The Elephant Man

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The Elephant Man

PG

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2h 5m

Biography

Drama

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Popcornmeter

91%

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64 Reviews

93%

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50,000+ Ratings

Dr. Frederic Treves (Anthony Hopkins) discovers Joseph (John) Merrick (John Hurt) in a sideshow. Born with a congenital disorder, Merrick uses his disfigurement to earn a living as the "Elephant Man." Treves brings Merrick into his home, discovering that his rough exterior hides a refined soul, and that Merrick can teach the stodgy British upper class of the time a lesson about dignity. Merrick becomes the toast of London and charms a caring actress (Anne Bancroft) before his death at 27.

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Critics Consensus

David Lynch's relatively straight second feature finds an admirable synthesis of compassion and restraint in treating its subject, and features outstanding performances by John Hurt and Anthony Hopkins.

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

The Elephant Man is a very pleasurable surprise. Though I had seen Eraserhead, which is the only other feature directed by David Lynch, and had thought him a true original, I wasn’t prepared for the strength he would bring out of understatement.

Sep 18, 2023

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Wendy Ide

Times (UK)

This brooding take on a real-life tale is a work of potency...

Sep 15, 2022

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Jay Scott

Globe and Mail

There is a great deal wrong with a movie that adds insult to injury by unconsciously holding back the revelation of make-up.

Aug 16, 2022

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Noah Berlatsky

Everything is Horrible (Substack)

The lethargic plot wanders between voyeuristic disgust and smug satisfaction at the film’s broad-mindedness. Lynch never made another film as tedious and tone-deaf.

Jan 23, 2025

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Harry Solomons

Loud and Clear Reviews

Tender, wonderfully acted, and profoundly moving, The Elephant Man is a unique ray of sentimentality in David Lynch’s oeuvre.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 8, 2025

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Michael Ventura

L.A. Weekly

It is a great film, if great means that, seeing it once, you see it forever. Great in the manner of Chaplin's City Lights, of Griffith's Way Down East, or Cukor's David Copperfield... like them, its beauties rise out darkness, struggle and shine.

Oct 7, 2023

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thiago s

Filme bacana, o roteiro é bacaninha, as cenas bacanas do o homem elefante, o elenco é bacaninha, mas só o o homem elefante que ajuda a melhorar o filme, e a história é mais ou menos, e o filme coloca um drama em cima do o homem elefante que é bom e melhora o filme.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/24/25

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Audience Member

Simplesmente ”ABSOLUTE CINEMA"

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/23/25

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21 - Priyan B

Decent first half, excellent second half. Rating: 7/10

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/02/25

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Isa B

This is a very well made motion picture by the great David Lynch. Ultimately, the job of a filmmaker is to create a piece of art that makes the audience feel something. The Elephant Man does that very thing. I highly recommend this film. 95/100

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/06/25

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Teddy B

A strange but wonderful feat for Lynch, a film with pathos. His surreal touch is still thankfully present, though; stopping this film from becoming dull.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/02/25

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Jelisije J

An excellent biopic of a man born with horrible disfigurements that the world will never forget.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/10/24

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David Lynch

Director

John Hurt

John Merrick, 'The Elephant Man'

Anthony Hopkins

Dr. Frederick 'Freddie' Treves

Anne Bancroft

Mrs. Kendal

John Gielgud

Carr Gomm

Wendy Hiller

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Synopsis

Dr. Frederic Treves (Anthony Hopkins) discovers Joseph (John) Merrick (John Hurt) in a sideshow. Born with a congenital disorder, Merrick uses his disfigurement to earn a living as the "Elephant Man." Treves brings Merrick into his home, discovering that his rough exterior hides a refined soul, and that Merrick can teach the stodgy British upper class of the time a lesson about dignity. Merrick becomes the toast of London and charms a caring actress (Anne Bancroft) before his death at 27.

Director: David Lynch
Producer: Jonathan Sanger
Screenwriter: Sir Frederick Treves, Ashley Montagu, Christopher De Vore, Eric Bergren, David Lynch
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount
Rating: PG
Genre: Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 3, 1980, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2011
Runtime: 2h 5m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)