The Elephant Man

Name: The Elephant Man
Genre: Biography, Drama
Released: October 10, 1980
Duration: 124 min
Rating: 78
Cast: Anne Bancroft, Anthony Hopkins, Freddie Jones, Hannah Gordon, Helen Ryan

1980

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 75 Ratings

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8.5

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8.5	User Score Universal acclaim based on 75 Ratings

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The Elephant Man

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: October 10, 1980 | TV-PG

Starring: Anne Bancroft, Anthony Hopkins, Freddie Jones, Hannah Gordon, Helen Ryan, John Gielgud, John Hurt, John Standing, Michael Elphick, Wendy Hiller

Summary: A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man who is mistreated while scraping a living as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous facade, there is revealed a person of intelligence and sensitivity.

Director: David Lynch

Genre(s): Biography, Drama

Rating: TV-PG

Runtime: 124 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Kevin Thomas

David Lynch's superb and subtly ironic 1980 film reveals the shining humanity in a horribly disfigured--and horribly mistreated--young man who actually lived in England in the late 19th Century and was rescued by an enlightened Victorian physician. Read full review

100

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

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

100

Richard Corliss

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. Read full review

Pauline Kael

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.

Empire Kim Newman

If you thought the sweetness of The Straight Story was unprecedented in Lynchs work, look again at this earlier true-life tale of odd, everyday heroism. Read full review

Dave Kehr

Despite the rich associations, the film finally makes little more of its central figure, a hideously deformed young man, than an object of pity. Read full review

Gary Arnold

A powerful period setting might have taken up the slack, but Lynch doesn't impose the past as vividly as the theme demands. Nor does he place us in a position to appreciate Merrick's fears and longings as if they were our own. [17 Oct 1980, p.C1]

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User Reviews

kyle20ellis

Mar 26, 2022

You have got to love the Elephant Man. There isn't one scene that doesn't move me. It is also underrated, as it is very difficult to find, and is hardly on TV. The cinematography was beautiful, and the subject matter about a doctor treating a heavily-disfigured man is so sensitively handledYou have got to love the Elephant Man. There isn't one scene that doesn't move me. It is also underrated, as it is very difficult to find, and is hardly on TV. The cinematography was beautiful, and the subject matter about a doctor treating a heavily-disfigured man is so sensitively handled I felt I was there. One of the most moving scenes, was right at the beginning when Treves sees Merrick for the first time, and a tear rolls down his cheek.Extraordinary! The scene with Treve's wife is so sad that I had tears in my eyes for the rest of the movie. When he cries, "I am not an animal, I am a human being," I was actually sobbing. i really was. The ending, with the lovely Adagio for Strings(the only time it has been played well) was so poignant, as was the scene in the theatre, with the Tchaikovsky-like music, and Merrick enjoying himself like a 6 year old boy. The music is very haunting, as made apparent in the crowd scene mocking Merrick in the hospital. Don't criticise the beginning, or the end, because David Lynch was trying to create images of pure sadness and inner beauty, and they were very powerful images. As for the performances, never have I seen Anthony Hopkins more sensitive than he was here(well except for the final scene of Shadowlands). His performance was actually one of the main reasons why this movie is so beautiful. The best performance, without a doubt, is the heart-rending performance of John Hurt as John Merrick. Almost unrecognisable, but so magnificent, especially when he recited the psalm without the help of Treves. It is also incredibly difficult to speak with a lopsided mouth, and John Hurt mastered it. Other notable performances are from Freddie Jones, Anne Bancroft, Michael Elphick and Sir John Gielgud. Anyone who gave this a 1/10, what is wrong with you? This is an absolute masterpiece, without question! 10/10. Bethany Cox… Expand