The Elephant Man

A true story of courage and human dignity.

1980 • 124 min • Drama · History

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Critics

2 reviews

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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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Top billed cast

Director: David Lynch • Crew: David Lynch, Christopher De Vore, Eric Bergren

Trailers & clips

David Lynch on Mel Brooks & THE ELEPHANT MAN | Special Feature (Excerpt)

David Lynch: Mel Brooks Is the Guy Who Put Me on the Map

Emotional scene from THE ELEPHANT MAN

Clip

Reveal

First 10 Minutes [4K Remastered]

Official 40th Anniversary Restoration Trailer

Interview with John Hurt

Critic reviews

freshTop critics
Saw this, recently up-converted to 4K at the London Film Festival and, apart from the clear improvements to the quality and detail of the image, I was reminded of just how good it is. Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft play their roles with engaging sincerity - very ably supported by Sir John Gielgud and Dame Wendy Hiller.…
CinemaSerf, TMDB Community

freshTop critics
_**The ultimate outcast**_ In 1884 London, a doctor (Anthony Hopkins) meets Joseph Merrick, aka The Elephant Man (wrongly called John Merrick in the film) who was being exploited as a freak show attraction. Treves (Hopkins) tries to help Merrick (John Hurt) for the last six years of the latter’s life wherein he becomes cultured, but he inevitably remains an object of curiosity, to high society as well as low society.…
Wuchak, TMDB Community