Bound
By Flesh (2012/MPI/Sundance Selects DVD)
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: B- Documentary: B
Leslie
Zemeckis' Bound By Flesh (2012) is a thought provoking
documentary that explores the origins of the circus sideshow and
focuses heavily on two conjoined twins named Daisy and Violet Hilton
who rose to superstardom in the sideshow circus world. They even
performed alongside Bob Hope, Charlie Chaplin and transcended the
stereotypes of being a sideshow performer. Released by Sundance
Selects, this high profile documentary is a must if you are
interested in the strange and unusual.
American
sideshows were in fairs, circuses and carnivals. There were acts
such as glass blowers, musicians, and also the freaks. Most freaks
just stood there while the audience wondered past. The Hilton
Sisters however were trained to put on an engaging act. They sang,
they danced and played a variety of musical instruments and as a
result became hugely popular. Bound By Flesh explores the
American sideshow, its origins and its heyday when the Hilton Sisters
were on display for huge streams of crowds pouring into the tent to
get a glimpse of these fetching sisters. The film includes
interviews with Ward Hall, known as the King of the Sideshow. He is
the last of the sideshow promoters in the style of a P.T. Barnum.
The
documentary is cleanly made with high production value and
interesting interviews. The transitions between images mixed with
animation are expertly done and the subject matter doesn't quite get
old during the 90 minute run time. Beyond the subject matter of
Sideshows, what this documentary really does is show the
transformation of the entertainment industry in the early part of the
last century which is pretty fascinating.
Sound
and Picture on the disc are standard for the DVD format sporting a
standard definition transfer in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen and a
lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 track. Extras include:
Additional
Interviews
The
Making of Bound By Flesh
Audio
Interviews
Photo
Gallery
Trailer
If
you are into documentaries or the subject matter then this is a must
see.
-
James Harland Lockhart V
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv
