaks' was a very controversial film when it came out. There's no special make up effects, Tod Browning has used persons with real deformities. It actually works very well, even better than… More
  "Gooble Gobble! Gooble Gobble! One of us!" I'm sure that 'Freaks' was a very controversial film when it came out. There's no special make up effects, Tod Browning has used persons with real deformities. It actually works very well, even better than modern horror movies. 'Freaks' isn't really a horror movie though. But at times I felt kinda sorry for the characters, the way they were portrayed. The camera loved a bit too much their disabilities. The so called normal people were obnoxious but the "freaks" had heart. The pacing of the movie is really good but the duration of the film is only an hour long.The story is very simple but yet effective. It's all about love, simple as that. You just have to suffer a bit before you get it... As before mentioned, some sources call this a horror movie. Only the few last minutes could be said to contain horror elements. The final scene, when the "freaks" take justice to their own hands, is very effective. Nicely done. 'Freaks' is nearly 80 years old. Saw it for the first time now and can truly say that many modern films aren't nearly as good as this one. Without any higher expectations, I enjoyed 'Freaks' a lot. But I'm pretty sure that most of you, especially those who have been raised watching remakes and spoofs, won't enjoy 'Freaks' as much as I did. Will probably hate it. Classic, I say!

• Jennifer D

  
  Really pushed the terror factor...

• Jason S

  
  This is one creepy flick. The fact that all of the "freaks" were 100% real is amazing. The ending is awesome.

• Jennifer X

  
  Creepy and engrossing. The scene where armless/legless man lights the cigarette never fails to amaze me.

• Lafe F

  
  A classic shocker of a movie which employed real-life freaks to add to the phenomenon. It's a bit unsettling to watch, because most of them are real people. It felt as if they were being exploited in the making of this film. There's also a dramatic comparison made of a… More
  A classic shocker of a movie which employed real-life freaks to add to the phenomenon. It's a bit unsettling to watch, because most of them are real people. It felt as if they were being exploited in the making of this film. There's also a dramatic comparison made of a beautiful woman who is a freak on the inside; and lets her bitchiness ruin the fun for many. The ending is tragic and fascinating.

• Dr Blood  

  
  Not for everyone's tastes, but there are scenes of immense power that stand-up strongly to modern "shock" pictures.

• Cindy I

  
  The question to ask yourself -- who are the freaks? The deformed but kind circus people or the sinister but "normal" people who betray them?

• Michael G

  
  No CGI here kids. All freak, baby.

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