Enjoy the history of The British Circus documentary on DVD this July

Back in a more innocent time, many people's special trip out to an event happened when the circus was in town. Strike Force Entertainment are all set to celebrate the greatest show on earth this 29th July with the DVD release of The British Circus 1898-1972: The Golden Years.

Containing over three hours of footage, this covers the history of the Circus in Britain from the age of Queen Victoria up to the 1970s, using rare and never before released film footage discovered in the film archives.

Extras include bonus films showing circuses from around the world from 1936 to 1972, whilst the recommended retail price will be £19.99.

Synopsis follows...

Many of the biggest names in the circus world are featured, starting with Barnum & Bailey arriving on tour in Sunderland in 1898 and including Tom Arnold's Haringey Circus, Billy Smart's Circus and Betram Mills, famed for their enormous Christmas circus spectaculars at Olympia.

All the acts that make the circus such a thrilling event are here, clowns, tumblers, trick cyclists, the human cannonball, acrobatic comedians, the flying trapeze, plate-spinners and performing animals from a more innocent age. Enjoy an elephant ballet AND a canine soccer match!

For many of these top performers, this precious film footage is the only known record of their acts. Among the films collected on this very special DVD is the 1948 short 'A Circus Story', filmed at the 7,000 seated Belle Vue Circus, taking you ringside and backstage with an array of fabulously talented post-war performers including Balliol and Merton, whose acrobatic adagio dancing is a breath-taking display of balance and poise.