CIRCUS OF FEAR/FIVE GOLDEN DRAGONS REVIEWED
“Circus of Fear” follows Christopher Lee as a disfigured lion tamer/possible bank robber. A detective case at the circus is ripe for period piece hi-jinks. Klaus Kinski shows up as a heavy, but this really isn’t his film. Lee battles with Leo Genn, as each party tries to stay ahead of each other. The film was diced up for American release, but I don’t see how those initial audiences could’ve followed the film. This is a crime thriller that moves at a slow pace with everything onscreen playing a part in the final reveal. It’s lesser Lee and Kinski, but it works for cult audiences.
“Five Golden Dragons” is a movie that happened. Christopher Lee plays a gold masked criminal overlord that doesn’t show up until the final act of the film. Bob Cummings stumbles around as the American lead, as so many cult stars trot in and out of the film. Klaus Kinski’s hitman character is fun, but I’m not sure if he belonged in Five Golden Dragons. Kinski and his fellow hitmen just exist to push the plot further. While this film hit in the later Connery years, I can’t help but wonder why everyone didn’t try to spot check their espionage fiction. Oh well, it’s still fun.
SPECIAL FEATURES
- Commentary
- Trailers
- Galleries
A/V STATS
- 1.66.1 1080p transfer (Circus of Fear), 2.35:1 1080p transfer (Five Golden Dragons)
- DTS-HD Mono
RELEASE DATE: 6/28/16
