The Elephant Man (1980)

PG10/09/1980Drama, History2h 4m

A true story of courage and human dignity.

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.

Top Billed Cast

  1. Cast 1

    Anthony Hopkins

    Frederick Treves

  2. Cast 1

    John Hurt

    John Merrick

  3. Cast 1

    Anne Bancroft

    Mrs Kendal

  4. Cast 1

    John Gielgud

    Carr Gomm

  5. Cast 1

    Wendy Hiller

    Mothershead

  6. Cast 1

    Freddie Jones

    Bytes

  7. Cast 1

    Michael Elphick

    Night Porter

  8. Cast 1

    Hannah Gordon

    Mrs Treves

  9. Cast 1

    Helen Ryan

    Princess Alex

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. Prosthetics aside, John Hurt captures both the despair and optimism of Merrick with empathetic style; and Freddie Jones is just downright evil as "Bytes". His son Toby was at the screening and I couldn't help but wonder when he watched this portrayal by his father whether the...

Status Released

Original LanguageEnglish 

Budget$5,000,000.00

Revenue $26,000,000.00

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