Vampire Circus (1971)

80% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
63% of users liked it
(1,395 ratings)

Though not as widely known as Hammer's popular Dracula and Frankenstein series, this is one of the studio's more stylish and intelligent projects. The tale is set in 17th century Serbia in the tiny burg of Stettel, whose residents live in fear of an encroaching plague. The frightened villagers… More Though not as widely known as Hammer's popular Dracula and Frankenstein series, this is one of the studio's more stylish and intelligent projects. The tale is set in 17th century Serbia in the tiny burg of Stettel, whose residents live in fear of an encroaching plague. The frightened villagers welcome the arrival of a colorful traveling troupe dubbed "Circus of Nights," unaware that the visiting entertainers pose a far more deadly threat: the entire company is composed of shape-shifting vampires capable of transforming themselves into animals to stalk their prey. The group's leader, the most powerful monster of the bunch, has returned to the village to exact revenge on those who murdered his cousin one hundred years earlier. Less a standard Hammer monster melodrama than a surreal journey through dark fantasy (reminiscent of Jean Rollin's erotic vampire series), with an unexpected (but not entirely inappropriate) surplus of nudity and bloodletting. The film's creepy highlights include the chilling extended prologue and scenes of vampire trapeze performers transforming into bats in mid-leap. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 24 min.
Directed By: Robert William Young, Robert Young
Written By: George Baxt, Judson Kinberg
Genres: Horror, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1972 Wide
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Critic Reviews

Staci Layne Wilson, Horror.com
[There are heros, but] it's the villains who really shine and shimmer in this sinister little carnival fable.
Bill Gibron, PopMatters
Erotic, grotesque, chilling, bloody, suspenseful, and loaded with doom and gloom atmosphere, this is the kind of experiment in terror that reinvigorates your love of the scary movie artform.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Gory, cliched, silly and inventive.
John Beifuss, Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
Hammer's most elusive Gothic horror movie contains frequent nudity, but its arthouse kinkiness -- its hints of pedophilia, bestiality and incest -- offers a more likely explanation for its limited distribution than its exposed skin.
Bryant Frazer, Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus
Never recovers the concentrated erotic-violent high ground of [its] delirious overture, which stands as a wildly entertaining example of over-the-top horror filmmaking.

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Featured Audience Ratings

David L

"Vampire Circus" is, in my opinion one of Hammer's best vampire efforts outside of "Horror of Dracula," and "Dracula, Prince of Darkness." This movie has wonderful atmosphere, rather good special effects for it's day, effective performances, and… More
"Vampire Circus" is, in my opinion one of Hammer's best vampire efforts outside of "Horror of Dracula," and "Dracula, Prince of Darkness." This movie has wonderful atmosphere, rather good special effects for it's day, effective performances, and a good plotline not to mention that classic, lush Hammer cinematography. This is a superior vampire story and it is handled well. ***Spoilers ahead*** The story opens when a man observes his young bride leading a child off toward the castle of Count Rittenhouse, a tyrannical ruler who is feared by all of his subjects. Alarmed, he summons the men of the village and finally persuades them to attack Rittenhouse and free the child. Apparently, this has happened more than once in the village as the men finally overcome their fears and agree to storm the castle. Once inside though, the men find that they have stumbled onto more than they bargained for. Count Rittenhouse is more than just a madman. He is a mad vampire. A battle ensues in which the men of the village finally get the best of Rittenhouse by staking him in the back. As the vampire lies dying, he pronounces a curse upon the village to the effect that the men who slew him will die, as well as their children, "to give me back my life." Fifteen years later, the Circus of Nights comes to town featuring a bizzare cast of characters and rather scandalous entertainment. By now the town has fallen under a plague connected with the curse of Count Rittenhouse and is quarantined by its fearful neighbors. The circus has supposedly come to bring life back to the village, although, as time goes on, we see that they have really come to bring death to the village, and life to a certain vampire lying in the ruins of his castle crypt. If you enjoy Hammer films or just vampire films in general, "Vampire Circus" is a must-see. For those of you who have seen it, it is well worth seeing again, although be warned, if you have never seen the uncut version, you might just be surprised. This movie was made when Hammer was going through its own sexual revolution and there are three scenes in which nudity is a factor although, in my opinion, "Vampire Circus" is not quite the "flesh-fest" production that "The Vampire Lovers" or "Countess Dracula" were. If you haven't seen this film, it's well worth the time. If you have seen it and don't remember it or you're afraid that it might not be as good as you remember, you've got a real treat coming.
Steve K

Awesome Hammer is awesome.
Robert C

One of my favorite Hammer films and possibly one of my favorite vampire moivies.

Cast

            Domini Blythe as Anna Mueller

            John Moulder-Brown as Anton Kersh

            Anthony Corlan as Emil

            Adrienne Corri as Gypsy Woman

            Lynne Frederick as Dora Mueller

            Dorothy Frere as Grandma Schilt

            Sean Hewitt (II) as First Soldier

            Skip Martin as Michael

            Laurence Payne as Prof. Mueller

            David Prowse as Strongman

            Robin Sachs as Heinrich

            Elizabeth Seal as Gerta Hauser

            Serena as Female Dancer

            Barnaby Shaw as Gustav Hauser

            Thorley Walters as Burgermeister

            Richard Owens as Dr. Kersh

            Jane Darby as Jenny

            Robin Hunter as Hauser

            Sibylla Kay as Mrs. Schilt

            Arnold Locke as Old Villager

            Christina Paul as Rosa

            Robert Tayman as Count Mitterhouse

            Lalla Ward as Helga

            Mary Wimbush as Elvira

            John Bown as Schilt

            Jason James as Foreman

            Anthony Higgins
            
See full cast