The Elephant Man
Drama
Paramount Pictures  (1980) 123 mins PG

8.4 (44,160 votes) Top 250: #82
Nominated For 8 Academy Awards®

In one of his most legendary films, director David Lynch chronicles the intense emotional journey of a complex, lonely man and the dedicated surgeon who changed his life. John Merrick (John Hurt) was born with a horribly disfiguring congenital disease, and suffered the humiliation of being a sideshow freak. Only when London doctor Frederick Treves (Anthony Hopkins, Silence of the Lambs, Red Dragon) rescues him does Merrick begin to regain the life of dignity and respect that everyone deserves.

Based on a true story, the critically acclaimed, Oscar®-nominated film has earned its place in cinematic history. Anne Bancroft, John Giegud and Wendy Hiller lend moving performances to an already powerful story. Visually fascinating and historically relevant, Lynch has created a haunting masterpiece of compassion, beauty and ultima...

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Cast and Crew
Anthony Hopkins  ......  Dr. Frederick Treves
John Hurt  ......  John Merrick
Freddie Jones  ......  Bytes
Anne Bancroft  ......  Mrs. Kendal
Wendy Hiller  ......  Mothershead
John Gielgud  ......  Carr Gomm
Director  .....  David Lynch
Producer  .....  Jonathan Sanger; Stuart Cornfeld
Writer  .....  David Lynch; Eric Bergren; Sir Frederick Treves; Ashley Montagu; Christopher De Vore
Notes
Goofs:
Continuity: When Carr Gomm first meets John, he walks close up to him. In the next shot he is way back from him, then close again. (more)

Trivia:
This film was executive produced by 'Mel Brooks (I)' , who was responsible for hiring director David Lynch and obtaining permission to film in black and white. He deliberately left his name off the credits, as he knew that people would get the wrong idea about the movie if they saw his name on the film, given his fame as a satirist. (more)

Filming Locations:
Broadgate, London, England, UK (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.
(more)

Awards:
Nominated for 8 Oscars. Another 8 wins & 13 nominations (more)