Watch Berserk!

Berserk! is a 1967 horror thriller movie directed by Jim O'Connolly and starring the legendary actress Joan Crawford, Ty Hardin, and Judy Geeson. The movie tells the story of Monica Rivers (Crawford), a glamorous circus owner who is struggling to keep her circus profitable and competitive in the midst of waning public interest. Her circus is called "Monica Rivers' Grand Guignol," and it specializes in violent and macabre spectacles that shock and titillate audiences.

Berserk! begins with a ghoulish performance at the circus, with a young female volunteer being subjected to a medieval torture exhibit. The evil looking chief clown, played by Sydney Tafler, is clearly enjoying the spectacle, but then the unthinkable happens. The girl ends up dead, and Monica rushes in to investigate. The girl is identified as Angela, one of the circus performers, and it's revealed that she had a secret admirer who had been sending her love letters.

As the performances continue, more murders occur, each of them connected to the circus. The killer is revealed to have a keen interest in Monica, and is committing the murders in an effort to get her attention. The police are brought in, but the carnage continues. The suspense builds as Monica tries to uncover the killer's identity and stop them before it's too late.

The pace of Berserk! is fast and gripping, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the audience engaged. Crawford is in top form, delivering a performance that shows her range as an actress. At times, she is icy and aloof, but she also has moments of vulnerability and fear. Hardin is her dashing love interest, while Geeson plays her daughter and also serves as the voice of reason in the midst of madness.

The circus setting is used to great effect in Berserk!, with the filmmakers seizing the opportunity to showcase death-defying stunts, creepy clowns, and exotic animals. There are scenes of lions attacking their trainers, aerialists performing acrobatics high above the audience, and a terrifying sequence in which a car full of passengers drives around the inside of a giant steel cage. The Grand Guignol is a place where anything can happen, and where audiences can indulge in their darkest fantasies.

The killer's identity is a mystery throughout much of the film, and the filmmakers keep the audience guessing until the end. There are plenty of suspects, including the handsome reporter investigating the crimes, a jealous rival circus owner, and even Monica's own daughter. The final reveal is a satisfying payoff, tying up loose ends and giving the audience a sense of closure.

But Berserk! is more than just a thriller. It's a commentary on the dangers of fame and the consequences of unchecked desire. Monica is a woman who has been consumed by her need for success, and she is blind to the dangers lurking in the shadows. The murders that occur within the circus are a reflection of the dark side of human nature, and the need for extreme experiences to feel alive.

Berserk! has stood the test of time as a classic horror film, with a compelling story, vibrant characters, and truly unsettling moments. The circus atmosphere adds a layer of grotesqueness and excess to the proceedings, making the whole experience feel somehow surreal. Fans of the horror genre will find plenty to love in this forgotten gem, while newcomers will be drawn in by the sheer force of Crawford's performance.

Berserk! is a 1968 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes.