The Elephant Man

3.75
    The Elephant Man
    1980

    Synopsis

    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.

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    Cast

    • Anthony HopkinsDr. Frederick Treves
    • John HurtJohn Merrick
    • Anne BancroftMrs. Kendal
    • John GielgudCarr Gomm
    • Wendy HillerMothershead
    • Freddie JonesBytes
    • Michael ElphickNight Porter
    • Hannah GordonMrs. Anne Treves
    • Helen RyanPrincess Alex
    • John StandingDr. Fox

    Recommandations

    • 100

      The Telegraph

      Hurt is brilliant as Merrick, projecting in his anguished eyes and mournful body language a humanity past the makeup that embodies so convincingly the pain of Merrick, the original elephant man, whose rare disease was exploited by the people running a Victorian freak show.
    • 100

      Time

      This is a tale of redemption and transcendence, of the hunchback of London Hospital, of the noble phantom who want to go to the opera, of Beauty and the Beast. In Treves' account, though, the Beast was a Beauty. In Lynch's hands, so is this film.
    • 100

      Time Out

      A marvelous movie, shot in stunning black-and-white by Freddie Francis.
    • 100

      TV Guide Magazine

      Hurt gives a tour de force performance, masterfully conveying emotions while unable to use his face or even much of his voice.
    • 90

      Variety

      Hopkins is splendid in a subtly nuanced portrayal of a man torn between humanitarianism and qualms that his motives in introducing the Elephant Man to society are no better than those of the brutish carny. The center-piece of the film, however, is the virtuoso performance by the almost unrecognizable John Hurt.
    • 90

      The New Yorker

      A very pleasurable surprise. Lighted by Freddie Francis, this film is perhaps the most beautiful example of black-and-white cinematography in about 15 years.
    • 90

      The New Yorker

      Lynch’s powerful depiction of Merrick (played by John Hurt) moves a viewer from revulsion and fear to empathy and tenderness.
    • 80

      Empire

      If you thought the sweetness of The Straight Story was unprecedented in Lynch’s work, look again at this earlier true-life tale of odd, everyday heroism.

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