The Elephant Man [M]

A well-meaning and good-intentioned surgeon rescues a man named John Merrick from a brutal and rough life in a tasteless sideshow. Deformed from birth and cruelly nicknamed “The Elephant Man”, John tries fitting into a world where society’s first reaction upon seeing his visage is shock and repulsion. But, through Treves’, the surgeon’s, care and companionship, John begins to develop a strong sense of dignity and courage that helps him overcome the prejudices of society, stand up for his human rights, and gain friendship and happiness. 

Inspired by a true story and brought beautifully to the screen by David Lynch, The Elephant Man is one of the most beautifully tragic and heartbreaking films that I have ever seen. Here I am, tears still streaming down my face, marvelling at the melancholy soundtrack by John Morris, the breathtaking performances from Anthony Hopkins and, of course, John Hurt, and the enchanting, fractured, black and white portrayal of Victorian London; a place both dapper and elegant and gritty and heartless. What an achievement! I was so deeply moved by everything in this film: its beauty, its tragedy, its hope, and its power. IT’S A BREATHTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL FILM! 

A well-meaning and good-intentioned surgeon rescues a man named John Merrick from a brutal and rough life in a tasteless sideshow. Deformed from birth and cruelly nicknamed “The Elephant Man”, John tries fitting into a world where society’s first reaction upon seeing his visage is shock and repulsion. But, through Treves’, the surgeon’s, care and companionship, John begins to develop a strong sense of dignity and courage that helps him overcome the prejudices of society, stand up for his human rights, and gain friendship and happiness. 

The cinematography is absolutely superb! Filmed in black and white, representing the dignity and darkness of the day, The Elephant Man harbours mesmerising scene changes, done through tasteful and simple fades to black, and most enchanting methods of telling the hero’s back story: fractured and jarred, sometimes horrific, scenes of screams, elephants, and memorial flashbacks. It’s all done very simply and tastefully and provides the film with its mesmerising attraction and emphatic pull towards the hero. It’s just stunning! 

John Hurt is the jewel in the crown, starring as John Merrick. Although he wears tons of makeup, artfully created by Christopher Tucker and applied by Wally Schneiderman, he forcibly acts beyond that and a strong and heartbreaking love and pity is felt towards him by the audience because his performance is that beautiful! When you watch him, it really is like that scene at the beginning where Treves sees him for the first time and weeps. John’s performance was dignified, introverted, charming, and just heartbreakingly mesmerising. I’m tearing up just writing about it. HE WAS BEAUTIFUL! 

Starring Anthony Hopkins, Anne Bancroft, John Gielgud, Wendy Hiller, and Freddie Jones, The Elephant Man is a stunning portrayal of human courage and dignity that still manages to thrive when the hero has been beaten down to his utmost lowest. Filled with drama, friendship, prejudice, bravery, and fierce companionship, it’s just a fierce and deeply moving drama that I found incomprehensibly breathtaking. IT’S ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!