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The Elephant Man (1980)

PG 124 min  -  Biography | Drama | History  -   10 October 1980 (USA)
8.3
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Ratings: 8.3/10 from 84,341 users  
Reviews: 295 user | 89 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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Top 250 #111 | Nominated for 8 Oscars. Another 10 wins & 13 nominations See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anthony Hopkins ...
John Hurt ...
Anne Bancroft ...
John Gielgud ...
Wendy Hiller ...
Freddie Jones ...
Michael Elphick Michael Elphick ...
Hannah Gordon Hannah Gordon ...
Mrs. Treves
Helen Ryan Helen Ryan ...
John Standing John Standing ...
Fox
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

Based on the true story of Joseph Merrick, a 19th-century Englishman afflicted with a disfiguring congenital disease. With the help of kindly Dr. Frederick Treves, Merrick attempts to regain the dignity he lost after years spent as a side-show freak. Written by Scott Renshaw <as.idc@forsythe.stanford.edu>  

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Freak | Dignity | 19th Century | Animal In Title | Surgery  | See more »

Taglines:

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

Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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

This film was executive produced by Mel Brooks, 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. See more »

Goofs

Continuity: In nearly every scene, John Hurt's make-up changes in some way. 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 »

Connections

Referenced in Psycho Sleepover (2008) See more »

Soundtracks

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