Circus World (1964)

VHS CASE/ SIDE

Length of film:  135 Minutes (Roadshow: 142 Minutes)

Rated: PG

Genre: Drama, Western

Director: Henry Hathaway

Starring: John Wayne, Rita Hayworth, Claudia Cardinale, Lloyd Nolan, Richard Conte, John Smith

IMDB Rank: 6.1/ 10 (June 2026)

Part 1 Time: 73 Minutes (Roadshow: 75 Minutes)

Part 2 Time: 62 Minutes (Roadshow: 67 Minutes

***The DVD roadshow format includes an official intermission. The 2 tape VHS format does not include an official intermission title card and abruptly ends at the 90 minute mark (after Matt Masters, Lili Alfredo and Toni Alfredo speak in Matt Master’s trailer). The roadshow format intermission will be used for the database.

Where does the first part end? Matt Masters (John Wayne) speaks to Lili Alfredo (Rita Hayworth) at a Café giving her an ultimatum.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: Matt Masters ends to conversation stating; “Make up your mind or you’re forever dead.”

First line of dialogue on the second part: Circus World performs at an outdoor venue, “Toni, come here please” Tojo the Clown (Richard Conte) speaks.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Minimal/Somewhat, after years of searching Matt finally finds Lili in Barcelona. Matt tries to convince Lili to return to the circus (possibly returning as a trapeze artist), however she seems reluctant and grief stricken.

Which part is better? Part one is significantly better as it generally creates a sense of a true roadshow spectacle due to its Technirama photography and musical score. Part one opens with lots of energy and includes the ship capsizing sequences, which are quite memorable. Part two takes a slower pace becoming an emotionally driven family melodrama, which some audiences may prefer, but generally the first half is regarded as the stronger half.

Academy Awards: None

Other Awards: 1965 Golden Globes- Best Drama Actress (Nominated- Rita Hayworth), Best Song (Winner– Circus World)