Carnival Magic (1982) {Blu-ray Review}

Reviewed By Jason S. Lockard

Al Adamson was a prolific director of  B movies. He is known for such films as Satan’s Sadists, Blood Of Dracula’s Castle and The Naughty Stewardesses. He met a sad tragic end. An end in which we will not go into in this review!

But 1982 Al Adamson decided to try to direct a "kids film". But the problem with that is it is a kid's film that is filled with adult situations such as violence, sex, abuse, and alcoholism... OK! Let's take a look at the film.

Carnival Magic follows Markov the Magnificent is a talented magician whose career is fading. When he partners with a talking chimp named Alexander the Great, the duo becomes the small traveling carnival's biggest draw taking the place of an alcoholic lion-tamer. Overcome with jealousy the lion-tamer decides to kidnap Alex and sell him to a medical laboratory for experimentation, thus getting rid of his competition. It's up to Markov t try to save his partner and friend! Does Markov save Alexander? Well, you'll have to watch the film to find out!

This is one of those films that you either love or hate! I have to say this film is pure b0-movie cheesiness! For many people, they love that old film cheese. I think it was cool that we get to see all the carnival "magic". But the story is a bit jumbled at times, at least for me.

Many thought the only copies were VHS copies until 2009 when a 35 mm print was found in a warehouse. So if you have spent years trying to hunt down a copy of this film look no further. Film Chest Media Group has digitally restored this film and released it now on Blu-ray DVD combo pack.

The colors on this restored transfer is brilliant and the picture is crisp. The bonus features on this Blu-ray are plenteous; featuring audio commentary with the producer Elvin Feltner, an interview with Feltner, trailers, out takes, a before and after restoration demo and a postcard with the original movie artwork.

So if you are interested in adding this long-forgotten film to your collection you can't find a better copy than Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack from Find Chest Media Group. So head over to www.Amazon.com and pick up your copy today. 

Moral Rating: Adult Situations
Audience: Parental Guidance
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 100 Minutes
Movie Rating: C
Blu-ray Rating: B