The Elephant Man (1980)

Director:

David Lynch

Writers:

Christopher De Vore (screenplay) &
Eric Bergren (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

10 October 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | History

Tagline:

I am not an animal! I am a human being! I...am...a man!

Plot:

A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man who is mistreated while scraping a living as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous facade, there is revealed a person of intelligence and sensitivity.

Plot Keywords:

Freak | Dignity | 19th Century | London England | Channel Crossing

Awards:

Nominated for 8 Oscars. Another 8 wins & 13 nominations

Cast

Anthony Hopkins	...	Frederick Treves
John Hurt	...	John Merrick
Anne Bancroft	...	Mrs. Kendal
John Gielgud	...	Carr Gomm
Wendy Hiller	...	Mothershead
Freddie Jones	...	Bytes
Michael Elphick	...	Night Porter
Hannah Gordon	...	Mrs. Treves
Helen Ryan	...	Princess Alex
John Standing	...	Fox
Dexter Fletcher	...	Bytes' Boy
Lesley Dunlop	...	Nora
Phoebe Nicholls	...	Merrick's Mother
Pat Gorman	...	Fairground Bobby
Claire Davenport	...	Fat Lady

Runtime:

124 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Portugal:M/12 | Iceland:LH | Italy:VM14 | Spain:T | USA:PG (Approved No.26063) | Denmark:11 | Israel:PG | Netherlands:12 | South Africa:PG | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Brazil:10 | Australia:M | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A | Finland:K-16 | Ireland:12 | Norway:16 (original rating) | Singapore:PG | South Korea:15 | Sweden:15 | UK:AA (original rating) | UK:PG (video rating) | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Broadgate, London, England, UK

Company:

Brooksfilms

Trivia:

Originally offered to Terrence Malick but he passed.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Carr Gomm first meets John Merrick, he walks close up to him. In the next shot he is way back from him, then close again.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Skeleton Man: Get rid of them! I don't want to see them!
Fat Lady: Darling, don't be difficult! Let's take our sweet lovely children on an outing.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Toxic Avenger (1984)

Soundtrack:

Adagio For Strings

amazing....but not for the weak at heart

this is a brilliantly done film. it is quite raw and blunt about its subject matter, however, so it should not be viewed for "entertainment" purposes, thought he story is inherently intriguing. we must just sit and watch in curiousity and amazement, but in concurrence with extreme sorrow, as we are shown the brutality that john merrick must face as his reality. a smile from another human being, or even a pleasant greeting (which is something that we all take for granted), is treated by this man as the highest form of complimentary behavior possible.

one of the best films that i have ever seen. it wouldnt be called a top 25 of all-time film by the public (though i may place it there), however, based solely on the fact that it, as i mentioned earlier, is lacking in terms of typical "entertainment" value. even though you will certainly be immersed the entire way through. ah, who knows! im not expressing myself very well. make it a priority to see this film. enjoy

absolutely amazing and memorable - 10/10