Tedfoldol
everything you have heard about this movie is true.
Baseshment
I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.
Forumrxes
Yo, there's no way for me to review this film without saying, take your *insert ethnicity + "ass" here* to see this film,like now. You have to see it in order to know what you're really messing with.
Martin Bradley
Despite winning Chaplin an honory Oscar in 1928 "The Circus" isn't really regarded as one of his great comedies and yet it has got some great visual gags as well as a little less sentimentality than some of his later films. Of course, there's still a girl who needs rescuing, in this case from her tyrannical father, and once again he's The Tramp, bringing as much humanity as slapstick to his routines and confirming his status as one of the greatest of all screen actors and not simply a great comic. The circus setting was, of course, his tribute to clowns everywhere so while this may indeed be minor Chaplin it is nevertheless a deeply affectionate picture and an essential part of the Chaplin canon.
huntermcintyre
I thought that Charlie Chaplin's the circus was an above average film. For a film released in 1928 it was directed excellently. The cuts and starts of the film were timed perfectly and it seemed that the film seemed to flow seamlessly due to it. The writing was also done very well everything in the film seemed to make sense and keep me at least interested for a large majority of the film. The acting was excellent. Even though it is a silent film I knew what the characters meant the whole time. Overall I think that the film was very well done especially considering the time period.
adrian-43767
I am still of the time when parents would trot out Chaplin short reels and project them on a wall for kids to see the Tramp overcome the vagaries of life, and the mortal coil of poverty. In Mozambique, then a Portuguese colony, in 1972, there was a retrospective of Chaplin's work, and I chose to watch two movies, my favorite Chaplins ever since: THE CIRCUS and MODERN TIMES.THE CIRCUS obviates Chaplin's incredibly athletic abilities, and his ballet-like sense of the comic. The scene where he mimics a clockwork figure that keeps hitting one of Chaplin's pursuers and laughing as part of the mimicry, all to fool a watching policeman, is one of the most brilliant comedy pieces ever, and I shall always feel humbled by the genius that pervades that sequence. The Tramp is the ultimate survivor and he picks up his paycheck by tending to animals and engaging in circus acts, all rather mechanically, until he meets the female lead played by Merna Kennedy, and suddenly he finds a meaning to things, and develops the type of generosity toward a fellow human being that love alone can generate.In between, there are many wonderful moments to enjoy, as Chaplin's acting and directorial skills have seldom been more inspired. Unfortunately, the film ends all too soon but - its ending is one of the most truthful I have ever seen - and Chaplin's reaction perhaps the greatest closing shot ever.At the time of writing this review, THE CIRCUS is about to turn 90 years old, but its themes, views, and comic touches remain fresh, thought-provoking, and a pleasure to return to. Congratulations, the great Master!
e-derubertis
The Circus was the first silent film I ever watched. Before I watched it I thought I would fall asleep if there wasn't going to be any sound. Surprisingly, I was fully awake through the entire movie and actually ended up really enjoying it. I love how simple it was and with that it was easy for everyone to laugh through out the film. I love how exaggerated Charlie Chaplins acting was, since there is no sound or verbal jokes to make you laugh, you laugh at his facial expression, the way he walks and moves about. My two favorite scenes in the movie were when he is being chased in the fun house and when he hears that Merna is in love, and assumes its him she loves. I was surprised at how it ended but also pleased. I thought he was going to chase the train down so he would still have a job. Instead he walks away from it and moves on with his life.
