David Lynch didn't fuck with my mind this time...he fucked with my heart 💔
Cinemas
EN
A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man being mistreated by his "owner" as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous façade, there is revealed a person of great intelligence and sensitivity. Based on the true story of Joseph Merrick (called John Merrick in the film), a severely deformed man in 19th century London.
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Cast & crew
6What people say
There's a stretch of a few minutes near the end of this where "my friend" is uttered by four different people with four very different contexts and meanings and I was very moved by it. Simplicity I guess is what you would call this but I think the way Lynch opts for grace and patience is not as easy as it looks, there's real meditative poetry in these images and performances that I think others would've missed even if given the same material.
"My life is full, because I know that I am loved"What a powerful quote from an extra powerful piece of film making. I'm blown away by this. The feelings it envoked within me alone deserve 5 stars, respectively.Hopkins was absolutely impeccable. His eyes ...... oh my HIS EYES, his eyes on their own just portrayed such intensity & emotion. I felt glued to them & couldn't look away. I wanted to wrap my arms around him & hug him tight. John Merrick was one of the most beautiful people, the way he spoke, his nature. So much genuine love for everything. He made my heart so so happy. Even more so knowing it's a true story. After so much hate from human beings... So heart felt & true to life. Real emotion. Awwww.... I love this so so much I could cry... cry more. I'm impressed & so glad I watched this. Thank you Letterboxd. You're a true true friend xox
Common questions
What is The Elephant Man about?+
The film depicts the life of Joseph Merrick, a severely deformed man in Victorian London who is rescued from a cruel circus side-show by a compassionate surgeon.
Who directed The Elephant Man?+
David Lynch directed the film in 1980, marking his second feature after his surrealist debut, Eraserhead.
Is The Elephant Man based on a true story?+
Yes, it is based on the life of Joseph Merrick, though the film takes creative liberties with the biographical details.
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