Freaks 1932 #movienight #movies #horror
“Freaks,” directed by Tod Browning and released in 1932, is a pre-Code horror film that has since become a cult classic. The film, set in a traveling circus, explores themes of beauty, normalcy, and the human condition through the lives of its unique cast of characters.
The story centers around a group of circus performers, many of whom have real-life physical deformities. The central plot involves the beautiful trapeze artist Cleopatra and her scheme to marry and murder the circus midget Hans for his inheritance. Cleopatra, in cahoots with the strongman Hercules, seduces Hans, who is infatuated with her despite being engaged to the kind-hearted Frieda, another little person in the circus.
As Cleopatra’s plan unfolds, the audience is introduced to various sideshow performers, referred to as “freaks.” These include conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton, the limbless Prince Randian, the “Half-Boy” Johnny Eck, and others. Despite their physical differences, these characters display strong bonds of loyalty and community, contrasting sharply with the cruel and superficial Cleopatra and Hercules.
The pivotal moment occurs during the wedding feast when the circus performers accept Cleopatra as one of their own, chanting, “One of us, one of us, gobble, gobble.” Cleopatra’s disgusted reaction to this acceptance foreshadows the dark turn of events. After the wedding, Hans becomes seriously ill, and it is revealed that Cleopatra is poisoning him. When the circus performers discover the plot, they band together to exact their revenge.
The film’s climax is both dramatic and eerie. During a rainstorm, the performers confront Cleopatra and Hercules. Cleopatra’s fate is particularly gruesome; she is mutilated and transformed into a “human duck,” a grotesque creature with a feathered body and webbed feet, showcased as a sideshow attraction. Hercules’ fate is implied to be equally dire.
“Freaks” ends with a final scene where Hans, now wealthy but heartbroken, lives in isolation. Frieda visits him, offering forgiveness and a reminder of the love and acceptance he once had within the circus community.
“Freaks” was highly controversial upon its release, banned in several countries and severely edited for others. However, its portrayal of the circus performers with empathy and humanity, combined with its shocking conclusion, has earned it lasting acclaim. The film challenges viewers to reconsider their perceptions of normalcy and monstrosity, ultimately highlighting the cruelty of those who judge based on appearances alone.
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