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The Elephant Man (1980)

124 min  -  Biography | Drama  -   10 October 1980 (USA)
8.3
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Ratings: 8.3/10 from 94,558 users  
Reviews: 306 user | 94 critic

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

Writers:

Christopher De Vore (screenplay), Eric Bergren (screenplay), and 3 more credits »
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Title: The Elephant Man (1980)

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Top 250 #115 | Nominated for 8 Oscars. Another 10 wins & 13 nominations See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anthony Hopkins Anthony Hopkins ...
John Hurt John Hurt ...
Anne Bancroft Anne Bancroft ...
John Gielgud John Gielgud ...
Wendy Hiller Wendy Hiller ...
Freddie Jones Freddie Jones ...
Michael Elphick Michael Elphick ...
Hannah Gordon Hannah Gordon ...
Mrs. Treves
Helen Ryan Helen Ryan ...
John Standing John Standing ...
Fox
Dexter Fletcher Dexter Fletcher ...
Bytes' Boy
Lesley Dunlop Lesley Dunlop ...
Nora
Phoebe Nicholls Phoebe Nicholls ...
Pat Gorman Pat Gorman ...
Fairground Bobby
Claire Davenport Claire Davenport ...
Fat Lady
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Storyline

John Merrick (whose real name was Joseph, as this is based on a true story) is an intelligent and friendly man, but he is hated by his Victorian-era English society because he is severely deformed. Once he is discovered by a doctor, however, he is saved from his life in a freak show and he is treated like the human being that he really is. Written by Sam Cibula  

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Freak | Hospital | Curiosity | Deformity | Actress  | See more »

Taglines:

I am not an animal! I am a human being! I...am...a man!

Genres:

Biography | Drama

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

El hombre elefante See more »

Filming Locations:

Broadgate, London, England, UK See more »

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$26,010,864 (USA) (1981)
See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Brooksfilms See more »
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Following the death of the real Joseph "John" Merrick, parts of his body were preserved for medical science to study. Some internal organs were kept in jars, and plaster casts were taken of his head, an arm, and a foot. Although the organs were destroyed by German air raids during the Second World War, the casts survived and are kept at the London Hospital. The makeup for John Hurt, who played Merrick in the film, was designed directly from those casts. See more »

Goofs

Continuity: When Fredrick Treves is bring up the oatmeal to John Merrick and Carr Gomm startles him he puts the oatmeal behind his back as to hide it from him. In the next shot he has the oatmeal in front of him and puts it behind his back again while he is walking towards Carr Gomm. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Skeleton Man: Get rid of them! I don't want to see them!
Fat Lady: Darling, don't be difficult! Let's take our sweet lovely children on an outing.
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 »


Soundtracks

"Adagio For Strings"
By Samuel Barber
Played by London Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by André Previn (as Andre Previn) See more »