Overview
A mysterious circus arrives in a small town, revealing the hidden truths of its citizens.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- whimsical
- eccentric
- playful
- family movie night
- classic fantasy marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly view the film as an imaginative, family-friendly fantasy with strong visual and performance appeal, though some find its humor heavy-handed.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Tony Randall plays Dr. Lao alongside the Abominable Snowman, Merlin, Pan, Medusa, the Giant Serpent, Apollonius of Tyana, and an audience member.
The circus and its mythical inhabitants make the citizens of Abalone see themselves reflected in Lao's mysterious world.
Dr. Lao rides into Abalone, Arizona with a circus of mythical beasts that changes the town forever.
The Arizona town, railroad setting, circus, yeti, Medusa, and Loch Ness Monster combine western locality with extravagant mythology.
Films like 7 Faces of Dr. Lao, and why
The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T.
whimsical fantasy spectacle, family-friendly comedy, and a mysterious outsider transforming a small community
The Golden Voyage of Sinbad
mythical creatures, magical spectacle, playful tone, and a child-accessible fantasy adventure
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
eccentric fantasy, comic social observation, and a strange supernatural presence reshaping ordinary lives
Movie Details
- Director
- George Pal
- Release Date
- 1964-03-18
- Runtime
- 100 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (101)
Cast
- Tony Randall
- Barbara Eden
- Arthur O'Connell
- John Ericson
- Noah Beery Jr.
- Lee Patrick
- Minerva Urecal
- John Qualen
- Frank Kreig
- Peggy Rea
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is 7 Faces of Dr. Lao about?
- A shape-shifting circus master brings mythical wonders to an Arizona town, revealing its citizens through a dazzling comic fantasy.
- What is 7 Faces of Dr. Lao like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of 7 Faces of Dr. Lao as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is 7 Faces of Dr. Lao violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in 7 Faces of Dr. Lao.
- What did critics think of 7 Faces of Dr. Lao?
- Critics broadly view the film as an imaginative, family-friendly fantasy with strong visual and performance appeal, though some find its humor heavy-handed.
- Which films are like 7 Faces of Dr. Lao?
- Films with a similar feel include The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T., The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, and Bedknobs and Broomsticks.
- How long is 7 Faces of Dr. Lao?
- 7 Faces of Dr. Lao runs 100 minutes.
- Where can I watch 7 Faces of Dr. Lao?
- In United States, 7 Faces of Dr. Lao is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
