As connoisseurs of cinematic mayhem, we watch films for many different reasons. More often than not we'll sit down with a flick seeing it as nothing more than disposable entertainment. We don't think much about it before we begin watching and we don't carry it around with us when we are finished. Now, I'm not downplaying this type of entertainment, it's an extremely valuable form of escapism and a much needed break from the ills of society. I guess you know where I'm heading with this one. In addition to the disposable, there are the more artistic endeavors. The films that offer more on an aesthetic front, speak to society and address important issues and even more so than this - films that make us think. Films that stay with us long after we have finished watching them, sometimes, never leaving us at all. The classics. Have you ever seen a little film called FREAKS?

Directed with much chutzpah by Tod Browning (Bela Lugosi's Dracula) FREAKS is a monument of early cinematic brilliance. Way ahead of its time; Bold, shocking, emotional - needless to say a brilliant film, and at just about 62 minutes, leaves you wanting more no matter how many times you have seen it. The story of a circus sideshow and the 'misfits' who inhabit it is simply timeless and holds up just as well today as it ever has. At the center of our story are little people Hans and Frieda who are engaged to be married. Only problem is Hans is in love with normal sized trapeze artist Cleopatra. Hans showers Cleopatra with gifts and lends her money whenever she asks. While Hans won't readily admit his love for Cleopatra (to anyone, particularly himself), it's undeniably there. Frieda fears she is in danger of losing Hans, and eventually she does.

Once Cleopatra finds out about a substantial amount of money Hans is sitting on, she goes for the jugular (with the help of her secretive strongman boyfriend - Hercules), convincing Hans to leave Frieda. Once the society of 'freaks' learn of Cleopatra's intentions, they band together to seek retribution, in what stands today as one of cult cinema's most memorable, jaw dropping finales. In addition to the Hans/Frieda plotline, many of the 'freaks' themselves are given subplots. There's the misfit clown Phroso and his love intentions, Siamese twins Daisy and Violet Hilton and their love interests and 'pinhead' Schlitze, just to name a few. You'll almost feel guilty for not slipping the carnival barker a quarter through your TV.

There's no doubt that through the runtime of FREAKS, many if not most of the 'misfits' are paraded around for the viewers astonishment. But to Browning's credit, the whole affair is handled with much class and respect. Since Browning has a history with the circus and sideshows he used his experiences in making this landmark motion picture. In regards to the 'freaks' themselves, no matter how different each one of these obscurities may be, as 'misfits,'they have banded together and formed their own 'society.' They are constantly teased and mistreated - so they stick together; all they have is each other. Not just presented as 'odd' we see each of them in their daily lives (eating, tending to chores, building relationships, working etc.), allowing the point to really hit home - they are indeed people and in this story, the good guys (and gals).

This marks the first appearance of FREAKS on DVD and the outcome couldn't have been any more pleasing. While FREAKS will never be a show piece for your home entertainment system, I've never seen this film look this good. Deep blacks, solid shades of gray and minimal print damage. For a film of this age and history, FREAKS looks simply fantastic. Fans couldn't have really asked for anything more. The mono audio, while a bit choppy at points is also quite respectable, and the inclusion of optional English subs is a major plus as well.

Extras include an optional text prologue added for a thearical reissue, 3 alternate endings (hosted by author David J Skal) and an hour long retrospective entitled Freaks - The Sideshow Cinema with comments by historians, industry insiders etc. Finally, there is a feature length commentary with David J Skal author of Dark Carnival - The Secret World of Tod Browning (which is a highly recommended read BTW). Both the commentary and retrospective are valuable additions to the feature. While Skal tends to spout off factoids like there's no tomorrow, his extensive knowledge is valuable and undeniable. Kudos for the change in cover art as well, I think the previous VHS edition I owned gave away one of the final shots of the film. Warner's does not disappoint as they show much love to one of the greatest cult cinematic achievements of all time. I cannot recommend this release enough, it's sure to please.