Iconic Donald Pleasence Horror Movie Is Now Streaming for Free, But It’s Not Halloween

While it is undeniable that one of Donald Pleasence‘s most iconic movies is Halloween, there is one other horror movie that fans of the actor ought to see. Luckily for them, the movie is now available to stream for free on Shout! Studios’ official YouTube channel.

Circus of Horrors is available to watch for free on the channel, along with a slew of other horror movies, right in time for spooky season. The 1960 British horror film was directed by Sidney Hayers, who has also directed such features as Night of the Eagle, The Trap, and Three Hats for Lisa. The screenplay for the movie was written by George Baxt, who was also the scribe for Night of the Eagle. He also penned the Christopher Lee film, The City of the Dead, which was also released in 1960.

Apart from Pleasence, the movie starred some of the most recognizable actors of the time, including Anton Diffring, Erika Remberg, Yvonne Monlaur, Jane Hylton, Jack Gwillim, Vanda Hudson, Yvonne Romain, and William Mervyn, among others.

What is Circus of Horrors with Donald Pleasence about?

Circus of Horrors follows Dr. Rossiter, played by Diffring. He is a plastic surgeon on the run from the law. He runs away to France and acquires a circus by allowing the owner, Vanet (played by Pleasence), to be mauled to death by a dancing bear. Rossiter then recruits a woman who is also a criminal on the run. He surgically alters her face and begins to train her. The doctor also begins recruiting criminals who are disfigured. He promises to fix their appearance as long as they are loyal to him.

Circus of Horrors is lumped with two other films that explore similar themes: Horrors of the Black Museum and Peeping Tom. Dubbed the Sadian trilogy, the movies focused more on themes surrounding human capacity for violence, in stark contrast to supernatural horror movies that were also receiving a lot of traction at the time.

Originally reported on ComingSoon.net.