The Elephant Man (1980)
A film by David Lynch
This film tells the true story of John Merrick, a man hideously deformed by a rare illness. The film begins with a hazy scene of a woman being trampled by an elephant, and a baby crying. The film then quickly switches to the dark and dreary location of Victorian London, and a freak show where there is a commotion. We see the faces of spectators, aghast and appalled by their viewing of a particular freak. A doctor passing by notices this and investigates further, and eventually sees the freakish man. That scene is one of the best not only in this film but in all of film. The tear rolling down the cheek of the doctor (played brilliantly by Sir Anthony Hopkins) is very touching. The doctor decides to take the man to his hospital to look after him, teach him, and help him become a respected member of society. The rest of the cast are all exemplary, with Freddy Jones as the freak show owner; Sir John Gielgud as the head of the hospital; and John Hurt being Oscar-nominated for his performance as Merrick. The Oscar-nominated direction by David Lynch is perfect, too. The make up effects are excellent. Some of the early scenes have the feel of Eraserhead to them, with the black-and-white drab location, with all the industrial steam and noise. The sound is appropriate. The ending is like a salvation, with a look into the stars and the heavens. It is an exquisitely crafted, touching tale of human compassion.
Read The Elephant Man screenplay
Watch the trailer
"If there's a wrong note in this unique movie - in performance, production design, cinematography or anywhere else - I must have missed it." - Paul Taylor, Time Out.
"In an age of horror movies this is a film which takes the material of horror and translates it into loving kindness." - Dilys Powell, Punch.
Premonitions Following an Evil Deed
