IMDb > Elephant (2003)
Elephant
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Elephant (2003) -- Theatrical Preview
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Overview

User Rating:
7.3/10   32,257 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 3% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Gus Van Sant
Writer (WGA):
Gus Van Sant (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Elephant on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
3 October 2003 (Italy) more
Genre:
Crime | Drama more
Tagline:
An ordinary high school day. Except that it's not.
Plot:
Several ordinary high school students go through their daily routine as two others prepare for something more malevolent. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
5 wins & 6 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(37 articles)
Bret Easton Ellis and Gus Van Sant to Film The Golden Suicides
 (From Atomic Popcorn. 14 October 2009, 6:29 AM, PDT)

Gus Van Sant's Golden Suicides
 (From EmpireOnline. 13 October 2009, 11:46 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
Topical tribute that we should never forget. more (637 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Alex Frost ... Alex
Eric Deulen ... Eric

John Robinson ... John McFarland
Elias McConnell ... Elias
Jordan Taylor ... Jordan
Carrie Finklea ... Carrie
Nicole George ... Nicole
Brittany Mountain ... Brittany
Alicia Miles ... Acadia
Kristen Hicks ... Michelle
Bennie Dixon ... Benny

Nathan Tyson ... Nathan

Timothy Bottoms ... Mr. McFarland
Matt Malloy ... Mr. Luce

Ellis Williams ... GSA Teacher (as Ellis E. Williams)
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for disturbing violent content, language, brief sexuality and drug use - all involving teens.
Runtime:
81 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English | German
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital
Company:
HBO Films more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
This film is heavily influenced by the Alan Clarke TV drama from 1989 of the same name (_Elephant (1989)_). Both films chronicle senseless killings and contain many long an wandering takes of its main characters. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: When Eli is developing his roll of film, the width is too wide for 135 mm film; it looks more like 120/220 film. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Mr. McFarland: What? Hey! Where are you going? Come here.
John McFarland: Oh, my God, Dad.
Mr. McFarland: Get in the car. You're gonna be late for school. Come on.
John McFarland: Mom's gonna kill you.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "At the Movies: Summer Special 2008/09" (2008) more
Soundtrack:
Beneath the Forest Floor more

FAQ

Why did Alex and Eric kiss in the shower?
What happened at the end of the movie?
Who gets shot in the freezer at the end of the film?
more
60 out of 98 people found the following comment useful.
Topical tribute that we should never forget., 17 July 2004
7/10
Author: Mr Ben from Hampshire, England

I remember the fuss that surrounded this obscure movie upon release. How dare a film-maker, even one like Gus Van Sant, make a film based around the tragic shooting at Columbine? I suspect that most people's fears were based around what the film might be like. Would the murderers be defended? Would the violence be explicit or glorified? Perhaps they should have taken a moment to watch this film which treats its subject matter with the respect and gravitas it deserves.

The film introduces us to several high school kids and follows them around during a normal school day. Frequently, the film overlaps itself as each character interacts with others or visits the same location other characters are doing their bit in. Groups of girls gossip in the canteen, a wannabe photographer develops his prints, a shy girl helps out in the library after a physical education lesson. Only when the horrible truth of what is to come becomes clear does the film's terrifying core reveals itself.

There is no doubt that this is a powerful film, despite almost nothing happening until the final reel. All the actors are unknowns, the dialogue is largely improvised and the soundtrack is reduced to a simple piano tune played by one of the participants. But because you know what is to happen, you remain fixed on the characters milling around doing nothing - imagine "Big Brother" but with the added thrill of knowing that something sick and evil is coming. If anything, it becomes worse when the two gunmen begin to reveal themselves and their plan to the viewer. I found myself wishing I could step in the screen and stop them and it is a long time since any film made me care that much. It is quite strange how time seems to ebb by so slowly, especially as the tragedy unfolds.

The violence is never glorified or justified, merely portrayed as though it were actually happening before your eyes. It will almost certainly have greater resonance among American viewers as it displays the dark side of U.S. gun laws. How many more schools must suffer tragedies such as this before something is changed? It took Britain just one such incident before some of the most strict gun laws in the world were introduced. The film is almost pleading through the screen: would you still back our gun laws if this happened at your school or your child's school?

It has to be said that "Elephant" is a difficult film to watch, the sense of unease growing in the viewer as everyone in the film carries on as normal. I think that rather than exploit Columbine, Gus Van Sant has treated the memory of those who died with respect and honour. Admittedly, the film has it's faults. The ending felt rushed and confusing and the pace throughout is dreadfully slow, probably to allow the full extent of what's happening to sink in. There is no doubt that "Elephant" has more than a message at its heart - it is a powerful tribute to the pupils and teachers who died that day at Columbine High School. Never forget.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Elephant (2003)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
What's in a name? sebeljub
What did Alex whisper to himself? eekmonique
HEY DONT GO IN THERE.. LOL snuff04
The GAY Point of the Movie (Spoliers) - Comments Welcome calawoffice
This would have been better as a 15 minute video. nickelsun88
What happened to Alex? badmofo6662004
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