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The Elephant Man
1980
David Lynch brings his own dreamlike style to the heartbreaking yet somehow uplifting story of John Merrick (John Hurt), a hideously deformed individual dubbed the Elephant Man during his years in a circus freak show in Victorian England. After suffering for years at the hands of his circus "master," the eloquent, soft spoken .. Read more
| Starring | Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt, Anne Bancroft, John Gielgud |
|---|---|
| Director | David Lynch |
| Genres | Drama |
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The Elephant Man
David Lynch brings his own dreamlike style to the heartbreaking yet somehow uplifting story of John Merrick (John Hurt), a hideously deformed individual dubbed the Elephant Man during his years in a circus freak show in Victorian England. After suffering for years at the hands of his circus "master," the eloquent, soft spoken Merrick is "rescued" by compassionate surgeon Dr. Frederick Treves (Anthony Hopkins), who allows him to live at the hospital where he works. Merrick becomes a social celebrity when he meets a popular stage performer (Anne Bancroft), but he must continue to fight for his dignity with those who still choose to view him as a freak. Meanwhile, Treves begins to question whether his supposed act of humanity has been just as exploitative as Merrick's former caretaker's.
Lynch's follow-up to his 1978 cult classic ERASERHEAD is a striking blend of art and entertainment, which earned the film eight Academy Award nominations in 1980. Freddie Francis's breathtaking black-and-white cinematography combines with John Morris's score to re-create Victorian England with a deeply haunting beauty. It is the compassionate performances of Hurt and Hopkins that lift THE ELEPHANT MAN to a more emotional level, however, bringing an inspired sadness to Lynch's striking vision.
| Starring | Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt, Anne Bancroft, John Gielgud, Wendy Hiller, Hannah Gordon |
|---|---|
| Director | David Lynch |
| Studio | MOMENTUM PICTURES |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 58 mins Blu-ray: 2 hrs 3 mins HD DVD: 2 hrs 3 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | English |
| Dubbed | Italian, Spanish |
| Subtitles | Danish, English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish |
| Released | DVD: 14 May 2001 Blu-ray: 28 Sep 2009 HD DVD: 26 Mar 2007 Production year: 1980 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (5)
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This stylish, poignant drama is probably the closest director David Lynch has got to the mainstream outside of the disastrous Dune. It's based on the true story of the horrifically disfigured John Merrick (a superb, unrecognisable John Hurt), who battled the prejudices of Victorian society. Full marks, too, for Freddie Francis's striking black-and-white cinematography and the excellent playing from a top-drawer cast (Anthony Hopkins, Anne Bancroft, John Gielgud). Made, surprisingly, given its weighty tone, by comic Mel Brooks's production company.
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A curious story which happens to be true; the film sets its scene superbly, has splendid performances and a fascinating make-up. Yet it fails to move quite as it should, perhaps because the central figure is treated as a horrific come-on, like the hunchba
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Most helpful member's review
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17 out of 17 people found this review helpful
Man or freak
No one watching this film cannot be moved by the sheer physical pain and social misery and manipulation John Merrick - aka the elephant man, endured during his short and troublesome life.
This film captures perfectly the sideshow circus theme, the era, the time, the poverty and the ignorance of the time, plus ignorance of this poor mans condition.
This film is the best version of the elephant man, and John Hurts portrayal is second to none, this is a weepy, and as you watch you begin to see John Merrick- in his very own words -as a human being. Poignant and touching. -
Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
The Elephant Man
This film would be betta if there wa a modern remake of it
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News and features
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John to put the Hurt on Indy?
- 08 May 2008
Screen legend John Hurt has sparked speculation that he plays the villain in the latest Indiana Jones adventure by letting slip that he was in one of the screen dust-ups with co-star Harrison Ford, according to reports. The gossip hounds at Digital Spy say the accomplished actor, who starred in The Elephant Man, Alien and Midnight Express, told the Times newspaper that Ford "does all his own fights. And I should know, I was in one of them." Although he appeared to backtrack, adding: &q Read more
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Elephant Man, The - HD DVD Version
David Lynch brings his own dreamlike style to the heartbreaking yet somehow uplifting story of John Merrick (John Hurt), a hideously deformed individual dubbed the Elephant Man during his years in a circus freak show in Victorian England. After suffering for years at the hands of his circus "master,...
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Elephant Man, The - BLU-RAY Version
David Lynch brings his own dreamlike style to the heartbreaking yet somehow uplifting story of John Merrick (John Hurt), a hideously deformed individual dubbed the Elephant Man during his years in a circus freak show in Victorian England. After suffering for years at the hands of his circus "master,...
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The Elephant Man
David Lynch brings his own dreamlike style to the heartbreaking yet somehow uplifting story of John Merrick (John Hurt), a hideously deformed individual dubbed the Elephant Man during his years in a circus freak show in Victorian England. After suffering for years at the hands of his circus "master,...
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