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| Jim Dembkoski's Horror Review #7 - Freaks (1932) |
 "We will make you...we will make you...one of us...one of us."… is a famous line from one of the most notoriously famous horror movies of the 30’s, (that wasn’t made by Universal Pictures). The 1932 film Freaks, banned by many countries for over 30 years due to the fact that the ‘freaks’ in the film are honest-to-goodness circus freaks, is actually a very compelling story. A midget named Hans adores Cleopatra, a haughty carnival trapeze artist. Cleopatra teases Hans along, while having an affair with strongman Hercules. When Frieda, Hans’ fiancée, lets it slip that Hans is to come into an inheritance, Cleopatra and Hercules plot to get it by having Cleopatra marry Hans. The truth is discovered at their wedding reception, and the freaks take matters into their own hands, where those who have wronged them learn the extent of the ‘Code of the Freaks’. Freaks works well as a pure horror film, but because many of the actors are true ‘freaks’, it’s a horror film that will tug on your heartstrings. Watching the freaks in the film go about their daily routines, suffering constant indignation and cruelty for simply being different, can definitely give you an appreciation for what you have in life. The freaks realize that they only have themselves they can trust and rely on, and from this is born the ‘Code of the Freaks’…to insult one, is to insult them all. Gentle and kindhearted as the freaks are throughout the film, the enforcement of the Code by the freaks creates a powerfully horrific climax that will stay with the viewer for a long time. This film has three alternate titles: Forbidden Love (1932), The Monster Show (1932), Nature's Mistakes (1932). The DVD version has three alternate endings along with a documentary, Freaks: Sideshow Cinema.
The Good: Seeing actual freaks as the actors lends tremendous credibility to a film that was made decades before CGI was even a glimmer in a computer programmers eye. It’s hard not to feel for the freaks, and you won’t be satisfied until you get to finally see their revenge. All things considered, the actual acting by the freaks is incredibly well done.
The Bad: I know it’s the 1930’s, but damn, a circus strongman should at least have SOME muscles. The actor playing Hercules is built like an accountant.
The Ugly: The result of the freaks revenge. Chicken is one of my favorite foods, but I stuck to beef and pork for a few days after seeing the finale.
Pictures:
Overall rating:  out of 5 mutants
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