The Elephant Man
“A true story of courage and human dignity.”
1980·2h 4m·en·PG
8.0
Overview
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.
Where to Watch (US)
Details
- Director
- David Lynch
- Written by
- David Lynch, Eric Bergren, Christopher De Vore
- Produced by
- Mel Brooks, Jonathan Sanger
- Composer
- John Morris
- Studio
- Brooksfilms
Released October 9, 1980·United States, United Kingdom·$5,000,000 budget·$26,000,000 revenue
Cast
Anthony Hopkins
Frederick Treves
John Hurt
John Merrick
Anne Bancroft
Mrs Kendal
John Gielgud
Carr Gomm
Wendy Hiller
Mothershead
Freddie Jones
Bytes
Michael Elphick
Night Porter
Hannah Gordon
Mrs Treves
Helen Ryan
Princess Alex
John Standing
Fox
Dexter Fletcher
Bytes' Boy
Lesley Dunlop
Nora
Phoebe Nicholls
Merrick's Mother
Pat Gorman
Fairground Bobby
No photo
Claire Davenport
Fat Lady
No photo
Orla Pederson
Skeleton Man
Keywords
london, englandnurseexploitationbiographyfriendshipbased on true storyescapehospitalblack and whitesocial injusticephysical abusecuriositydisabilitysideshowdying youngemotional vulnerabilitydisfigurementbirth defectdeformedcircus freakdiscriminationshamephysical disabilityhumanityphysical deformityfreak showfreakabuse19th centurydignitysocial isolationhuman monsteremotionanxietysocial integrationintrospectionpsychological healing1880s
