The Vampires From Cirque Du Freak | The Saga of Darren Shan

Thanks for watching! Drop a like and If you enjoyed the video don't forget to subscribe it really helps! If you like content on vampire / werewolves and other supernaturals make sure to check out my other videos!
Be sure to leave any suggestions of movies or tv shows you would want me to cover. I plan on covering the vampires from penny dreadful, american horror story and some others but always let me know what you want to see!
Music by White Bat Audio on youtube
& Cogan Lollins
Business email [e-mail]
Timestamps
0:00 Intro
1:15 The freak show
8:25 Darren gets turned
10:28 Vampires and Vampaneze
15:16 Steve lives, Darren dies
15:15 Vampires VS Vampaneze
20:57 Desmond Tiny, Destiny.
23:39 Movie review
25:39 Final thoughts and outro

[@shadowscalestudios]

The book series is miles above the movie and I can't believe how physically painful the movie was to watch in comparison. This deserves a full on TV series reboot

[@staytuned2L337]

Yo i didn't even watch the movie 😂 I was so excited...but the roster of actors kinda threw me off. Glad i didn't watch.

[@mostlyorchids]

I read the books in middle school 2006-2008 and refused to watch the movies lol

[@MonkeyDJaden75]

@@mostlyorchids i was born in 2007

[@Nate_Luke]

The book was very awesome. They should think more about it before making the movie reboot of a book. Even the Spooks Series reboot movie seventh son was garbage

[@staytuned2L337]

@kyle yeah. I graduated in 2010. I'm about ready to lay down ☠️. The books were amazing. Couldn't keep my nose out of them.

[@David-fd8hy]

The fact more of Darren Shan's books havent became tv shows or movies is criminal.

[@TheDoubleSided]

The demonata series is for sure great as well from darren

[@David-fd8hy]

@@TheDoubleSided i had heard a rumour it was being adapted into a movie series but it'd be an 18+ due to the graphic nature of the books, but that just fizzled out

[@colinlowrie29]

I totally agree

[@mitchwilliamson5552]

Studios keep seeing the age of the main character in the first book and trying to make the adaptations family friendly, and any plans keep falling apart due to the books actually being graphic horror. Its why the film was a stupid teen action comedy. Ridiculous considering the main character is an adult for the majority of the story.

[@bobbob-up5ri]

We need an adaptation of the demonata I need to see a high budget lord loss.

[@coreycleaver8386]

I wish the book series would get a faithful adaptation. My cousin showed me underworld right when it came out on dvd and cirque du freak was the first vampire series I read after that. The lore and characters in the books is some amazing stuff and very different to a lot of other vampire lore. Great video.

[@coganLollins]

It could be a masterpiece if they did it right! And thank you 🙏

[@hunter5822]

Yeah, so many adaptations are total shit. A good adaptation I highly recommend is the metro 2033 series book and videogame... just finished it and literally cried at the end... I hope there will be more.

[@UnseenHitman-1932]

​@@hunter5822Dmitri is writing the next game.

[@stainakagoru9444]

This book series means so much to me. I met my wife through it and my best friends I even started me art with it. It's nice to see that the fandom isn't dead.

[@Sora_the_flame]

Same here the book helped me when I was at my darkest place and I've been searching for the books at book stores forever

[@zacharygibson8169]

god danng u sound like steve

[@stainakagoru9444]

@@zacharygibson8169 I take that as a compliment

[@jwilsthem.c3780]

I read this entire series when I was in middle school It really bothers me because I saw the potential in this series and in this movie the casting for Mr.Tiny, Larten, Mr.Tall and many others were literally perfect

[@mchandler133]

I hope your joking the cast was horrible for this

[@jwilsthem.c3780]

@@mchandler133 I'm not I'm sorry you don't agree I guess?

[@JamesMiller-ex3ff]

@@jwilsthem.c3780 Yeah I read all the books also, and thought the movie was horribly done. They ruined the last book in the first movie!

[@oroboros88]

​@@jwilsthem.c3780casting could have been star studded considering the names they already had, I can only imagine what we could have seen with vampire mountain and the princes and generals

[@Martyn_Wolf]

Seems like poor directing for the most part. Plus trying to fit 3 books into one film is a poor choice given how each books is 5-6 hrs long (when being read at a decent pace) I don't believe the cast they used fit all the roles they had. Ken as Mr. Tall whilst not inaccurate does lack that menacing aura Mr Tall has at times. I guess they went with the freak show part a bit too hard perhaps.

[@imjustwolf]

When I was a teenager, this book series was my all time favorite. I really thought this movie would get a full series but I guess after all this time it has been forgotten about. Shame really... But at least we still have the books.

[@Earthbound369]

I've never heard of this series. It looks really good. I'd love to see more.

[@imjustwolf]

@@Earthbound369 it was written for early teenagers so you may or may not enjoy it depending on your age category.

[@Mexican1632]

@@imjustwolf did you read his demonata series

[@imjustwolf]

@@Mexican1632 I tried but at the time I wasn't in a good headspace for something so dark. I should try it again though because I've heard it is good and much more mature.

[@Retalak]

This book series and The Spook's Apprentice were my favorites.

[@trick2jee]

Cirque Du Freak easily has the coolest interpretation of vampires. The dynamic of the vampaneze who murder people while the vampires actually protect humans. Darren’s arc going from human to half-vampire to vampire Prince. And Steve coming back pretending to be a vampire hunter like how he always said, pretending to help the main cast just to turn out to be the ACTUAL vampaneze lord after Crepsley dies. Criminal that nobody talks ab this series but with that being said i’m glad i found your vid!

[@cryptopsyrin4425]

Cirque du freak and the demonata series from Darren shan were my absolute favorite series' in middle school. I'm a huge fan of his. Even the thin executioner

[@black_hand78]

Cirque Du Freak, Lord Loss, and the Demonota series are amazing.

[@Martyn_Wolf]

@@black_hand78 It's called the Demonata Series, not the Lord Loss series

[@black_hand78]

@@Martyn_Wolf it’s been quite awhile since I’ve read them, my bad.

[@seanbrown4706]

Lord loss would be an awesome villain in live action.

[@cryptopsyrin4425]

@@seanbrown4706 I lord loss done with mostly makeup would be terrifying.

[@Synicstkayz]

growing up i couldn’t read or write i bullied for it badly but i picked up book 6 the vampire prince and then went back and read the rest of the books at the end i cried, now because of these books i have read lord of the rings, game of thrones, harry potter and dune so needless to these books are part my heart

[@ttyngordon]

You wrote this a year ago, how big has your book collection become?

[@Synicstkayz]

@@ttyngordon sadly it hasn’t due to life circumstances but i think i wanna read some of the new 40k 📕

[@hossbonaventure934]

I first saw the movie when I was 11, just thinking "yeah it's another supernatural movie about vampires, lizard people and such" and I loved it, fast forward to my freshman year of highschool, I got a chance to read just about all of Darren shan's books and was taken into a whole different universe of vampires/vampneze, demon Lords, demons the size of 4 planets, magician werewolves, powerful half breed wizards etc. So by this time, I remembered there was a movie and I watched it and it was horrible, I couldn't believe I had loved it so much back then, the cirque du freak and demonata series imo could've been the next Harry Potter or something like it if done right

[@Valdreag17]

I had completely forgotten about this series. I do reminder that the ending has a wild twist (at least for my 12 year old self).

[@Valdreag17]

And they’re all currently free books on Audible!

[@momo382844]

This series was wild! What a time to be alive!

[@Greenthumb6a]

Wildest twist ever. Darren becomes a little person, and is sent back in time and breaks the chain of events the night of Darren and Steve going to the circus that one night. Then little person dies as he changed his own future and gave mr. Tall his diary to publish. Fucking amazing.

[@black_hand78]

Another good book series is “chronicles of Vladimir Todd.” Wish the author continued on to his college years though, like they were planning on doing.

[@14ndc]

I completely forgot about this series!!! This would be a great TV series. Have you heard of the Pendragon series?

[@black_hand78]

@@14ndc Pendragon is amazing as well.

[@hannahcarolan2521]

I totally forgot about this series, thanks for bringing it back to my memory!! I loved it as a kid

[@aiyannaking6671]

I read the manga as a child because I wasn't able to get my hands on the books at my library. I enjoyed the manga a ton as a kid but I would like to read the books now I can get my hands on them. I also liked the movie and all of the quirks.

[@himynameis3664]

There is an audiobook reading of them on KZbin if you're interested

[@Martyn_Wolf]

If you happen to use audible it's on there too

[@Martyn_Wolf]

I learnt about Darren Shan from the Demonata Series I read back in secondary school. Then I read the Thin Executioner loved this book, listened to the Cirque Du Freak (narrated by Ralph Lister)series on audible

[@PoppyHapalopus]

I will always have a soft spot for this movie. I watched it so many times when I was 11, in the end I could watch it in my head. Beat for beat, line for line. It was amazing. Of course the books are the better part of this universe, but the movie was my introduction to it - the beginning of an obsession that lasted well into my teens and never 100% went away.

[@capitalg1415]

This needs a remake on hbo that’s rated r the book was so good and would make for a good tv series

[@jolfer1334]

It's a shame this movie didn't do well I think it's extremely underrated. It would be cool to go farther into the world

[@TravisShehorn]

This series had me hooked until the tail end of book 12. If there were some sort of reboot, it’s one of the few times I’d relish them getting the opportunity to mulligan that ending

[@trick2jee]

yea that ending was pretty nuts, and the literal title being “Sons of Des Tiny” somehow didn’t register until i finished it

[@getshwifty3101]

The one thing I hated about the movie. Why put in Rebecca?? It still could've been Sam as a friend. The whole reason Darren actually does it in the books, was to keep a part of Sam's Soul alive. And I know they were trying to merge the stories, but that's no reason to have just completely changed the ending. Especially cause, even though we know Steve knew what happened, and was pissed about it. We didn't learn he became a Vampaneze until he himself was almost 30. It could've been a great set-up movie where Darren became a Half-Vampire, and leaned about the abilities/weaknesses. Just like it did, but instead of rushing the Showdown, and forcing a random Love Interest. Showed one of the friends Darren made, and became best friends with, end up dying in an attack from the Wolfman, and Darren having to come to terms with what he actually was. Just like the books. And then the second movie could've been the Love Interest with Rebecca (? Don't actually remember her name, as it's been 12 years.) Finding out about Steve, and then Darren becoming the Full-Vampire, and ending with the start of the War. And then have a 3rd movie that was the aftermath, and Darren's journey to stop the War in the first place. Finally finding out everything about Mr. Tiny, making his final decision to go back, and prevent his past self from stealing Madame Octa. Thus preventing any War, and the End of Humanity.

[@kobzt206]

I would love the other Daren Shan books made in to a film they would make a good horror film/ series

[@coganLollins]

I agree they would make a great horror or thriller movie for an older audience!

[@justuschester4602]

@@coganLollins feel like tho if they someday reboot this into either show or movie they need some known actors to help it least build more on the franchise for people who never heard or seen this that way in future seasons or movies if reboot it will get a bigger fan base to help it make money to make more and them getting better.

[@AaryanRahi-xz9ek]

P​@@justuschester4602

[@SnackPack913]

I remember reading this book as a kid, and now all these memories are flooding back watching this. It was a good series

[@jadelee6555]

This was my favorite book series growing up. Darren Shan is a master of a writer and the end of this book series genuinely made me cry. Also read the Lord Loss series, that is incredible as well.

[@coganLollins]

Im still finishing the series but I will check out lord loss! 🙏

[@caramelkingdude]

I cannot recommend Lord Loss enough

[@Pigeon1235]

Lord Loss is incredible

[@deuceb1069]

Lord Loss was one of the craziest endings to a book series I’ve ever read… I thought he’d never top Cirque Du Freak

[@black_hand78]

Lord Loss was definitely one of my top favorite book series.

[@TheIlovesasukekun]

Thank you for doing a review on this movie cause for a while I thought it was a fever dream. I asked many of my friends if the have heard or even seen this movie/series and they all said no. I really hope that someone repicks this back up and either makes a better movie or a possible tv series out of it.

[@bulldozer99]

I was honored to have worked as one of Madame's Truska men in this great project ❤️ Look for the big man with the handlebar mustache and then you'll realize it's yours truly back then.

[@supernaturalawesome1]

I absolutely adored this book series, Any chance you could please do a video on the book series itself? Maybe even multiple videos on specific elements of the lore and story.

[@maybebearable6910]

If he doesn't I will. This series is criminally underrated. And needs to be talked about

[@ally88350]

Love the graphic novels... though I was introduced as a 6 or 7th grade to the first book then the movie... of the book to movies in the younger adult genre, I like this one

[@jamshush]

I had no idea there was a movie series from it, I remember reading the books as a kid, even got a couple books signed when the Darren O'Shaughnessy came so my school

[@jasonholt7892]

The books were amazing, my biggest problem with the movie was the added content/discrepancies from the book. They added the monkey girl for the movie,and slacked on the bromance Darren had with Evra (very important for later in the books,Darren's first romance is critical and has long effects down the road). Madam Octas Color scheme was also altered. With other changes they did with compressing 3 books into one movie, they really trapped themselves from being able to make any kind of faithful sequels.

[@AlovicGrim]

I would love to see a new movie for it, now with films, even "kids films" have some really serious tones, and most superhero films are very dark, so hopefully that would mean that a good director who knows how to make a good serious movie adaptation of the book series, might actually come in, Maybe the director who did Steven Kings IT movies, he did pretty well adapting the books.

[@mitchwilliamson5552]

The issue is that its not a kids book. It's graphic horror aimed at teens which would be probably rated M15, and gradually becomes darker and darker. By book 3, I would say its no longer a book I'd call for teens at all. (In the sense that the MC is no longer a child and the themes become even more mature) The last few books would definitely be R18 when adapted to cinema.

[@lucre113]

Yoooo that is crazy, I found your channel a few weeks ago, but then just remembered about cirque du freak yesterday. Seeing you upload this today is trippy

[@isaakfrmla]

I only read the first book and I was blown away how good it was then when I saw the movie was coming out I was excited and ultimately ended up being disappointed

[@jjohanesson9139]

Thus is fast becoming one of my favourite channels.

[@ZaliXbx]

Your video essay makes me finally understand why i first watch the movie, scenes feel rush and disjointed like a missing or cut content. Thank you for such an informative video and the lore of Darren Shan universe

[@carlparslow8115]

The books were insanely good, especially the later ones involving the little people and time related plots

[@vki14]

I actually came across this series in its manga adaptation back in high school and I loved it.

[@joewilkinson5834]

Great movie explained by a great narrator good job

[@lewislawrence8408]

Reading the book and watching the movie while although leagues apart in comparison I found melancholy in how they all found a home and being a lifelong outcast it's a shame to belong to a place that's fictional

[@jenniferjaime2827]

Hello thanks for posting every day I am patiently waiting for your videos, love your vids and I have a Question would you rather be a Vampire or A Werewolf. Have a Good Day!

[@amberlaughlin3518]

Some of us are both and more....

[@oYinYano]

You mentioning the manga brought this like… long forgotten memory of reading it in high school

[@Jodipo]

Great stuff as always. By the way, could you do a video about the vampires of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure? Their depiction in that show is quite interesting.

[@coganLollins]

I havnt heard too much about the series but I will check it out 🙏 thanks!

[@ZeroOmega-vg8nq]

@@coganLollins theres only 1 rule with jojo. Dont skip parts otherwise the fans will go nuts

[@vampirebite44]

@@coganLollins As a JoJo fan and vampire fan, I recommend watching it! At least first 2 seasons (those deal mostly with vampire stuff).

[@gen9528]

The books have so much potential :( hope one day they get a series interpretation! The twist at the end is something I can never get over

[@kwisatz_haderach1445]

My skin turns red in less than 5 minutes! These vamps are better in the sunlight than I am! no fair!

[@robertsmiley2207]

This is one of my favorite movies glad u doing this cause I was gonna ask u to cover it anyway how he turned Darren was different and how Steve's blood seemed evil 😎

[@Martyn_Wolf]

Read / listen to the series it's better. I did find out that the Cirque Du Freak series is an exclusive on audible (if you're a member, you can buy the books too if you're not not audio)

[@greatwhitenorthcorvette8133]

I have to watch this now! Thanks for the info

[@scottmartin2526]

They absolutely massacred this film. This saga could have done with a film per book.

[@gregcrockett1852]

I love this movie. I need to find the books now. Thank you

[@kody20012012]

Could have been the vampire movie series of the century but noooo! Darren Shan deserves more credit as an author.

[@isiahdaley477]

The books are incredible. When mr. Cresply died I was sad af

[@KayKayLette]

When I was a kid I read these books in the early late 90s/ early 2000s and I love these books growing up as a kid to see the movie come out I was so excited but I guess like every other fan girl who reads the book first I was a little irked that they changed so many things in the movie but it was still an awesome movie just wish they continued with a sequel

[@hanamoon5474]

Riding out the hurricane at a relatives and came across this vid. I ended up watching nearly all of your vampire videos 🙂

[@stephanieperri5012]

This didn't get nearly enough recognition as it shouldve & I didn't even know about the books! Thank u 💋

[@williamleo9704]

The actors for Mr Tall and Mr Tiny were absolutely perfect. Not exactly how imagined Mr Tiny to look though. Nevertheless the actor played him brilliantly

[@Onyxcat12]

I highly recommend the movie My best friends a vampire. It's a older one and is a bit silly but it's fun and so worth a watch.

[@bekleedee]

I love the movie and I found the books interesting actually. I'm glad you covered this one. The story is interesting. Just unfortunate they didn't continue the movies. I would have been keen to keep seeing them.

[@corybalitewicz1941]

I really hope they continue to do the movies, my fangirling would be off the charts to see my favorite book series come to life ❤️

[@lexxchinchillaa]

Most people would disagree w/ me, but I think the movie is good, just not very accurate to the books. There really should be a TV show on the entire series.

[@DawnyAussie]

Nah, it needs a show adaptation like the Percy Jackson D+ series coming up. The changes made are so irredeemable that any further adaptation from the existing book would lead into a completely different story.

[@dakotasavage2192]

I love that I finally get to see this video and could you do vampire academy

[@ButterSkull]

An "x" ylophone is the craziest thing I've ever heard in my life.

[@user-nu4wd7tf3s]

Ive always loved this and the sorcerers apprentice so disappointed they never got their sequels

[@FidesAla]

They were so similar! The Sorcerer’s Apprentice was a better CDF movie than the CDF movie. Nicholas Cage was a better Larten.

[@ninjahvoand797]

Vampires assistant was a great movie. All we can hope for now is a Netflix hulu or prime original series. And I so hope that happens sometime in the near future.

[@Greenthumb6a]

It brings me great joy so many other people loved the books and would still love another movie or tv show reboot of this!

[@YoungSwaggness]

I love this movie and great breakdown of this film bro

[@JamesAdams-nd1td]

The Darren Shan vampires have always been some of my favorites. It's so different than traditional vampire lore, but it also feels like a set of abilities and traits that a real (if mystical) creature would have. The books themselves are also great, dealing with themes of growing up, the consequences of our actions, personal responsibility, and war. I have mixed feelings about the movie; it had really good moments sometimes, but other times it felt like the creators didn't know what they were doing. They changed a lot of stuff the books, and while I think an adaptation should make changes that are necessary to, well, adapt the story, the changes made here didn't all make a lot of sense. I think a better approach would be to adapt the series as a TV or streaming series rather than traditional movies, as it would allow the creators more room to stretch out and develop the characters and their world.

[@IWroteSomeThings]

Blessing my KZbin front page once again.

[@maxs-lz4pn]

I didn't know anyone else really read these books! Glad that after all these years to finally find the community

[@inferiorinferno8859]

I loved the books growing up, when I studied children's literature I actually noted the Saga of Darren Shan in my top 10 list. I still am shaking at the final book and the reveal Des Tiny is the father of both Darren and Steve and that he orchestrated the war between the vampires and the vampaneze in an attempt to bring about the apocalypse. Now that's a bar I someday hope to achieve in writing.

[@ryanpadgett8340]

I REALLY liked this movie !!! I was so disappointed when they didn’t make a sequel 😢😢😢

[@Baelthebard]

didn't get a sequel cos the movie is shit

[@buchan448]

@@Baelthebard nah its a gid film

[@GreenDayFanMT]

Found the books because of this video and they are amazing.

[@LindormAce]

god do i love this channel

[@thearmchairjournalist566]

Excellent video 👌

[@neonicon8500]

The car driving out of the fog and a flyer coming out gives me such Goosebumps and Something Wicked this Way Comes vibes.

[@MWMTEE]

Been waiting for this one

[@valbankz292]

Loved it thanks 👍🏽

[@ramcharger154]

How have i never seen or heard of this series?❤😅 thanks for keeping me abreast of vampire movies. I havent feed since Anne Rice and she snap crackle pop!😂

[@KaiisKlips]

Read the books. This movie is god awful compared to what actually happens.

[@NightBane345]

I still wish this movie had gotten sequels, loved it so much, re-watched it a lot when I had it on my Xbox 360 all those years ago

[@terrymcdonald7877]

The elements of Something Wicked This Way Comes and Fright Night are done wonderfully.

[@daya529]

I think as a kid the chaotic realness of kids understanding more of the adult would then you realise mixed with your still a kid aspects is what drew me to loving this movie so much - also i was very unaware of a lot of things like the fact theres BOOKS! HELL YA

[@rhys1264]

Oh man -- I read this series as a kid and was OBSESSED. The movie was...good-ish? Not as good as the books, though. You should also watch Byzantium! It's a vampire movie focusing on a mother and daughter. :)

[@_LetsGoMe_]

When I read the books way back when it felt like the author was writing a fanfiction of his life so far opinion hasn’t changed.

[@calmsouls4502]

"Desmond Tiny is one of my favorite characters, and he looks really cool in the Manga" -shows picture of Mr. Tall-

[@_face773]

Very cool movie and underrated. There should've been sequels.👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@Captain.AmericaV1]

When he said they've been touring for 500 years, I'm sure that would have necessitated subtle questioning!!😂😂

[@dejaporter7338]

Subbed great content🙌🏾🤗

[@wrathjacobcurtis.6092]

Yes I've been wanting to see this one.

[@mr.narrator6781]

I remember being so excited for this movie, the series is one of my absolute favorites even to this day I'll still pick up the books. They are more than jus YA books. This film was to put it mildly, disappointing.

[@theseventhchaos8141]

The film was crap

[@joshuamourning6650]

And I love the fact that mr tiny is basically the youngest child of unseen possible lovecraftian beings

[@milliegoodwin5389]

The Darren Shan books mean so much to me, it's one of the only book series that I've gone out of my way to get the author's autograph

[@dominicbuck3744]

Good writing and i love a good back and forth fight

[@EmoChipmonkVOD]

This movie is a case of "Just becasue a movie isn't great doesn't mean its not a good time"

[@lewisbirkett4428]

Wow I remember reading a few of these books as a kid. Tempted to reread although idk they're aimed at a younger audience

[@egg6144]

Rereading the manga rn cause it’s so good. Eventually I want to try reading the series

[@samanthacharlton4123]

I can't believe how you are about the two boy actors switching roles! It seems such a simple solution, and i can't believe how the casting agents missed it. But, honestly, i would have missed it, too. Though when this video first started i was sure Josh Hutcherson was the good kid and the other would turn evil. I don't know anything about this source material, so since i had that feeling to begin with, at the end of this when you mentioned a swap, it all added up to me

[@brettb7221]

I worked at a movie theater when it came out and we played it. The tickets we used werent that big so it only had enough room to fit the title Vampire's Ass 😂

[@marleefetty3841]

I just got done reading this series for like the 10th time and I still is just as good each time. But wow. The ending. It needs a final book.

[@otakuprince9741]

I saw the movie before reading the books or manga, so it's a guilty pleasure of mine

[@razorsmoothie3527]

I really wish they would have kept making the movie

[@lil_crossgg1029]

One of my favorite book series ever

[@nyzeardenga9861]

10 year old me actually loved this movie awww good memories

[@carlminorsr2634]

Never heard of the books until seeing this movie and I love it.

[@GreatGreebo]

Thank you for another great video. Please do *The Breed* (2001) vampire movie review. 🤘

[@Chencho7613]

Never heard of it. Worth a watch? My favorite is "The Lost Boys"

[@adonismusic8596]

thank God more videos are being made about cirque du freak