Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

"Vampire Circus" has received generally high reviews, but it is really nothing more than a run-of-the-mill horror flick on a subject that has been done to undeath. Having said that, it is worth watching. It begins with a young virgin being lured away by a servant of the undead. Virgin as in too young to even mention the word sex. Once inside the castle, her fate is sealed, but one of the villagers manages with some difficulty to recruit a posse to storm the castle and kill the wicked count. No, not that count.With his undying breath he curses them all and vows he will return. Fast forward fifteen years, and the circus comes to town. There is a bit more to it than that, but not a lot more. We see the usual themes: mirrors in which the undead don't reflect, crucifixes, skeptics, and a bit of cleavage for those who are more interested in live women than dead men.

I first saw this movie years ago in a chopped-up edited for television form, although I was recently able to see it in what looks like its complete version.I remember distinctly that Vampire Circus got terrible reviews in the 1970s. Our TV Guide rated it at ZERO stars, but time seems to have softened that harsh criticism of the time, and it's now regarded as a semi-classic.It's got the great look and feel of classic Hammer horror, and it gets by without Lee, Cushing and the rest. David Prowse makes an appearance as the strongman, one of the few times you see him not heavily made up. For what it's worth, the script is actually a little better than some other more highly regarded horror films.While it's not the best thing Hammer ever produced, you'll want to see it at least once if you're a fan of those movies.

***MIGHT INCLUDE SPOILERS!***Here it is! A great horror film from the sexy and wild 1970's! No slow build-up! The film even begins with the typical end of a Gothic horror movie, but after that, there is no slow segment of character development. As soon as one villager says "- ...Vampires only exist in legends..." we hear the sounds and noises from the vampire caravan! The film has unusually many characters for us to deal with and many we care of. It is fantastic! Delivers horror and vampire scenes in loads! As soon as the thrills and creepiness are over, we are exposed to sensual or right down sexy scenes! Romantic take on creepy looking vampires as if they would like to take you along on this very unchristian ride! The stunning thing in this film is that the vampires seem to gladly victimize the young, really just children! A vampire has a beautiful erotic scene with a woman slave! A gorgeous panther man and a huge magnificent tiger, the crazy but witty dwarf, the silent strong man, the womanleader of the circus (Corri's best filmrole!) A plague causing a village to go quarantine! Never a dull moment! A seminude woman in reptileskin in an animalistic supersexy dance scene! Beautiful girls and women! Psychic sibling twins that are transformed into bats! The Darth Vader actor! The Mirror of Life...a mirror that...No, I won't tell you! Pleasure mixed with blood, bloodsuckers and wild animals! Seduction of the underage! Colorful acting! You care as much for the poor villagers as you do for the sexy and beautiful vampire men and women! Highly imaginative film making! It actually engages us to enjoy these satanic things! If you feel that Hammer films bore you! Forget it! This is it! Give it a special viewing! The film has ONLY sex, boobs, sensual lovemaking, blood, chock, ugly vampires, nudity, violence, heads, the mocking laughter of the nasty vampires, thrills, mutilations, vampire stakings, huge fangs, corpses, eyeballs, wonderful 70's colours, great music and atmosphere! AND a 2 seconds scene where a mans shadow is transformed into a black panther in the middle of the stairs..This is a classic! If you don't like it, you either don't like horror films or your libido hasn't matured yet! Wonderful! I Must see it at least once a year!

For really solid entertainment, Vampire Circus never fails. It is a B movie with a limited budget, but the sheer imaginativeness and verve with which it is told overcomes any deficiencies.The first ten minutes of the movie already give us violence and nudity with themes of incest, pederasty, necrophilia, bondage, promiscuity and sadism all thrown in - a glorious, twisted romp. The movie goes on to leave no perversion unvisited in a story which moves along swiftly but with the trademark Hammer leisurely camera moves. Also trademark is the fine ensemble cast who give the impression of thoroughly enjoying themselves. The movie is modern insofar as one's sympathy lies largely with the vampires. The acting is largely good with occasional naive performances from young players; Lalla Ward is a standout. The story is inventive at every point and consistently surreal.Never an art movie, this schlock horror is one of the most inventive and artistic of all horror films. Unburdened by aesthetic sensibilities, it is one of the most beautiful and imaginative vampire films. Along with 'Captain Kronos, 'The Vampire Lovers' and 'Twins of Evil', it stands as an example of the late Hammer achievement of films that are lasting examples of fine, enjoyable storytelling. Few films are as much fun.