The Elephant Man (1980)
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- PG
- 2h 4min
- Biography, Drama
- 10 Oct 1980 (USA)
- Movie
A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man who is mistreated while scraping a living as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous façade, there is revealed a person of kindness, intelligence and sophistication.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- Nominated for 8 Oscars. Another 11 wins & 14 nominations.
- See more »
Reviews:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Anthony Hopkins | ... |
Dr. Frederick Treves
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| John Hurt | ... |
John Merrick
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| Anne Bancroft | ... |
Mrs. Kendal
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| John Gielgud | ... |
Carr Gomm
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| Wendy Hiller | ... |
Mothershead
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| Freddie Jones | ... |
Bytes
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| Michael Elphick | ... |
Night Porter
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| Hannah Gordon | ... |
Mrs. Treves
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| Helen Ryan | ... |
Princess Alex
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| John Standing | ... |
Fox
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| Dexter Fletcher | ... |
Bytes' Boy
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| Lesley Dunlop | ... |
Nora
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| Phoebe Nicholls | ... |
Merrick's Mother
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| Pat Gorman | ... |
Fairground Bobby
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Claire Davenport | ... |
Fat Lady
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| Orla Pederson | ... |
Skeleton Man
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| Patsy Smart | ... |
Distraught Woman
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| Frederick Treves | ... |
Alderman
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Stromboli | ... |
Fire Eater
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Richard Hunter | ... |
Hodges
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James Cormack | ... |
Pierce
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Robert Lewis Bush | ... |
Messenger
(as Robert Bush)
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Roy Evans | ... |
Cabman
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Joan Rhodes | ... |
Cook
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Nula Conwell | ... |
Nurse Kathleen
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Tony London | ... |
Young Porter
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| Alfie Curtis | ... |
Milkman
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Bernadette Milnes | ... |
1st Fighting Woman
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Brenda Kempner | ... |
2nd Fighting Woman
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Carol Harrison | ... |
Tart
(as Carole Harrison)
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| Hugh Manning | ... |
Broadneck
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Dennis Burgess | ... |
1st Committee Man
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Fanny Carby | ... |
Mrs. Kendal's Dresser
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| William Morgan Sheppard | ... |
Man in Pub
(as Morgan Sheppard)
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| Kathleen Byron | ... |
Lady Waddington
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Gerald Case | ... |
Lord Waddington
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| David Ryall | ... |
Man with Whores
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Deirdre Costello | ... |
1st Whore
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| Pauline Quirke | ... |
2nd Whore
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| Kenny Baker | ... |
Plumed Dwarf
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Chris Greener | ... |
Giant
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Marcus Powell | ... |
Midget
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Gilda Cohen | ... |
Midget
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Lesley Scoble | ... |
Siamese Twin
(as Lisa Scoble)
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Teri Scoble | ... |
Siamese Twin
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| Eiji Kusuhara | ... |
Japanese Bleeder
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Robert Day | ... |
Little Jim
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| Patricia Hodge | ... |
Screaming Mum
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Tommy Wright | ... |
First Bobby
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Peter Davidson | ... |
Second Bobby
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John Rapley | ... |
King in Panto
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Hugh Spight | ... |
Puss in Panto
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Teresa Codling | ... |
Princess in Panto
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Marion Betzold | ... |
Principal Boy
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Caroline Haigh | ... |
Tree
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Florenzio Morgado | ... |
Tree
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Victor Kravchenko | ... |
Lion & Coachman
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Beryl Hicks | ... |
Fairy
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Michele Amas | ... |
Horse
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Lucie Alford | ... |
Horse
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Penny Wright | ... |
Horse
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Janie Kells | ... |
Horse
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| Lydia Lisle | ... |
Merrick's Mother
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Leslie Adams | ... |
Man in Crowd (uncredited)
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Jack Armstrong | ... |
Man at Lecture (uncredited)
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Richard Atherton | ... |
Man in Crowd (uncredited)
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Frances Baker | ... |
Bystander (uncredited)
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Eric Bergren | ... |
Lyra Box Player #1 (uncredited)
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| Adam Caine | ... |
Kid at Train Station (uncredited)
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Ina Clare | ... |
Woman in Pub (uncredited)
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| Tony Clarkin | ... |
Thug from Pub (uncredited)
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Dave Cooper | ... |
Man in Crowd (uncredited)
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Alan Cope | ... |
Man at Lecture (uncredited)
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Christopher De Vore | ... |
Lyra Box Player #2 (uncredited)
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| Harry Fielder | ... |
Policeman (uncredited)
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Chick Fowles | ... |
Man in Pub (uncredited)
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Otto Friese | ... |
Man at Lecture (uncredited)
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| Norman Gay | ... |
Doctor (uncredited)
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Jill Goldston | ... |
Nurse (uncredited)
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George Holdcroft | ... |
Lecture Assistant (uncredited)
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Barrie Holland | ... |
Man in Crowd (uncredited)
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| Juba Kennerley | ... |
Committee Member (uncredited)
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Cyril Kent | ... |
Pub Patron (uncredited)
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| David Lynch | ... |
Man in Bowler Hat in Mob Chasing Merrick (uncredited)
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Jay McGrath | ... |
Man at Lecture (uncredited)
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| Ralph G. Morse | ... |
Young Aristocrat (uncredited)
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Henry Roberts | ... |
Man at Lecture (uncredited)
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Peter Ross-Murray | ... |
Drunken Docker (uncredited)
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Kevin Schumm | ... |
Kid at Train Station #2 (uncredited)
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Ian Selby | ... |
Courtier (uncredited)
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| Guy Standeven | ... |
Committee Member (uncredited)
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| Reg Thomason | ... |
Lecture Assistant (uncredited)
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| Fred Wood | ... |
Injured Man (uncredited)
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Directed by
| David Lynch | ||
Written by
| Christopher De Vore | ... | (screenplay) & |
| Eric Bergren | ... | (screenplay) & |
| David Lynch | ... | (screenplay) |
| Frederick Treves | ... | (book "The Elephant Man and Other Reminiscences") (as Sir Frederick Treves) |
| Ashley Montagu | ... | (in part on the book "The Elephant Man: A Study in Human Dignity") |
Produced by
| Mel Brooks | ... | executive producer (uncredited) |
| Stuart Cornfeld | ... | executive producer |
| Jonathan Sanger | ... | producer |
Music by
| John Morris | ||
Cinematography by
| Freddie Francis | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Anne V. Coates | ||
Editorial Department
| Patrick Moore | ... | assistant editor |
Casting By
| Maggie Cartier | ||
Production Design by
| Stuart Craig | ||
Art Direction by
| Robert Cartwright | ... | (as Bob Cartwright) |
Set Decoration by
| Hugh Scaife | ||
Costume Design by
| Patricia Norris | ||
Makeup Department
| Paula Gillespie | ... | hairdresser |
| Stephanie Kaye | ... | hairdresser |
| Beryl Lerman | ... | makeup artist |
| Michael Morris | ... | makeup artist |
| Wally Schneiderman | ... | makeup application: 'Elephant Man' / makeup supervisor |
| Christopher Tucker | ... | makeup creator: 'Elephant Man' / makeup designer: 'Elephant Man' |
Production Management
| Terence A. Clegg | ... | executive in charge of production |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Gerry Gavigan | ... | second assistant director |
| Anthony Waye | ... | assistant director |
| Andy Armstrong | ... | third assistant director (uncredited) |
| Nick Daubeny | ... | third assistant director (uncredited) |
Art Department
| Reg Richards | ... | construction manager |
| Terry Wells | ... | property master |
| Peter Benson | ... | dressing props (uncredited) |
| Gavin Bocquet | ... | junior draughtsman (uncredited) |
| Steve Furneaux | ... | carpenter (uncredited) |
| Brian Morris | ... | set painter (uncredited) |
| John Roberts | ... | set designer (uncredited) |
| Adrian Start | ... | chargehand painter (uncredited) |
| Malcolm Walker | ... | construction crew (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Robin Gregory | ... | sound mixer |
| Peter Horrocks | ... | sound editor |
| John Iles | ... | engineer: Dolby |
| David Lynch | ... | sound designer |
| Alan Splet | ... | sound designer / special sound effects |
| Doug E. Turner | ... | dubbing mixer (as Doug Turner) |
| Michael Sale | ... | sound maintenance (uncredited) |
| Terry Sharratt | ... | boom operator (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| Graham Longhurst | ... | special effects |
| Neil Corbould | ... | special effects (uncredited) |
| Paul Corbould | ... | special effects (uncredited) |
| Martin Gutteridge | ... | special effects supervisor (uncredited) |
| Garth Inns | ... | special effects (uncredited) |
Visual Effects by
| Doug Ferris | ... | matte artist (uncredited) |
| David Smith | ... | optical cameraman: Camera Effects Ltd (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Frank Connor | ... | still photographer |
| Jim Dawes | ... | dolly grip |
| Jerry Dunkley | ... | camera operator |
| Roy Larner | ... | gaffer |
| Alan Annand | ... | clapper loader (uncredited) |
| Mike Bulley | ... | clapper loader (uncredited) |
| Wick Finch | ... | electrician (uncredited) |
| Billy Malone | ... | second assistant camera (uncredited) |
| John Matthews | ... | best boy (uncredited) |
| Tim Ross | ... | focus puller (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Tiny Nicholls | ... | wardrobe supervisor |
| Babs Gray | ... | wardrobe (uncredited) |
Location Management
| Graham Ford | ... | location manager |
Music Department
| Jack Hayes | ... | orchestrator |
| Skaila Kanga | ... | musician: harp |
| Michael Lea | ... | musician: double bass |
| John Morris | ... | conductor |
| National Philharmonic Orchestra | ... | music played by (as National Philharmonic Orchestra) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Ceri Evans Cooper | ... | continuity (as Ceri Evans) |
| Jack H. Degelia | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Brian Hathaway | ... | transportation |
| Gerry Turner | ... | transportation |
Additional Crew
| Randy Auerbach | ... | researcher |
| Loretta Ordewer | ... | production secretary |
| John Trehy | ... | production accountant |
| Ellen Adolph | ... | manager of production accounting (uncredited) |
| John William Ault | ... | film extra (uncredited) |
| John Chambers | ... | finance executive (uncredited) |
| Gordon Davis | ... | cashier (uncredited) |
| Bill Launder | ... | assistant accountant (uncredited) |
| Dena Vincent | ... | producer's secretary (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Paramount Pictures (1980) (United States) (theatrical)
- Columbia-EMI-Warner (1980) (United Kingdom) (theatrical) (through)
- Solopan (1980) (Poland)
- Adams Filmi (1981) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1981) (Brazil) (theatrical)
- Consorzio Italiano Distributori Indipendenti Film (CIDIF) (1981) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Constantin Film (1981) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- Gaumont (1981) (France) (theatrical)
- Greater Union Organisation (GUO) (1981) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Kommunenes Filmcentral (KF) (1981) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Sandrew Film & Teater (1981) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Toho-Towa (1981) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Zagreb Film (1981) (Yugoslavia) (theatrical)
- Özen Film (1981) (Turkey) (theatrical)
- Paramount Home Entertainment (1981) (United States) (video) (laserdisc)
- Sociedade Importadora de Filmes (SIF) (1981) (Portugal) (theatrical)
- Thorn EMI Video (1982) (France) (VHS) (dubbed version)
- Thorn EMI Video Australia (1983) (Australia) (VHS)
- Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (Argentina) (VHS)
- VTI Home Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
- National Film Development Corporation (1983) (India) (theatrical)
- NHK-BS2 (1989) (Japan) (tv)
- TV3 (1989) (Finland) (tv)
- Thorn EMI Video (Finland) (video)
- La Cinq (1990) (France) (tv) (dubbed version)
- Nelonen (1997) (Finland) (tv)
- Paramount Home Entertainment (United States) (VHS) (pan/scan)
- RCV Home Entertainment (2001) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2001) (Finland) (DVD)
- Sandrews (2001) (Sweden) (DVD)
- Paramount Home Entertainment (2003) (United States) (DVD)
- Zazie Films (2004) (Japan) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Gativideo (2006) (Argentina) (DVD)
- Universal Home Video (2006) (Brazil) (DVD)
- Momentum Pictures Home Entertainment (2007) (United Kingdom) (DVD) (HD-DVD)
- Sandrews (2007) (Sweden) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD) (HD-DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2007) (Sweden) (DVD) (HD-DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2007) (Finland) (DVD)
- Plus Video (2008) (Argentina) (DVD)
- IPA Asia Pacific (2009) (Thailand) (DVD)
- IPA Asia Pacific (2009) (Vietnam) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Finland (2009) (Finland) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures (2009) (Netherlands) (Blu-ray)
- Universal Pictures (2009) (Sweden) (DVD)
- Arthaus (2010) (Germany) (DVD)
- Direct Star (2011) (France) (tv)
- Leader Music (2011) (Argentina) (DVD) (as Leader Vision)
- Panorama Distributions (2011) (Hong Kong) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Arthaus (2013) (Germany) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Divisa Home Video (2017) (Spain) (DVD)
- The Criterion Channel (2019) (United States) (tv) (digital)
- Carlotta Films (2020) (France) (theatrical) (re-release) (restored version)
- StudioCanal UK (2020) (United Kingdom) (Ultra HD Blu-ray)
- Neo Films (2021) (Greece) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Avalon (2021) (Spain) (re-release) (4K restored version) (David Lynch Universe)
- Paramount Channel (2022) (France) (tv)
Special Effects
- Camera Effects
- Camera Effects (malcolm bubb)
- Effects Associates
Other Companies
- Berman's and Nathan's (costumes)
- Delta Sound Services (sound re-recording)
- Dolby Laboratories (sound post-production)
- Lee Lighting (grip and lighting equipment)
- National Philharmonic Orchestra (music played by)
- Panavision (camera equipment provided by)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
In Victorian London, Dr. Frederick Treves with the London Hospital comes across a circus sideshow attraction run by a man named Bytes called "The Elephant Man". In actuality, the creature on display is indeed a man, twenty-one-year-old Joseph "John" Merrick, who has several physical deformities, including an oversized and disfigured skull, and an oversized and disfigured right shoulder. Brutish Bytes, his "owner", only wants whatever he can get economically by presenting Merrick as a freak. Treves manages to bring Merrick under his care at the hospital, not without several of its own obstacles, including being questioned by those in authority since Merrick cannot be cured. Treves initially believes Bytes' assertion that mute Merrick is an imbecile, but ultimately learns that Merrick can speak and is a well-read and articulate man. As news of Merrick hits the London newspapers, he becomes a celebrated curiosity amongst London's upper class, including with Mrs. Kendal, a famed actress. Despite treated much more humanely, the question becomes whether Treves' actions are a further exploitation of Merrick. And as Merrick becomes more famous, others try to get their two-cents worth from who still remains a curiosity and a freak to most, including to Bytes, who has since lost his meal ticket. Written by Huggo |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | An incredible but true story... probably this year's best film. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Box Office
| Budget | $5,000,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | This movie was executive produced by Mel Brooks, who was responsible for hiring writer and director David Lynch, and obtaining permission to film in black-and-white. He deliberately left his name off of the credits, as he knew that people would get the wrong idea about the movie if they saw his name on the movie, given his fame as a satirist. See more » |
| Goofs | In the film, Joseph Merrick befriends Dr. Treves before he is kidnapped and taken to Belgium. In real life, Merrick never met Dr. Frederick Treves until he was rescued by police from a train station in London as was shown in the film. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Hopscotch/It's My Turn/Loving Couples/The Elephant Man/Motel Hell (1980). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Adagio for Strings, Op. 11 See more » |
| Crazy Credits | Closing disclaimer: This has been based upon the true life story of John Merrick, known as The Elephant Man, and not upon the Broadway play of the same title or any other fictional account. See more » |
| Quotes |
John Merrick:
I AM NOT AN ELEPHANT! I AM NOT AN ANIMAL! I AM... A HUMAN BEING! I... AM... A... MAN! See more » |