Berserk! (1967)

Berserk! (1967)

“This circus is jinxed! It’s becoming a nightmare — I keep wondering and thinking, who’s next?”

Synopsis:
A rash of gruesome murders at a circus owned by ringleader Monica Rivers (Joan Crawford) brings a Scotland Yard detective (Robert Hardy) onto the scene to investigate.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • Carnivals and Circuses
  • Joan Crawford Movies
  • Murder Mystery
  • Serial Killers
  • Strong Females

Review:
This disappointing murder mystery — best known for starring a well-preserved 63-year-old Joan Crawford — ultimately provides few genuine thrills, and fails to live up to its campy potential. While Crawford is clearly enjoying playing yet another “strong female” — an independent woman who easily attracts and beds men of all ages — the script simply doesn’t do her character justice. And though the identity of the serial killer is nearly impossible to guess, this is less a function of cleverly written suspense than of outright improbability; revelations are tossed out in the final scenes of the movie which make little sense given what’s come before. Unlike in Tod Browning’s masterful Freaks (1932), the scenes in this film involving circus “misfits” — including a bearded lady, a “skeletal man” (whose body is never shown!), and a midget — are exploitative and badly written.

In addition, the occasional scenes showing various circus animal acts go on too long, and don’t fit in with the thrust of the narrative; given that this is a story about backstage machinations, we really don’t need to see so much of the circus itself — though I’ll guiltily admit that the poodle act was my favorite scene in the entire film.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • Still-sexy Joan Crawford, doing her best in a sub-par movie
  • The circus poodle act — ultimately more interesting than the rest of the film!

Must See?
No. I’m not sure why Peary lists this as a “must see” in the back of his book — I’m assuming it’s because of Crawford’s late-life performance, but you’re better off watching her in true camp classics such as What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) or Strait-Jacket (1964).

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One thought on “Berserk! (1967)

  1. Unless you’re hell-bent on seeing every Joan Crawford movie (and I know ‘you’re’ out there), this is not a must. Even ‘Trog’ (JC’s last feature film, 3 years later) has more to offer. (Of course, don’t tell my friend Tom that. If you even imply that ‘Berserk’ is maybe one to miss, there will be a pause, perhaps a faux icy stare, and a slow “Every…Joan Crawford…movie…is…a…must. …Period.”) Its main problem as camp is that it all feels so labored. Yes, there are some laughs (not aimed for) but not at all like those derived from such consistently uproarious JC camp classics as ‘Female on the Beach’, ‘Queen Bee’ and ‘Strait-Jacket’, all of which (unlike ‘Berserk’) have lots to delight time and again. I’ve seen ‘Berserk’ a few times, each time seeming more of a chore. Though a first viewing is not a total waste of time–Joan could pretty much be depended on for giving 100%–it’s rather trivial, with little payoff.

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