The Elephant Man

1980

2h 4m

IMDb RATING

8.1/10

3.7K

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10 Videos

99+ Images

Drama

History

A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man being mistreated by his "owner" as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous façade, there is revealed a person of great intelligence and sensitivity. Based on the true story of Joseph Merrick (called John Merrick in the film), a severely deformed man in 19th century London.

Directors

David Lynch

Writers

David Lynch(screenplay by)

Eric Bergren(screenplay by)

Christopher De Vore(screenplay by)

Stars

Anthony Hopkins

John Hurt

Anne Bancroft

See production, box office & company info

Videos10

Photos139

Top cast

Frederick Treves

John Merrick

Mrs Kendal

Carr Gomm

Mothershead

Bytes

Night Porter

Mrs Treves

Princess Alex

Fox

Bytes' Boy

Nora

Merrick's Mother

Fairground Bobby

Fat Lady

Skeleton Man

Distraught Woman

Alderman

Directors

David Lynch

Writers

David Lynch(screenplay by)

Eric Bergren(screenplay by)

Christopher De Vore(screenplay by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

User reviews2

Review

Featured review

8/10

Saw this, recently up-converted to 4K at the London Film Festival and, apart from the clear improvements to the quality and detail of the image, I was reminded of just how good it is. Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft play their roles with engaging sincerity - very ably supported by Sir John Gielgud and Dame Wendy Hiller. Prosthetics aside, John Hurt captures both the despair and optimism of Merrick with empathetic style; and Freddie Jones is just downright evil as "Bytes". His son Toby was at the screening and I couldn't help but wonder when he watched this portrayal by his father whether the pride in the performance must have been tempered by a disgust in the character, itself!! This film doesn't seem to do the rounds very often, nowadays, but it holds up very well after almost 40 years and is really a gem.

Geronimo196707 Jun, 2023