Bound By Flesh

Bound By Flesh is a fascinating documentary-style film that delves into the lives of two famous sideshow performers from the early 20th century: Daisy and Violet Hilton. It chronicles their extraordinary rise to fame as conjoined twins in the circus and entertainment world, while also exploring the darker side of their exploitation and abuse at the hands of their managers and partners.

The movie begins with an overview of the Hilton sisters' birth and early life, born in Brighton, England in 1908 to an unwed mother. Their mother, who was ashamed of their physical condition and unable to care for them, sold them at birth to a woman named Mary Hilton, who became their adoptive mother and manager. Mary saw the potential in the twins' unique abilities and began exploiting them at a very young age, teaching them to sing and dance on stage as part of her traveling show.

The sisters quickly gained notoriety and fame for their exceptional talent, as well as their stunning physical appearance. They were charming and gregarious, and audiences were enchanted by their performances. However, it wasn't long before their success began to take a dark turn, as they were subjected to increasingly inhumane and exploitative treatment by the people in charge of their careers.

The movie explores many of the Hilton sisters' most significant career milestones, including their performances in vaudeville shows, in freak shows, and in movies. Despite their many successes, the twins' personal lives were riddled with difficulty and heartache. They were constantly under the control of others, never allowed any real freedom or control over their own lives.

The film features interviews with people who knew the Hilton sisters personally, as well as experts in the fields of conjoined twins and the history of sideshow entertainment. These interviews help to provide a deeper understanding of the sisters' unique experiences and how they fit into the larger cultural context of the time.

Among the many people interviewed in the film are the famous actress and former "Bond girl" Nancy Allen, who provides poignant insights into the sisters' lives and struggles. Also featured are Timothy Stack, who portrays one of the Hilton sisters' exploitative managers in a reimagined dramatic scene, and Lea Thompson, who narrates the film with great sensitivity and empathy.

Overall, Bound By Flesh is a moving and thought-provoking exploration of the lives of two extraordinary women who were both celebrated and mistreated for their unique physical condition. It examines their lives with compassion and respect, while also shining a light on the darker side of the entertainment industry and the challenges faced by anyone who is considered "different" in our society. It is a beautifully crafted documentary that is sure to stay with viewers long after the credits roll.