Review of The Elephant Man (1980) by Cathy Ann M — 03 Jul 2010

One of my favorite films of all-time. It's the true story of Joseph Carey Merrick.

(Hollywood added or I should fictionalized part of the film, like it always does.) Regardless of the minor changes the story of the tragic life of Mr. Merrick was Brought to life by Director David Lynch and a cast of England's finest actors including John Hurt, Anthony Hopkins & John Gielgud.

Merrick was a circus freak who was mentally and physically abused by his 'owner' He had a rare disease called Proteus syndrome which causes abnormal, unchecked growth of bones, skin, and other systems. Without giving away the plot things change in a dramatic way both good and bad for Merrick. Along his journey the viewer can't help feel for him. I saw this when I was a kid on TV in the late 80's. At 1st he freaked me out. But by the end of the movie you can't help but love him. I learned something that day about people. It doesn't matter how someone looks on the outside it's who they are on the inside that matters.

Filming in black & white I think made the film even more special. Color would have been a big mistake because the B&W adds to the somber tone of the film. If it was in color Merrick wouldn't 'look' the same. The flesh colored skin along with the red lesions on his skin would be a distraction. People would be really 'grossed out' plus you lose the gritty, filthy feel you get from the B&W film. Since the film is about a time where there was a lot of poverty and filth in London it's important to get the feel for it and the cinematographer did a great job! I also like.

Also Mel Brooks who is known mostly as a comic actor/director produced this film but didn't want people to think this was a comedy so it's didn't say anything just added 'Brooksfilms' to the credits. His wife Anne Bancroft is the film also.