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The Elephant Man (Widescreen)

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David Lynch was, for the most part, an unknown when Hollywood, specifically Mel Brooks ( of all people !!! ), took him on to direct "The Elephant Man". He had only one feature film under his belt at the time, the incredibly dark, disturbing and hypnotically dreamlike "Eraserhead". Not exactly a precedent for taking on a film of such deeply moving and upsetting emotional tenor, but Brooks had complete faith in him. That faith was paid off in spades.

"The Elephant Man", since deleted by Paramount ( !!! ), is, in my opinion one of the best films of all time. The cast is incredible. John Hurt gives his greatest performance to date and he is completely unrecognizable as John ( Joseph ) Merrick. Anthony Hopkins' Frederic Treves is a study in reserve and restraint with tumultuous emotions and conflicts boiling under the surface. Freddie Jones as the slimy, despicable Mr. Bytes conjurs up both a hatred of his callous, opportunistic exploitation of another man's suffering and something akin to pity for the "losing his grip" desparation he portrays. Sir John Gielgud is Sir John Gielgud, all class, refinement and authority. And Dame Wendy Hiller transforms from a seemingly heartless, officious dragon lady into a woman of true compassion and strength. Finally a special mention of Anne Bancroft's turn as Dame Madge Kendall is absolutely necessary. For it's in the scene where she brings John Merrick the collected works of William Shakespeare and they randomly pick a scene from "Romeo and Juliet" to read from where we have the most heart-rending emotional moment in the entire film. I defy anyone not to be VERY deeply moved, even to tears, when she tells Mr. Merrick " ... you're Romeo".

The film is shot in black and white which is a stroke of genius. All that black, white and gray summons up the grit and inhuman texture of the early industrial revolution in dirty old London. It also functions as a metaphor for the gray areas of moral ambiguity that challenge both the characters in the film and the Victorian mores that alternately reach out to "do the Christian thing" and that see John Merrick merely as a "circus animal".

As "Hollywood" as the film was ( a big budget Paramount picture ) Lynch gets to fly here and the film is absolutely full to the brim with his stylistic signatures. The dream sequences hearken back to "Eraserhead", also in black and white. There are those industrial sounds too, so marvellously recorded and altered by Alan Splet, another "Eraserhead" alumnus. Also a strong visual signifier from the "Eraserhead" palette are the infamous "holes" or openings that, in the Lynch visual lexicon, connote portals of transition to another level of consciousness. What strikes me most here is how EACH AND EVERY shot is a shining example of brilliant composition. Each one is framable and warrants hours of attention. Lynch's vision is almost "Rembrandtian", playing beautifully with stunning contrasts of lights and darks, with chiaroscuro as it were.

"The Elephant Man" is an entirely satisfying, artistically outstanding, and emotionally cathartic experience that stands the test of time with great strength and style. David Lynch's finest work.

This is by far in of the greatest movies ever, and this bluray is amazing. comes in a book style case. The qualty of the video is improved over the dvd, and the audio is great its dts hd. theres also new special features. Order this must have title today.

I first saw this film back in 1981 at the theater when I was 12. It frightened and saddened me though I cannot say I was really traumatized by it. However, it must have made some sort of emotional impact before I have always been terrified of viewing this film in the 20-plus years that have past since then. The most disturbing aspect to me was the inhumane treatment John Merrick received. Just today I got up my courage and bought the DVD at the music store. I sat, white knuckles and all-expecting the worst. Well, I got through it. For one thing, it didn't seem as ominous this go-round. (Funny how your perceptions change as an adult). The fact that this was a period piece works to the film's benefit in that it hasn't dated at all. I am glad the producers and director agreed to use black-and-white film because it adds to the authenticity. What surprised me most was how much I had actually forgotten: the scene in the monkey cage, the fact that Anne Bancroft appeared, and more. What did always stick in my memory was what I refer to as the "raid" scene. (When the sleazy Night Porter brings his "customers" from the pub to Merrick's room, carrying John around, forcing the cheap tarts to kiss him, and then holding a mirror up to his face to purposely shock him.) Upon viewing The Elephant Man as an adult, my favorite scenes are now the most beautiful yet the saddest ones: when John meets Treeves' wife and says he never meant to be a disappointment to his mother, and the final scene as Merrick carefully takes the pillows off the bed and places them on the table. This film should be mandatory study for all North American high school students. Though even then, I am sure there would be more than a few jaded teens who would find some sort of comedy in it. Those kind are the real freaks.

I saw the original in 1980, and the DVD in 2004. The DVD really is a nice package. Not only do you have this great film in crystal clear quality, but the interview package at the end is really informative, especially regarding the makeup and how the screenplay was discovered -- the producer's babysitter handed him her boyfriend's script! John Hurt's insights were particularly interesting; there are so many things that could have torpedoed the project but thankfully didn't.

I only wish David Lynch could have been interviewed, as this was his first major project after Eraserhead and he really matured in terms of being able to work in a major production with so many shining talents.

The Elephant Man is a film of incredible passion and power. For those who think "power" in the movies involves supernatural abilities or mastery of martial arts or destructive weapons - The Elephant Man is perhaps not for you.

David Lynch's film is shot in black and white which gives a Victorian feel to the era depicted, but also gives a startling chiarascuro visual to many scenes.

Much of the information about the life of Mr. Merrick was obtained from accounts written by Dr. Treves, who became so celebrated that he was chosen to be Royal Physician, so it is perhaps not surprising that Treves comes off well in this film. The central performances are by John Hurt as Merrick and Anthony Hopkins as Treves, and they are both absolutely stunning. I have viewed the film a half-dozen times, and there are moments that I am moved every single time.

The Elephant Man suffers from terrible physical deformities that are only gradually shown to the audience. But we discover that his mental faculties are not hindered at all, and the scene in which this discovery is made is absolutely astonishing.

The late John Gielgud does excellent work as the hospital administrator, Mr. Carr Gomm. In the scene after it is revealed that the Elephant Man has normal intelligence Carr Gomm takes Treves aside.

"Can you IMAGINE what sort of life he has had?" (Merrick has spent his life up to that point as a side-show freak, beaten and jeered at.)
Treves looks absent-mindedly out the window before starting to reply "Yes, I think I ...."
Carr Gomm rebukes him sharply. "No you can't!" He softens his voice. "No one can."

And watching that scene we TRY to imagine the myriad of humiliations and sufferings that the poor man has endured simply for his unfortunate appearance. But we realize that we cannot "walk a mile in his shoes" and we recognize that we truthfully can't imagine what he has been through.

Nonetheless we find John Merrick witty and engaging and pleasant. Later on Merrick has become the Belle of the Ward and there is a steady stream of dignitaries who come by to visit. One of the wise old nurses, played by the wonderful Wendy Hillar, gives Treves a piece of her mind and suggests that Merrick has simply become a sideshow again and is being stared at all over again. This leads to a wonderful scene at home between Treves and his wife, played by Hannah Gordon, in which Treves does some honest soul-searching. Another scene where Treves has invited Merrick to his own home is remarkable for it's emotional amplitude. Treves has become very used to being around The Elephant Man, but Mrs. Treves is not, and despite being "prepared" for his sight, there are multiple instances when she is clearly struggling to "seem normal".

There are several other touching scenes, such as when Anne Bancroft,playing a famous London Actress, visits and her acting ability enables her to overlook his deformities more easily than Mrs. Treves, or when Princess Alex arrives at a key hospital board meeting to personally deliver a plea from Queen Victoria for a permanent place for "one of England's least fortunate sons". It would have been easy to turn overly sentimental or to pander, but Lynch knows when to reign things in perfectly.

This work has much to say about the dignity of man, and I recommend it highly.

Let me start off by saying, umm... meh. I thought I had something, but I don't. I went into viewing this film with semi-high expectations. Keep in mind that one of my favorite movies ever is Blue Velvet, I absolutely love Eraserhead, and Mulholland Drive intrigued me to no end. However, I didn't expect what I got. I got something much more than just another "strange" Lynch movie. I got a movie with emotion, sadness, and feelings. Blue Velvet had feelings, Eraserhead had sadness (very little, mind you, but still, but neither to the magnitude of The Elephant Man. I even enjoyed Anthony Hopkins in this film, and I normally can't stand the man. However, I was very disappointed in something that I found out in the 30-minute The Elephant Man: Revealed (i think that's what it was called) featurette on the disc. Mel Brooks was the executive producer! I hate Mel Brooks with a passion, and that brought me down, but the movie is still amazing.

There is a reason that this movie recieved so many Oscar nominations; it's a movie meant for the occasion. The Elephant Man is better shot, better acted and all round better made then the majority of Oscar nominated movies but ultimately it's sentimental and doesn't meet out its own potential. I was very excited to rent this movie because the more and more I see by David Lynch the more impressed I am. Both Blue Velvet and the Straight Story (just to name two) absolutely wowed me with their vision and totally original feel. I'm convinced that Lynch is one of the most notable and important living American directors. The Elephant Man looks and sounds great, but the handling of the material is just average. In a lesser movie, this wouldn't be as infuriating but in a movie with such amazing visual atmosphere you kind of expect a depth of emotion. I thought that this movie wore its morals as a cub scout badge. There was so much more potential in the material. I wanted murkiness and ambivalence. Why do we react so violently and hatefully to ugliness? Did the doctor really care about his patient or was he just another ringmaster? And most importantly, what of class? The Elephant Man's happiness seems to be entirely dependent on his acceptance into high society. The people shown reacting ignorantly to the Elephant Man are all poor and dirty. Quite a simplistic attitude if you ask me. If you are looking for a tear jerker, rent this movie, you could do worse. If you are looking for Lynch with balls, Blue Velvet is your best decision.

"the elephant man" is one of the most moving, sad, & best films i have ever seen. it tells the story of john merrick.(john hurt)
a severly deformed man who is treated with respect for the first time in his life by a kind doctor (anthony hopkins). hurt's performance should have won an oscar instead of being just nominated.i also think it should have won over "ordinary people" for best picture. it is really a very sad film & if you don't find yourself crying, well, more power to you. so i suggest that it be the next film you rent.

"Time hath not altered" the emotional impact this movie has on me when I watch it. The word "poignant" has grown hackneyed from overuse, but it certainly applies to this great film. Few films can equal it in terms of dramatic artistry and pitch perfect performances. There's not one maudlin note in a film that could easily have descended into bathetic melodrama in lesser hands.

Lynch was practically a neophyte at the time he directed this movie, yet to many (and to most, for that matter, save the true believers) THE ELEPHANT MAN is his magnum opus. I believe this is because of the mostly Britsh, classically trained actors that made up the cast. Hopkins and Hurt excell. Anne Bancroft (who I believe is the only American in the cast) delivers a flawless performance. Freddy Jones, as Bytes (this was before the internet, remember) is simply uncanny in his tour-de-force portrayal of arguably the vilest villain in cinema history. Who cares that the character was totally innacurate, historically? He chews up the scenery in true Grand Guignol fashion. Gielgud and Wendy Hiller are also on hand to provide levitas. One can't find a better ensemble. It's criminal that at least one of them weren't awarded an Oscar, but that's just another example of how meaningless those little gold statuettes are, more often than not.

Though this is a lot more linear than most of Lynch's movies, there is enough of the surreal on hand to keep the die hards happy. But the surrealism doesn't get in the way of the plot. Christopher de Vore and Eric Bergren, who collaborated with Lynch on the screenplay, can take some credit for that. Veteran cinematographer, Freddie Francis did perhaps the best work of his career here. The black and white images are as good as it gets. The sets are unforgettable. Victorian London has never looked so convincing on screen, yet with that nightmarish quality that defines most of the movie.

If you've never seen this movie, get your hands on a copy, soon. It couldn't be described as "weepy," by any means. But if you're not reaching for the kleenex at some stage in this marvellous film, I'd ask the Wizard for a heart, if I were you. For those of you who haven't seen it in a while, give it a re-viewing. It absolutely holds up, particularly in comparison to 1980 Best Picture, ORDINARY PEOPLE...and Best Director, Robert Redford? Hopkins didn't get nominated, but Jack Lemmon did for TRIBUTE? Anyone remember that one? Gotta go find some Maalox.

BEK

This movie was just plain great. I really in joyed this. This movie really had no flaws. Great movie and you feel real bad for the charictars. The Elephant Man(Anthony Hopkins)looks great in the movie. You should buy this, and you will be happy you did.