Review of Freaks (1932) by Dan B — 24 Sep 2009
Banned in the UK for over 30 years, Freaks is one of the most remarkable films ever made, walking a fine line between exploitation and humanistic plea for tolerance; one part social message to two parts EC comics style horrific vengeance.
Hugely influential and though some allowances must be made for a certain creakiness inherent in an early talkie peopled with stock players, the two most celebrated sequences (the wedding feast and the climactic crawl through the mud) have lost none of their power.
(The ending has been frequently imitated, but never bettered.) But perhaps most remarkable of all is the documentary aspect, a record of the 'sideshow' and the people in it, Browning's camera focussing on such simple acts as eating and drinking without the use of arms, walking without the used of legs, and lighting a cigarette without the use of either.
Mandatory viewing (or at least it should be).
This review of Freaks (1932) was written by Dan B on 24 Sep 2009.
Freaks has generally received very positive reviews.
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