Freaks

Freaks

            In Browning’s Freaks, the circus freaks are characters that are unnatural or not normal to a human’s perception. There are many ways that Browning chooses to film different scenes in the movie to get the audience to view the freaks as real people, but as the film goes on, the freaks develop a cult-like feel, and eventually turn on Cleopatra to turn her into a chicken. There are also ways in which Browning draws parallels between World War I returning soldiers and the freaks.

            Within the first few scenes Browning depicts the freaks as regular circus acts and shows them living in their cabins. There are also many scenes that focus on the way those freaks without limbs do common actions, like drinking champagne or lighting a cigarette. This is perhaps an attempt to make the audience connect with the freaks as everyday people who may look a little different than what is considered normal.

            Once Cleopatra marries Hans and they are at their celebration, the freaks are the only people invited except for Hercules, Cleopatra’s lover. At this celebration, Cleopatra and Hercules spend their time making fun of the freaks but when the freaks start to chant, “One of us!” about accepting Cleopatra, she freaks out, pun intended. At this point during the movie, I personally felt as if the freaks were acting like a cult in their chanting. They further prove this type of mentality when helping Hans get back at Cleopatra for poisoning him. In a modern version of a similar theme, the show American Horror Story – Freak Show portrays the same cult like experience. The audience is made to view the freaks in this way and therefore distances the audience from the freaks because they are unable to understand such a strong group alliance.

            During the last scene of the movie, the freaks turn of Cleopatra after finding out that she has been discretely poisoning Hans in order to inherit his fortune. The scene is long and drawn out as the freaks are crawling through the mud in order to mutilate both Cleopatra and Hercules. This scene is eerie because Browning focuses on the way the freaks that are missing limbs crawl through this mud. Because it takes such a long time, the audience is forced to stare at the “evil” circus people in this story as they are going to attack.

            This scene also shows parallels between World War I and the way soldiers would have to crawl through the mud to advance their position. It also represents soldiers in some ways because some of the freaks are missing limbs. Many soldiers came back from World War I missing several parts of their bodies. The third parallel that can be interpreted through this scene and almost the entire movie is the way the freaks feel about their fellow freaks. They are a family and if you mess with one of them you mess with them all. There is often a strong bond between soldiers that share as well, “No man left behind.”

            Freaks was an interesting way to portray several different themes throughout the film. Attempting to create a bond with the audience, showing the true nature of the freaks and how they take care of their own and how that compares to returning veterans from World War I.