Elephant Man

As I sit down to write this review, my experiences with it from my youth came flooding back. I first saw it as a 17 year old high-schooler at my local movie theater, late one evening. I had seen, and enjoyed, the Broadway play a few months earlier, and wanted to see how the movie compared. The play, I should say, was very moving and had a certain spareness in its production design that was very effective. I had left the theatre with a moist eye and an interest in learning more about John Merrick, The Elephant Man (who had neurofibromatosis, NOT elephantitis, as is so often attributed to him).Anyway, when the movie concluded, the ENTIRE audience of 150 or so sat in its seats, numbed and unmoving. It was one of those experiences where you fight back your tears, because you're worried if you let go, you'll start bawling like a baby! The film was so profoundly moving to me and so artistically brilliant, that I went again the very next day, dragging reluctant friends with me. They were all stunned. I watched it AGAIN later that week.I've watched it on video a couple of times years ago, but until I rewatched it recently on DVD, it had been nearly 10 years since I'd seen it.The story is set in the early turn-of-the-twentieth-century London. John Merrick (John Hurt) is, for lack of a better word, enslaved as a sideshow freak. He has the most hideous growths on his bones, which give him a frightening appearance. His head is probably three times bigger than a normal human, and the shape resembles a lumpy dirigible. His limbs are mostly tangled messes. Noted physician Dr. Treves (Anthony Hopkins) hears of this "elephant man" and is fascinated so greatly by his condition that he brings him to his hospital for study. Everyone has always assumed this man must be a mute "idiot." Turns out that Merrick is a gentle, thoughtful and almost unbearably forgiving soul. The relationship that emerges between Treves and Merrick, as well as with Merrick and virtually everyone he encounters, is at the heart of this film.(Note of caution: The movie does not follow John Merrick's life terribly accurately...neither did the play. When I read the biography of Merrick that his doctor, Treves, wrote, I got his "true" story, which is just as moving in its own way.)David Lynch, we all know, is a "difficult" director, at least when it comes to narrative continuity. This movie, however, is his most accessible (along with THE STRAIGHT STORY, which doesn't even feel like a Lynch movie). It tells a straightforward story...no dancing dwarfs, no little people behind radiators, no Wizard of Oz references, etc. etc. No Laura Palmer. However, the touches he brings to it are pure Lynch, and they serve the movie profoundly.For example, the movie takes place in the midst of the early Industrial Revolution, when science was becoming more "popular" or "glorified" by the masses. It was also a time when London was awash in factories, and all the noise and pollution they wrought. If you've seen ERASERHEAD or DUNE, you know that Lynch likes to have lots of background noises of machinery. Often, those sounds are distracting. In ELEPHANT MAN, we are constantly aware, through these sounds, that we are in a very specific time and place, where the lifeblood of society was machinery, but big, dirty, unsubtle, dangerous machinery. This, coupled with the glorious black and white cinematography, truly create a mood that is unequaled.Also, there are some brief dream sequences in which Merrick sees his mother. She flits in and out of his dreams in a manner only Lynch can evoke. No one has ever been better at capturing on film the elusive nature of dreaming...that dreams are a crazy combination of good things and bad things happening all at once. These dreams are not a "device" but a window into Merrick's soul.Those of us who remember when the film first came out remember the constant rehashing of the "I am not an animal, I am a human being, I am a MAN!!" line that Merrick yells out when cornered in a train station. This howl of despair is one of the most gripping moments EVER put to film. I tear-up just thinking about it.The makeup is incredible. Having seen photos of the real Merrick, I can state that the makeup crew got it right! And the black and white helps to mask any imperfections. And underneath the makeup......is John Hurt, a fabulous actor in the role of his lifetime. He brings a delicacy and gentleness to the part that has to bee seen to be believed. I guarantee you'll be moved.Hurt is ably assisted by Anthony Hopkins in a role which calls for restraint, and he delivers, which is unusual for Hopkins, who can overact at the drop of a hat...I love him, but sometimes he can overdo it, you must admit. The rest of the cast is full of familiar British character actors, as well as a brief but incandescent appearance by Anne Bancroft. Everyone is at their very best.Initially, the film snags the viewer because of our fascination at seeing a human being so horrifically monstrous. It holds a lurid fascination that fades into compassion and empathy. If a person as horribly mistreated by his fellow man, as well as by fate, can find beauty, forgiveness, tenderness and love flowing from him and to him...well, the film leaves you to draw your own personal conclusions.I know that Lynch receives more ongoing accolades for his disturbing BLUE VELVET, and of course, for the groundbreaking TWIN PEAKS...but THE ELEPHANT MAN is the one I'm always drawn back to.I simply cannot recommend this film highly enough. Moviemaking doesn't get any more heartbreaking and effective than this masterpiece.

The Elephant Man is a 1980 British-American historical drama film about Joseph Merrick (whom the script calls John Merrick), a severely deformed man in late 19th century London. The film was directed by David Lynch and stars John Hurt, Anthony Hopkins, Anne Bancroft, John Gielgud, Wendy Hiller, Michael Elphick, Hannah Gordon, and Freddie Jones. Hopkins stars as Mr. Treves, a pronounced surgeon who provides medical attention to John and establishes an unlikely friendship with him soon after.The screenplay for this film was adapted by Lynch, Christopher De Vore, and Eric Bergren from Frederick Treves's 'The Elephant Man and Other Reminiscences' (1923) and Ashley Montagu's 'The Elephant Man: A Study in Human Dignity' (1971); considering a majority of Merrick's life preceding the point at which this film start has not been knowingly documented, this is a fairly accurate representation of the true story it is based off of. 'The Elephant Man' s concise in that it summarizes the "high points" of Merrick's life in a way that is not mundane and maintains the amount of dignity and respect this particular story is more-than-deserving of.Ironically enough, the works this movie is based off are regularly criticized for the way in which Treve's is presented in them. The claims are that Treves' is made to have an immense amount of "heroic appeal" despite ultimately doing not much more than treating Merrick with what is now an expected amount of compassion. In this film, however, more is done to introduce some amount of complexity and social commentary regarding the role Treves ultimately played in the years he was accompanied by Mr. MInnick. This is best demonstrated by one scene in particular where the surgeon asks another colleague out loud whether he is ultimately a good man or bad man since the amount of attention Mr. Minnick receives in the hospital is directly influenced by the perception other cast members have of the affect Mr. Treves has on Joseph's quality of life. This is a very good way to encourage an audience to think critically about their actions - even if they are good intending - and examine the role they play in the lives of marginalized individuals.If I had one complaint, I would say this movie would have benefit from bridging the gap between the emotional and professional investment Treves has in keeping Mr. Minnick in his company. I am overjoyed by the message that individuals with disabilities need not perform or act specific ways to be treated with kindness - but at the end of the day, Mr. Treves is still a medical professional and will naturally make observations or have questions about him that your average joe might not. What conclusions about the structure of MInnick's brain can Treves make by knowing he can talk and understand language that is spoken to him? By what means is he not "curable"? Was there any attempt on his part to "understand" this condition in an effort to educate others about it? I want to say yes, but since I am not sure I have to bring this up as an attribute that may lead to a potential point of conjecture for another viewer.My criticism aside - this is a fantastic biographical account that captures the true essence and power that simple acts of positive affirmations and empowerment can mean to individuals that need them the most: I would recommend!

Great but sad movie

The Elephant Man is a fantastic, underrated and very powerful film. I've always been fascinated with the true story of John Merrick, otherwise known as the Elephant Man. I can remember watching this at a young age and it always resonated with me, about the story of a deformed man who was ridiculed, mocked and beaten because he was seen as a creature and an outcast from everybody else, not realising that an individual's personality is not based on their appearance, but within themselves. This film portrays not only the worst of humanity, but also the best of humanity as a contrast is made when we see him being taken care of, loved and accepted by Mr. Treves amongst others in the hospital. Not only do I recommend this film highly because it's a fantastic film (with its direction, the performances from Anthony Hopkins and especially John Hurt as John Merrick, as well the emotional power of many scenes), but also because it's an important one, about reminding us never to judge what a person is like based on their appearance. It's a film that moves me every time I watch it, especially the scene at the end played against Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings, which is just perfect. It's not for the faint of heart, as it is unpleasant to see him mistreated by others and his owner, but if you allow the film to move you and to make you think, it is a brilliant film, so much so that it's actually in my top 5 favourite films of all time.

Weird and wonderful horror. The film delves deeply into the weird and wonderful world of the Victorian Freakshow. There are freaks galore made more interesting with the black and white cinematography and a spine chilling score by John Morris. The film does however come to a sudden conclusion but the melancholical closing music remains memorable. The plot follows the true story of John Merrick and his rise from circus freak to a member of high society London in the 1800s.

It's easy to forget what a one-off work of genius this movie is. Think about it - a young David Lynch fresh off Eraserhead and bubbling with talent and creativity. A cast of the UKs finest actors - pre ham Anthony Hopkins, Johns Hurt and Geilgud, a wonderful turn by Freddie Jones. All shot by arguably the best cinematographer ever from these shores, Freddie Francis. Did I mention Chris Tuckers makeup effects? It's a never to be repeated mix of talents and the resultant film is luminous, dark, tragic and unforgettable.This blu ray is a revelation - the glistening, steamy Victorian world is even more vivid. This is a must have for all movie lovers, and the packaging is great too.

This film holds a denominate place in my heart. Its core is unpretentious and undemanding, never attempting to alter the life of a man and place it in a modern setting. And this is what makes The Elephant Man, or John "Joseph" Merrick, so believable and so lovable. It took the work of Anthony Hopkins' character, Dr. Frederick Treves, to expose the class and intelligence, allowing his tormented past and his defamers to loose their hold on his existence. It is only because of the actions of others, and Merrick's passivity, that he succumbs to their fears and disgust, but ultimately he is the one that fights back in a beautiful scene that showcases him not as a violent man lashing out against those that have berated him, but that of class, collected demeanour, and proud sensibility. This shocks the ignorant and even earns him their respect. It is a wonderful testament to the power of words, forgiveness and of confidence. John's pride, built up gradually by the support of Frederick Treves, surpasses the inherent fears of the public and teaches them a lesson in human decency. This is incredibly inspiring.However, the film never tries too hard to do this; to teach the audience about understanding and acceptance, for that would be hypocritical in itself. You are shown through excellent editing, scripting and acting from John Hurt that David Lynch understands the human psyche regarding the strange abnormalities of life and how it affects everyone else around. There are many ways this is done, but none more obviously and powerfully than the fated conclusion. The end of the story could be seen as somewhat of a downer, as you're reminded of the frailty of The Elephant Man and all that surrounds him, but this is crucial because it demonstrates not only the pride of this brave man, even to his last breath, but also that life within such pride comes to an inevitable end, and that one shouldn't worry too much about it. I think it's making the point that if we are to go out then we should go out with a bang and with a song in our hearts. And to me, that is not such a negative thing; to me, it's pride at its most prevailing and powerful.David Lynch is a fantastic director, as he is able to capture various different themes and voices by utilizing light, sound, angles, and pacing. This means that we are not only offered a tale of pride and loving support overcoming adversity, but also a fine example of film-making. The black and white is entirely befitting and does not strain the eyes or feel forced -- not once did I feel disconnected from the universe or that something was added for shock value or needless artistic merit. The settings and backdrops were full of details and, at times, over-the-top beauty and grime. This helped the audience understand the contrasts of the supportive staff at the hospital and the manipulative group of slackers at the taverns and the circus's. But again, Lynch never forces anything down your throat. The morality of it is certainly not left up to your own self, but John Hurt's acting as John Merrick shows how someone belittled. hurt and totally disfigured and destined for death can still love, still show understanding, and still show some class. That is incredibly inspiring.

The film is fantastic I highly recommend it. Not just for Lynch fans. There are many releases of it so make sure you get the best one for you. I got the Swedish release because it plays in English, had the longest run time available (2hrs 3minutes) and crucially had English subtitles. Considering the film is over 40 years old it stands the test of time well. Worth buying.