The Elephant Man (1980)

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Written by Sir Frederick Treves, Ashley Montagu

Directed by David Lynch

Running Time: 100 minutes (approx)

Production Year: 1980

Rating: PG Certificate

Filmed in Black and White

David Lynch's powerful and poignant film The Elephant Man brought the true and hitherto obscure story of the shockingly disfigured John Merrick to a worldwide audience. Released in 1980, its central performances - from John Hurt as Merrick (aka the Elephant Man) and Anthony Hopkins as Frederick Treves (the surgeon who rescues him from a fairground freak show) - are high-class acts indeed. Hurt, almost unrecognisable beneath the heavy make-up, is quite superb, while Hopkins's performance is relatively restrained, and all the better for it.

If that wasn't enough, the quality support cast - including Anne Bancroft, John Gielgud, Wendy Hiller and Freddie Jones - lock in tightly, providing excellent underpinning. And look out for a super little cameo from Michael Elphick as the night porter.

Sympathetically shot in black and white by Freddie Francis, the film stoically delivers Merrick's story, faithfully recreating the horrors of Victorian England and exposing the social prejudices of that time. Nominated for eight Oscars, it's probably Lynch's most conventional movie. Highly recommended.

Cast

Image for Anthony HopkinsAnthony HopkinsDr. Frederick 'Freddie' Treves
Image for John HurtJohn HurtJohn Merrick 'The Elephant Man'
Image for Anne BancroftAnne BancroftMrs. Kendal
Image for John GielgudJohn GielgudCarr Gomm
Image for Wendy HillerWendy HillerMothershead
Image for Freddie JonesFreddie JonesBytes
Image for Michael ElphickMichael ElphickNight Porter
Hannah GordonMrs. Anne Treves
Helen RyanPrincess Alex
John StandingDr. Fox
Image for Dexter FletcherDexter FletcherBytes's Boy
Lesley DunlopNora
Phoebe NichollsMerrick's Mother
Pat GormanFairground Bobby
Claire DavenportFat Lady

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