The Elephant Man (1980)

Synopsis of The Elephant Man

John Hurt stars as John Merrick, the hideously deformed 19th century Londoner known as "The Elephant Man". Treated as a sideshow freak, Merrick is assumed to be retarded as well as misshapen because of his inability to speak coherently. In fact, he is highly intelligent and sensitive, a fact made public when one Dr. Frederick Treves (Anthony Hopkins) rescues Merrick from a carnival and brings him to a hospital for analysis. Alas, even after being recognized as a man of advanced intellect, Merrick is still treated like a freak; no matter his station in life, he will forever be a prisoner of his own malformed body. Unable to secure rights for the famous stage play The Elephant Man, producer Mel Brooks based his film on the memoirs of Frederick Treves and a much later account of Merrick's life by Ashley Montagu. The film is lensed in black and white by British master cinematographer Freddie Francis. Though nominated for eight Academy Awards, the film was ultimately shut out in every category. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:

123 mins

Director(s):

David Lynch

Writer(s):

Eric Bergren, Christopher de Vore, David Lynch

Producer(s):

Stuart Cornfield, Jonathan Sanger

Theatrical MPAA Rating:

PG(Adult Situations, Questionable for Children)

• 1980 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Art Direction
• 1980 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Picture
• 1980 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Actor
• 1981 - French Academy of Cinema - Best Foreign Film

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