IMDb > The Elephant Man (1980)
The Elephant Man
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The Elephant Man (1980) More at IMDbPro »

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The Elephant Man (1980) -- Based on a true story, the film examines the complex emotional experiences faced by John Merrick, "The Elephant Man" (John Hurt), when he is discovered by a dedicated surgeon (Anthony Hopkins).
The Elephant Man (1980) -- MyMovieScripts.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 8% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Christopher De Vore (screenplay) &
Eric Bergren (screenplay) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for The Elephant Man on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
10 October 1980 (USA) more
Tagline:
I am not an animal! I am a human being! I...am...a man!
Plot:
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 summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 8 Oscars. Another 8 wins & 13 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(23 articles)
The second outing of John Hurt
 (From The Guardian - TV News. 20 November 2009, 4:11 PM, PST)

The second outing of John Hurt
 (From The Guardian - Film News. 20 November 2009, 4:11 PM, PST)

User Comments:
Almost Too Heart-Wrenching To Watch more (264 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Runtime:
124 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
When Treeves sees Merrick for the first time, he sheds a single tear. Anthony Hopkins thought of his sick father at that moment to help him to cry. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: In reality, John Merrick's real name was Joseph Carey Merrick. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Skeleton Man: Get rid of them! I don't want to see them!
Fat Lady: Darling, don't be difficult! Let's take our sweet lovely children on an outing.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in I Am Not a Freak (1987) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Adagio For Strings more

FAQ

Is this film based on any particular account of the life of Joseph Merrick?
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
A NOTE REGARDING SPOILERS
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66 out of 73 people found the following comment useful.
Almost Too Heart-Wrenching To Watch, 1 November 2005
9/10
Author: ccthemovieman-1 from Lockport, NY, United States

Man, this is a powerful and great movie. We are all moved different degrees by different things, but to witness sincerely nice people being treated cruelly always bothers me big- time....so this film is tough to watch in spots. Some scenes are just painful and depressing to view.

Whatever your sensitivity, the movie is very involving and hauntingly shown with eerie black-and-white photography. Eerie, and downright beautiful camera-work in here, so kudos to cinematographer Freddie Francis, one of the best in the business.

A young Anthony Hopkins is very likable and John Hurt is, well, someone you won't soon forget as John Merrick, "The Elephant Man."

This is an uplifting movie at times, too, not just a tear-jerker or horrific in showing man's cruelty to man. Be prepared for an emotional experience and an amazing story.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (264 total)

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