At a circus where deformed performers take center stage, just as much happens behind the scenes as in the ring. Here you’ll find some of the most original beings ever to walk the earth. The dwarf Hans (Harry Earles) is engaged to another dwarf, Frieda (Daisy Earles), but falls in love with the trapeze artist, the wicked Cleopatra (Olga Baclanova). Cleopatra, however, prefers the circus’s “strong man” Hercules (Henry Victor), and together they hatch a devious plan. Hans is a wealthy little dwarf, and with marriage—and a little poison—the inheritance could be theirs.
“One of us, one of us! Gooble gobble, Gooble gobble! We accept her, we accept her! One of us, one of us!” echoes in one of cinema’s most famous and notorious scenes, and one of Freaks’ finest moments.
Freaks is nothing less than the most controversial film in history. Not only was it censored and heavily cut, it also destroyed Tod Browning’s career and was banned in England for thirty years. Browning became a legend after directing Dracula in 1931. The following year, he made Freaks—and ruined his own career. Studios no longer dared to hire him, and when he directed Mark of the Vampire in 1935, he wasn’t even credited. Freaks was heavily censored, originally running 90 minutes, but early test audiences reacted with disgust, and the film was cut by over 30 minutes. Sadly, the missing footage is believed lost forever, meaning we will likely never see the complete version of this masterpiece. A shame, indeed. Additionally, an introductory text and a new ending were added to soften the impact.
What makes the film so remarkable is its use of real “freaks”—no special effects, apart from one specific scene where artificial means were necessary. The film opens with a statement explaining that such people would no longer be born thanks to advances in science and medicine—an idea that feels especially poignant when watching the performers: a man with no arms or legs lighting a cigarette with only his mouth, Siamese twins, a bearded lady, a half-man half-woman, and more. Many original actors dropped out of the film, either feeling it was immoral or unwilling to star alongside the circus performers.
Today, Freaks is rightfully regarded as a masterpiece. It’s a powerful and unsettling viewing experience with a strong message about society’s treatment of those who are different—a lesson that still resonates today. The only flaw is that the film feels slightly incomplete, unsurprising given the missing footage. Alternative endings were added to soften the story’s conclusion, which works, although some of the shock value is lost.
Regardless, Freaks is a film everyone should experience at least once. It is truly a unique masterpiece. Hail to Tod Browning for having the guts to create a film of such calibre—something you certainly don’t encounter every day.
About The Author
