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