Review of Freaks (1932) by Unknown H — 23 Jan 2011

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.