In Victorian-era London, a surgeon discovers a drastically deformed man at a carnival sideshow, and their association becomes one of great interest medically as well as socially, resulting in the patient's transformation and occasional exploitation.
The Elephant Man is based on the real-life story of Joseph Merrick and his treatment by Dr. Frederick Treves, in a medical case that was still being investigated as recently as 2003. Writer-director Mel Brooks, known for his outrageous comedies (Blazing Saddles, The Producers, Young Frankenstein), had created a new production company with a desire to release more serious films, and a young David Lynch was chosen for this first endeavor after Brooks saw his debut film Eraserhead.
Film stars John Hurt in the title role, Anthony Hopkins, Anne Bancroft (married to Brooks), as well as British screen and theatre legends John Gielgud and Wendy Hiller. The black and white photography (by veteran Freddie Fields) was a choice by Lynch supported and fought for by Brooks, one which enhances the noticeable period authenticity. While the film is straightforward compared to Lynch's other films, it still bears the visual style of the director with its portrait of the grotesque and its dream imagery.
The extensive make-up created for John Hurt was modeled after actual casts made from Merrick's body which had been preserved, took seven hours to apply each shooting day, and rendered the actor completely unrecognizable. The lack of special recognition for this achievement led to a new Academy Award category for make-up being added the next year.
The Elephant Man was a huge critical success and did considerably well at the box office. It received eight Academy Award nominations, including ones for Best Picture, Hurt, Lynch's direction, and the screenplay.
Film runs approx. 2 hours.
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