The Elephant Man
(PG, 2:03:27, Released 1980)
| Genres: | Drama |
| Release Date: | Oct 3, 1980 |
| DVD Release Date: | Dec 11, 2001 |
| Starring: | Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt, Anne Bancroft, John Gielgud, Wendy Hiller, Freddie Jones, Michael Elphick, Hannah Gordon, Helen Ryan |
| Directed by: | David Lynch |
| Synopsis: | 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. |
| Full movie details |
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Other Top Reviews
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December 14, 2009
A fascinating film in its entirety. Though it is not one that I would watch continuously, but it was definitely worth watching it for the first time. The true story of this unfortunate-looking man was very interesting. Though I was stumped to know that this was a Lynch film. It was almost nothing like the other Lynch films that I have seen (other than a few moments in the movie that were very much Lynch-esque) and I was somewhat disappointed that it wasn't more like Lynch's work. I did, however, fall into the characters, and I loved them. It is definitely a film that deserves to be in the text books.
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December 10, 2009
A remarkable film inspired by a true story.
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November 29, 2009
i see thise movie a lot of problem and the really pitty
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November 27, 2009
This film has been celebrated since it was released and there is nothing I can say, no compliment I can give that has not already been offered. I won't waste my time talking about the flawless cinematography and Lynch's genius use of black and white. Neither shall I mention the astounding acting. Though I will say it reminded me a lot of Edward Scissorhands, though it isn't quite as good as Edward Scissorhands.
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November 24, 2009
I think this was David Lynch's first acclaimed film. It's hard to find. I saw it along time ago and it had an everlasting effect. Ever since, I was raving about it and was finally able to see it again recently, within the last year. Not the same effect but still a good film. It really stands apart from other films. If you like this movie, you'll probably like 'Freaks' too. Another rarity.
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November 21, 2009
The black and white film style gives an authentically historical feeling to this film which is set in the Victorian era.
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November 20, 2009
Absolutely great movie, plus it was so sad, It really was one of the saddest film I've ever seen... John Hurt and Anthony Hopkins are exceptional. I don't know h-o-w people could see those types of "shows".
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November 20, 2009
Great, great movie. You should definitely watch it.
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November 13, 2009
David lynch on the map- milestone picture for him and Anthony Hopkins
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November 2, 2009
Eu esperava mais emoção de "The Elephant Man".
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October 30, 2009
Sir Anthony Hopkins gives another great acting performance
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October 27, 2009
Really truly heartbreaking in it's depiction of facial deformity and in it's general realistic tone, but very uplifting in a sense due to the sheer exuberance of John Merrick. He's just a guy who only has to deal with it. He didn't do anything amazing in his life, he just learned to live with it. The people around him couldn't even tolerate that. It amazes me how such a superficial thing could bother so many people. It's just his face. Despite being completely deformed, he still had beauty. That's all there is to it. John Hurt does a spectacular job and one can see why he's one of the greatest actors. His role requires him to mostly use his eye and he does it perfectly. Anthony Hopkins is excellent as well, but I think the strongest performance comes from Johnny G: AKA John Gielgud. I don't think I could ever be disappointed with any of his performances.
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October 27, 2009
I totally wanna watch this movie.
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October 16, 2009
Love this movie. It was very touching. Recommend it!
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October 9, 2009
One of the most conventional of David Lynch's films, starring antony hopkins. This is a very depressing film...But it is nothing short of absolute genius.
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October 1, 2009
most movies should be shot in black and white, it's just the best.
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September 28, 2009
Well l would have to say that this movie w
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September 18, 2009
David Lynch is one of the only directors working today who really understands black and white photography. It's not been this good since Eraserhead, again directed by Lynch. John Hurt is fantastic as Merrick, in this sad and true story of a disfigured man! It is a brilliant film.
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September 15, 2009
Review coming someday...
98/100 -
September 12, 2009
A tour de force by John Hurt, this and Quentin Crisp put him 'on the map' so to speak. Famous for the immortal lines of 'I am not an animal...' it's a sad movie and does not portray human nature in a positive light.
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September 8, 2009
i still am to understand Lynch's style. he wether creates completely puzzling stories, entering human psyche and analysing it, and where you have to watch the film at least three times to understand 1/3 of the film, or he creates these absolutely marvelous simple stories, though, i've noticed, the simple ones are often based on veridic stories.
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September 4, 2009
Dupa parerea mea fiecare persoana tre sa gaseasca putin timp ca sa se uita la acest film. Sincer am fost atinsa pinan adincul sufletului.......
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August 24, 2009
Que humilde y poderosa historia cuenta "The Elephant Man". Juzgando por los primeros minutos uno creeria que esta es otra bizarra historia de Lynch, sin embargo una vez que establece los personajes, la cinta toma enfoque y se vuelve extremadamente conmovedora. Las actuaciones son excelentes, especialmente de John Hurt como Merrick, el hombre elefante; el esta totalmente irreconocible y mediante un brillante trabajo de maquillaje, el hace que la cinta funcione. El resto del reparte tambien hace un estupendo trabajo.
La pelicula esta brillantemente ambientada y filmada en blanco y negro (algo bueno, ya que el color hubiera hecho que el maquillaje nos distrajera de la historia).
"The Elephant Man" es una estupenda cinta, que demuestra otra faceta de Lynch. -
August 14, 2009
Not that these things don't happen, but the movie is a bit one dimensional in its lets-all-feel-sorry-for-this-poor-fellow-now approach. That being said, pretty gut wrenching nonetheless.
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August 14, 2009
Best ever. It shows you can do anything.
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August 11, 2009
john hurt gives his best performence and the story was good
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August 6, 2009
Although filmed in 1980, director Lynch chose b/w to best heighten the harshness of the story and utilize shadowing with illusionary symbolism. Anthony Hopkins' best work overall as Dr. Treves.
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August 4, 2009
If you're into biopics, this is a good one. Just ignore the weird bit about a woman being scared by an elephant - they would have you believe that's how John Merrick came to be, which is idiotic. Nice to see a young Anthony Hopkins in a sensitive, caring role. He was pretty cute. Anne Bancroft is magnificent in her small part but John Hurt really carries the picture as John Merrick.
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July 20, 2009
I like this movie very much so sad.
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July 18, 2009
really want to see this one
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July 7, 2009
Crazy!! Had to watch this in school.
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July 4, 2009
woow ! cheeeeesy story but so greatly put in pictures !! and great acting as well !
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June 30, 2009
You're not an Elephant man...oh, Romeo !
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June 27, 2009
The Movie of my life. Rocked the very core of my 14 years.
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June 15, 2009
in places genuinly heart wrenching film, if its on you should check it out
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June 14, 2009
A tale of an intelligent, talented and gentle man so prominently disfigured as to evoke terror amongst the weak and the feminine. The benefactor is assisted by a surgeon whose efforts leads to questions on his own integrity of whether the cause which fueled him to act was evil or benediction. Also shown is how superficial appearances of an individual shape his interaction with the society and the way the community presents itself to him.
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June 11, 2009
David Lynch's most solid film. What a trip. Great story-telling.
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June 6, 2009
This is a wonderful movie, but it is very difficult and painful to watch. Some scenes are simply tragic. Bring the tissues, you'll need them.
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June 6, 2009
A study on different exploitations but the real John Merrick's life wasn't exactly what this movie portrays it to be. Despite the taking of liberties it's wonderfully subtle image of a man who just happens to look different and what is sadly the first thing people see.
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June 5, 2009
Great but tragic movie....
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May 28, 2009
If one was to turn on David Lynch's The Elephant Man midway through, without knowing what it was, one might be startled at the appearance of the main character. One might even be tempted to make fun of the character. But if one was to watch the film from the beginning, one's sympathy with John Merrick (John Hurt), 'The Elephant Man,' would be strong enough to deny that the former situation was ever a possibility. Lynch does not allow his audience to glimpse Merrick sans mask until his appearance has been built up substantially. When we the audience are at our zenith of anticipation, we see him-no dramatic music, no slow motion; a simple cut and he's there. There he is. And it's no big deal.
This is the beauty of Lynch's direction. We are led through our morbid curiosity at the same rate the characters in the film are. We develop alongside them. More specifically, we develop alongside Frederick Treeves, played with an astounding sublimity of emotion by Anthony Hopkins. Next to Treeves we pity Merrick, respect him, pity him again, and then ask ourselves with him, 'is he just a spectacle to me? Am I a bad person?'
Lynch certainly doesn't let us bypass this question easily. Are we bad people for being intrigued or are we good people for pitying? Certainly there is a mix of intrigue and pity with every character who first meets John, and we are not excluded. However, as with almost every character who truly comes to know John and confer with him, we learn to respect him as a human being and not as a spectacle. Nonetheless, this issue never finds close in the film, nor do I feel it ever can be closed in actual life. Hopkin's Treeves is never fully sated in how he feels about this dilemma, and so, neither can we be.
Technically, The Elephant Man is a beautifully shot film. In crisp black and white, the film recalls the cinematic technique of American cinema circa the 1930's. The scenes dissolve into one another; there is no brisk editing. The lighting is kept low-key during dark scenes, balanced during daytime scenes-this is standard film-making of the era. The one digression from this form are the distinctly Lynchian surrealities-pseudo-dream-sequences of commendably original imagery that break up the film and serve as distinct mood-setters for the audience. These are, for the most part, fairly intimidating sidenotes. We as an audience are caught off-guard because in these tangents we are not identifying with Treeves, we are put instead into Merrick's shoes. It is unsettling.
But Lynch has never been a director to flinch at unsettling prospects. We must watch Merrick beaten, abused, harassed, humiliated, and tormented. We may feel a surge of happiness when he finally stands up for himself, but by that point we still have to cope with what we've already, what he's already, experienced. I suppose that is the greatest and most devastating aspect of the film-empathy. Every moment is heartbreaking. Yet no matter how hard it gets, and how much better it then turns, there is always the threat of another jab. And those jabs only get more and more painful.
The Elephant Man is a perfect film. It is sorrowful but it apologizes not at all for it. It is a film about where our empathy stems from, a film that asks you to feel sorry but rebukes you for your blind pity. It asks you to respect Merrick, not cry for him. But you can't help crying. The Elephant Man is a film that treks you through despair and asks for your hope in the end. It asks you to hate humanity but to love the humane. It asks you to look at a man who appears sad and know that inside, he's okay. -
May 25, 2009
Fantastic human drama.
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May 20, 2009
yeah los primeros pininos de Anthony Hopkins la neta que chida historia
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May 7, 2009
I still cry like a bitch wheni watch this. Incredible film from Lynch! Moving performances and beautifully shot!
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April 27, 2009
Oh my god. I loved this movie. It was so sad but so good :*(
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April 26, 2009
Pros. = I like to see this story on black & white. It totally take you to the 1890 London and I believe this is mostly due to B&W filming. Memorable dialog was when Dr. Treves confess that he actually used John Merrick the same way as Bytes (tyrant freak showman).
Cons. = The story was significantly from the reality and there many elements of fiction on the movie to make it may be more attractable. -
April 22, 2009
I get really messed up watching this flick, but it's worth every minute.
