Watch The Show of Shows

The Show of Shows is a unique documentary film released in 2015, directed by Benedikt Erlingsson. It features a collection of circus acts, vaudeville performances, and variety shows spanning over 100 years. With no narration or interviews, the film solely relies on its archival footage, showcasing the evolution of circus and performance arts over the years.

The film opens with a quote from the famous circus impresario P.T. Barnum, "The noblest art is that of making others happy." The statement sets the tone for the movie, as it captures the essence of circus and performance art. The Show of Shows takes the audience down a nostalgic path, celebrating the beauty of circuses, and how they have evolved into modern-day entertainment.

The movie is divided into several segments, each portraying a different period in circus history. The earliest footage is from the early 1900s, when circuses were a popular form of entertainment. The black and white footage captures performers such as acrobats, strongmen, and clowns, who are depicted as rough and tumble characters. These performers would go on to shape the future of the circus.

As the film progresses, we see the shift towards performance arts, like vaudeville and cabaret. Dancers and singers became the centerpieces of the performances, with minimal circus-like elements. This move towards performance arts allowed for more creativity and opened the doors for female performers who were once excluded from traditional circus acts.

Another segment features footage from the circus' golden era, which started in the 1930s and ended in the 1960s. During this time, the circus became more extravagant, and acts like the highwire, trapeze, and tightrope walking added a sense of danger to the performances. The film also showcases the use of animals in circus acts, including elephants, lions, and tigers. These acts add an emotional element and further enhance the spectacle of the circus.

One of the most celebrated acts of the circus, the human cannonball, is also showcased in the film. The audience will see how the act evolved over time, from a crude launch to a more sophisticated mechanism, designed for both the safety and the perfect acrobatic display.

As it nears the end, the film touches on how the circus started to decline in popularity, with audiences preferring other forms of entertainment. Nevertheless, The Show of Shows seeks to remind the audience of the beauty of the circus, of how it was once considered the greatest show on earth. The film ends with a quote from the famous novelist and playwright, W. Somerset Maugham. "The sense of the tragedy of human life imbues with a strange beauty," which perfectly sums up the films takeaways.

Overall, The Show of Shows is a mesmerizing trip down memory lane, with its beautifully curated archive footage, accompanied by perfectly scored music. The film not only celebrates the art of circus and performance but also acts as a reminder of the evolution of entertainment as we know it. Even if one is not a fan of the circus, this documentary will still leave a lasting impression on the audience.

The Show of Shows is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 16 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.