THE ELEPHANT MAN

THE ELEPHANT MAN - 1980

RATED - PG for some physical and emotional abuse as well as its emotional intensity. Best for over 13.

RATINGS - 136 Amazon (5/5), 406,278 Netflix (3.8/5), 37.512 IMDB (8.4/10).

STARRING - Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt.

AWARDS - 8 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor (John Hurt), Winner of 1981 BAFTA Best Picture and Best Actor (John Hurt) Awards.

THEMES - Human dignity, love, relationships.

STORY - Based on the true story of John Merrick (John Hurt) who lived in the late 1800's, it tells of the transformation from a freak in a carnival to a person of worth and dignity. John Merrick was born perhaps the most disfigured and grotesque looking person in recorded history. We don't learn much about his birth and early life other than some surreal nightmares which allude to a traumatic experience in the past. We pick up his life as the police are shutting down his sideshow in the carnival because of it being 'inhuman' although the other 'freak' shows are allowed to continue. It takes about 20 minutes of seeing a glimpse here and there before we see the whole disfigured person. A London surgeon, Frederick Treves (Anthony Hopkins) hears about John and sneaks him into the isolation ward of the hospital to try and observe him and help him if he can. At first, he is convinced he is an imbecile, incapable of any meaningful human interaction. Then, he discovers a real person behind the grotesque face and the transformation begins thru Treves and other hospital staff. But Treves wonders if his motives are pure and has he just created another 'sideshow' for respectable people. The film is shot in black and white highlighting the era (Victorian) in which it took place as well as the stark reality of the circumstances. There are two particularly poignant moments in the film. One is John Merrick asking Treves if he can cure him and the other is when Merrick is being abused by a group of people who paid the night watchman at the hospital to bring them up to his room and look at him. One interesting note is that Mel Brooks Films produced this but kept his name out of it because he did not want people to think this was a comedy. Also, the incredible makeup job was actually done from an impression of the real John Merrick, made before he died. Besides being a terrific film on its own, it is a great reminder to all of us who may have judged someone by their outward appearance, that it is what is in the heart that matters. This is an outstanding movie, one to watch and rewatch. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 05/12/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB. JOHN MERRICK BIOGRAPHY