The public rebelled against Freaks and rejected the film; in the UK it was banned for decades. Today it is considered a horror classic
For the uninitiated, "Freaks" is a 1932 precode film by Tod Browning about a circus sideshow.
The film used supporting actors with actual malformations in the cast, an extremely controversial choice that led to the film being banned in the UK, nations around the world and out of circulation in the US for decades.
On the one hand, the idea that people with disabilities were used as fodder for entertainment is incredibly sad and disturbing: it was a dark period in history.
But on the other hand, the film itself was on the side of these "freaks" and many of them were incredible entertainers in their own right and deserved a chance to shine on the big screen.
And it should be noted that many worked in these jobs because they were denied employment in the "normal world."
[Image](https://www.espinof.com/cine-clasico/cine-y-polemica-freaks-la-parada-de-los-monstruos)
"Anyone who considers this entertainment should be committed to the pathology ward of some hospital" "There is no excuse for this movie. It took a weak mind to produce it and it takes a strong stomach to watch it." "outrageous attack on the audience's feelings, senses, brain and stomach."
It was the critics' comments on its release and it quickly became a "cursed film" until the end of the 20th century when it gained a critical reappraisal and increased popularity as it began to be considered a cult film in Europe, leading to renewed interest among American audiences.
