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The Elephant Man

The Elephant Man

A true story of courage and human dignity.

19808.02h 4m

Overview

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.

Directed by David Lynch
Written by David Lynch, Christopher De Vore, Eric Bergren
Produced by Jonathan Sanger, Mel Brooks
Box OfficeBudget: $5.0MRevenue: $26.0M

Top Cast

Anthony Hopkins

Anthony Hopkins

Frederick Treves

John Hurt

John Hurt

John Merrick

Anne Bancroft

Anne Bancroft

Mrs Kendal

John Gielgud

John Gielgud

Carr Gomm

Wendy Hiller

Wendy Hiller

Mothershead

Freddie Jones

Freddie Jones

Bytes

Michael Elphick

Michael Elphick

Night Porter

Hannah Gordon

Hannah Gordon

Mrs Treves

Helen Ryan

Helen Ryan

Princess Alex

John Standing

John Standing

Fox

Themes & Keywords

friendshiplondon, englandescapenurseexploitationbiographybased on true storyhospitalblack and whitesocial injusticephysical abusecuriositydisabilitysideshowdying youngemotional vulnerabilitydisfigurementbirth defectdeformedcircus freakdiscriminationshamephysical disabilityhumanityphysical deformityfreak showfreakabuse19th centurydignitysocial isolationhuman monsteremotionanxietysocial integrationintrospectionpsychological healing1880s

About The Elephant Man

The Elephant Man is a drama, history film released in 1980 exploring themes of friendship, london, england, escape, nurse, exploitation, biography. Directed by David Lynch, it stars Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt, Anne Bancroft. 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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