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Poster for Death of the Flea Circus Director

Death of the Flea Circus Director

Seen it?

1975 | 111 min | Drama

Monday Morning Maybeearly rating

Why it’s a Monday Morning Maybe

With a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz, this one could be a tough watch. Keep your phone handy.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
One for people who'll be humming afterwards and anyone who loves a strong drama. The music is woven into the story, not just laid on top. Same wavelength as The Greatest Showman or Jesus Christ Superstar.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 51 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in German, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1975: an older pace and style.
  • Skip it if you need something light and fast tonight.

With the help of his assistant Anja, Ottocaro Weiss intends to put the plague on stage: circumstances beyond his control and a lack of fresh talent have forced him to close down his flea circus. For Weiss, the plague means the «extinction of everything that makes life miserable and low and freedom along with it. Unbeknownst to him, he has won the support of a patron who is of the exact opposite opinion: for Johannes Wagner, the plague is an organising principle, and, aided by his agent Moosbrugger, he is able to smuggle a new number onto the programme. Whereas Ottocaro Weiss means to represent the plague theatrically, what appears on stage is the scientific reality of the rat-borne infestation.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsNot counted

    Not enough reviews on record yet

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerWeak

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    Not enough engagement data yet

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Cast & crew

Directed by Thomas Koerfer

  • François SimonOttocaro Weiss
  • Paul GogelJohannes Wagner
  • Norbert SchwientekStephan Moosbrugger
  • Janine WeillAnja, artist
  • Gothard DietrichRingmaster
  • Gerhard DorferInsurance agent
  • Peter KnerTV editor
  • Wolfgang RottsieperGermanist