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The Elephant Man
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Synopsis
John Hurt stars as John Merrick, the hideously deformed 19th century Londoner known as "The Elephant Man". Treated as a sideshow freak, Merrick is assumed to be retarded as well as misshapen because of his inability to speak coherently. In fact, he is highly intelligent and sensitive, a fact made public when one Dr. Frederick Treves (Anthony Hopkins) rescues Merrick from a carnival and brings him to a hospital for analysis. Alas, even after being recognized as a man of advanced intellect, Merrick is still treated like a freak; no matter his station in life, he will forever be a prisoner of his own malformed body. Unable to secure rights for the famous stage play The Elephant Man, producer Mel Brooks based his film on the memoirs of Frederick Treves and a much later account of Merrick's life by Ashley Montagu. The film is lensed in black and white by British master cinematographer Freddie Francis. Though nominated for eight Academy Awards, the film was ultimately shut out in every category. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast

Lesley Dunlop Nora
Michael Elphick Night Porter
Dexter Fletcher Bytes' Boy
John Gielgud Carr Gomm
Hannah Gordon Mrs. Treves
Wendy Hiller Mothershead
John Hurt John Merrick
Freddie Jones Bytes
Phoebe Nicholls Merrick's Mother
Helen Ryan Princess Alexandra
John Standing Fox
Anne Bancroft Mrs. Madge Kendal
Anthony Hopkins Dr. Frederick Treves

Production Crew

Robert Cartwright Art Director
Ashley Montagu Book Author
Frederick Treves Book Author
Maggie Cartier Casting
Freddie Francis Cinematographer
John Morris Composer (Music Score)
Samuel Barber Composer (Music Score)
Pat Norris Costume Designer
David Lynch Director
Anne V. Coates Editor
Mel Brooks Executive Producer
Stuart Cornfeld Executive Producer
Samuel Barber Featured Music
Anthony Waye First Assistant Director
Christopher Tucker Makeup
Wally Schneiderman Makeup
David Lynch Musical Direction/Supervision
Jonathan Sanger Producer
Stuart Cornfield Producer
Stuart Craig Production Designer
Christopher de Vore Screenwriter
David Lynch Screenwriter
Eric Bergren Screenwriter
Graham Ford Set Designer
Hugh Scaife Set Designer
Ashley Montagu Short Story Author
Ashley Montagu Short Story Author
Frederick Treves Short Story Author
Alan Splet Sound/Sound Designer
David Lynch Sound/Sound Designer
Robin Gregory Sound/Sound Designer
Graham Longhurst Special Effects
Year: 1980
Runtime: 125
Country: UK
MPAA Rating: PG
Category: Feature

Genre
Drama

Produced by
Brooks Films
Paramount

Awards
1980 - Best Film - British Academy Awards
1980 - Best Picture - Academy
1980 - Best Picture - National Board of Review
1980 - Best Picture - Drama - Golden Globe
1980 - Best Picture - Academy
1981 - Best Foreign Film - French Academy of Cinema