The Elephant Man

David Lynch (1980)

118min

PG Certificate

Review

Our Score

by John Ferguson

This stylish, poignant drama is probably the closest director David Lynch has got to the mainstream outside of the unwieldy Dune. It's based on the true story of the horrifically disfigured John Merrick (a superb, unrecognisable John Hurt), who battled the prejudices of Victorian society. Full marks, too, for Freddie Francis's striking black-and-white cinematography, the incredible re-creation of the period's industrial grimness and the excellent playing from a top-drawer cast (Anthony Hopkins, Anne Bancroft, John Gielgud). Surprisingly, given its weighty tone, it was made by comic Mel Brooks's production company.

Summary

A tragically disfigured Victorian man wins the compassion and friendship of respected doctor Frederick Treves and became the toast of fashionable society. Fact-based drama, directed by David Lynch, and starring John Hurt, Anthony Hopkins, Anne Bancroft, John Gielgud, Wendy Hiller and Freddie Jones.

Cast & Crew

John Merrick John Hurt

Frederick Treves Anthony Hopkins

Mrs Madge Kendal Anne Bancroft

Carr Gomm John Gielgud

Mothershead Wendy Hiller

Bytes Freddie Jones

Night porter Michael Elphick

Mrs Treves Hannah Gordon

Princess Alex Helen Ryan

Fox John Standing

Bytes's boy Dexter Fletcher

Nora Lesley Dunlop

Merrick's mother Phoebe Nicholls

Director David Lynch

Other Information

Language: EnglishBlack and whiteTheatrical distributor: Studio CanalGuidance: Contains some violence.Available on: video, DVD and Blu-rayReleased on: 13 Mar 2020

Drama

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David Lynch (1980)

Review

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