The other day I went to see Tod Browning's controvertial 'Freaks'. Released in 1932, it caused disorder in cinema's around the world and was consequently banned in the UK for thirty years. One women in the US even claimed that this film caused her to miscarry and tried to sue the studios.
The sensationalist reaction to this film was because of Tod Browning's decision to cast people with deformities - rather than use make up and camera magic - as the circus 'freaks'. At the time of release, audiences could not see past the abnormalities of those cast as the circus 'freaks' to see that the real story was based on the 'freaky' aspect of human nature itself.
Browning choose to portray the circus side-show 'freaks' as good natured, moralistic and trusting, in complete opposition to the 'non-freaks' who are shown to be greedy and conniving. Suggesting that being a 'freak' is not linked to the outward appearance of the body, but with a lack of morality.
The film was edited many times for a version to be acceptable for the viewing audiences of the time but each cut was received as negatively as the last. Today, however, 'Freaks' is enjoying its deserved cult status.
Am not sure if we have changed the way we think - it is just that people now have to be more politically correct.
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