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The Greatest Show on Earth (1952) Reviews

The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
Member Rating:  
Cecil B. DeMille's The Greatest Show on Earth is a lavish tribute to circuses, featuring three intertwining plotlines concerning romance and rivalry beneath the big top. DeMille's film includes spectacular action sequences, including a show-stopping train wreck. The Greatest Show on Earth won Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Story. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

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Starring:
Betty Hutton, Cornel Wilde, (more)
Director(s):
Cecil B. DeMille
Format(s):
DVD  | Digital SD
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Average Ratings

(10 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Shannon B.

Charlton Heston may be the headliner, but Jimmy Stewart steals the show. This movie is mostly a soap opera at the circus. Heston gives his standard stiff delivery to circus manager Brad, whose love triangle with Holly and Sebastian (two competing but lusting trapeze artists) seems juvenile and unsympathetic. *The Greatest Show on Earth* is saved by two things: (1) the behind-the-scenes look at the massive circus machine is truly mind-boggling, and (2) Stewart makes cinematic magic out of the circus clown with a secret. Although he occupies the perimeter of much of the movie's action, he's the most memorable, subtle, surprising, and tragic part about it. As in the real circus itself, the clowns steal the show.

Yes   |   No


Cliff T.

Wow! They sure don’t make movies like this anymore. This Cecil B. DeMille spectacular captures the spirit of the “Greatest Show on Earth” with the all thrills, chills, and spills under the big top. Great acting by the macho actors (Heston,,Wilde ) and beautiful actresses (Hutton, Grahame, and Lamour) and even the clowns ( Jimmy Stewart, Emmett Kelley). The animal acts and train wreck scenes were outstanding (notwithstanding PETA’s moronic demands to remove them from the TV version of the movie) A truly wonderful movie

Yes   |   No


Jason C.

There are probably only 3 reasons to watch this movie: 1) you're a big fan of Charlton Heston and/or Jimmy Stewart, 2) you're focused on watching all the Best Picture winners, or 3) you have a fascination with the circus and want to catch a behind-the-scenes peek at how the biggest one operated 60 years ago. Otherwise skip this one unless you enjoy the uneasiness associated with bad storylines and dialogue. DeMille should have taken epic movie-making lessons from David Lean.

Yes   |   No


DAVID B.

I had not seen this movie in a very long time and when I rented it I was not sorry I did. This timeless movie brought back my younger days of our family going to the circus. The depiction in this movie of the true circus days shows the trials and tribulations of the performers and the dedication they gave of themselves to give us "THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH" So entertaining and a wonderful cast that does not disappoint in bringing back those delightful circus days. Charlton Heston and Jimmy Stewart are two of my favorite actors and they command your attetntion and did a brillant job in the making of this movie. Just to see all the costumes truly gives you ringside seats. Good job to Cecil B DeMille!!!!

Yes   |   No


Mike N.

Awesome movie & what now is essentially a documentary of a bygone & magical time for the circus. If you love the circus, it's a must see!

Yes   |   No


Patrice J.

This movie was so dated, the difference between the actors and real circus people was just SO obvious. Charlton Heston doesn't reall;y act, so to speak, as have his lines memorized. Like there is no chemistry between him and Hutton (who is always adorable but not rough and tumble enough to be believable as a circus member). Still, it is fun to remember the circus as it was in those days. And yup, Buttons the Clown (Stewart) is the best, real character in the movie.

Yes   |   No


Janet B.

A friend recomended this movie because he does clowning and Lou Jacobs and Emmett Kelly are in it. I liked it, a little campy at times but, anything with James Stewart is a plus....

Yes   |   No


Elliot W.

This was a wonderfully exciting film, and the behind-the-scenes narration of Mr. DeMille (as he did in "The Ten Commandments") make this sprawling film epic. The above "complete" cast list is hardly that, as it omits the great talents (including singing) of Jimmy Stewart as Buttons the Clown, whose face reads like Tolstoy, even under greasepaint, the leggy Dorothy Lamour (who brought her own fan club) as Phyllis and Cornel Wilde as the smooth-as-glass casanova flyer Sebastian. And the best part about this is that my children got as big a kick about of the roustabouts as they did the performers.

Yes   |   No


Jim R.

This is one of my favorite shows ever.

Yes   |   No


India H.

I am a lover of the old movies where there is a real story... and forme this is just one of the best......

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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Member Reviews
Read all (10)
 
Shannon B.

Charlton Heston may be the headliner, but Jimmy Stewart steals the show. This movie is mostly a soap opera at the circus. Heston gives his standard stiff delivery to circus manager Brad, whose love triangle with Holly and Sebastian (two competing but lusting trapeze artists) seems juvenile and unsympathetic. *The Greatest Show on Earth* is saved by two things: (1) the behind-the-scenes look at the massive circus machine is truly mind-boggling, and (2) Stewart makes cinematic magic out of the circus clown with a secret. Although he occupies the perimeter of much of the movie's action, he's the most memorable, subtle, surprising, and tragic part about it. As in the real circus itself, the clowns steal the show.

Yes   |   No

 
Cliff T.

Wow! They sure don’t make movies like this anymore. This Cecil B. DeMille spectacular captures the spirit of the “Greatest Show on Earth” with the all thrills, chills, and spills under the big top. Great acting by the macho actors (Heston,,Wilde ) and beautiful actresses (Hutton, Grahame, and Lamour) and even the clowns ( Jimmy Stewart, Emmett Kelley). The animal acts and train wreck scenes were outstanding (notwithstanding PETA’s moronic demands to remove them from the TV version of the movie) A truly wonderful movie

Yes   |   No

 
Jason C.

There are probably only 3 reasons to watch this movie: 1) you're a big fan of Charlton Heston and/or Jimmy Stewart, 2) you're focused on watching all the Best Picture winners, or 3) you have a fascination with the circus and want to catch a behind-the-scenes peek at how the biggest one operated 60 years ago. Otherwise skip this one unless you enjoy the uneasiness associated with bad storylines and dialogue. DeMille should have taken epic movie-making lessons from David Lean.

Yes   |   No

 
Read All 10 Reviews
 

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