This Hammer film about vampires is not great, but it does have some things going for it. The story takes place in the early 1800s; a vampire’s curse affects a Serbian village, and fifteen years later, a creepy circus of vampires and their followers arrives seeking to bring back an evil Count by using the blood of young people from the village. “Vampire Circus” (made between 1971 and 1972) is a lesser-known Hammer film made during a time when they weren’t at their best. It isn't as well done as films like “Countess Dracula” or "The Vampire Lovers," although it does offer more shocking moments. The movie feels older than earlier Hammer Dracula movies, such as “Dracula, Prince of Darkness,” “Dracula Has Risen from the Grave,” and “Taste the Blood of Dracula.” If you can overlook its cheap feel and kitschiness, there’s still plenty to enjoy for those who like classic Gothic horror. As is typical, the colors are vivid, and the female actors stand out. Domini Blythe plays Anna, the vampire's assistant in the opening scenes; Adrienne Corri portrays the Gypsy ringmaster; Christine Paul appears as Rosa, who is attracted to the Count’s relative; Lynne Frederick is Dora, a young and innocent character; and Lalla Ward plays the acrobat twin, Helga. It seems that later films like “Something Wicked this Way Comes” (1983) and “Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant” (2009) drew inspiration from "Vampire Circus." The film is an hour and twenty-three minutes long and was filmed at Pinewood Studios in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England. GRADE: C+/B-

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