Based on a true story, the film examines the complex emotional experiences faced by John Merrick, "The Elephant Man" (John Hurt), when he is discovered by a dedicated surgeon (Anthony Hopkins).
Free | Hulu
Length: 02:03:27
Posted: 10/14/2009
The story begins with Dr Frederick Treves (Anthony Hopkins) discovering John Merrick (John Hurt) in a Victorian freak show where he is managed by the brutish Bytes (Freddie Jones). Merrick is so hideously deformed that he must wear a hood when in public. Also, Bytes claims his exhibit is an imbecile. Treves is moved by Merrick's condition and pays Bytes to bring him to his hospital so that he can inspect him and present a lecture on his peculiar physique, at which Treves coldly displays him as a mere curiosity. On Merrick's return, Bytes beats him so severely that Treves is called, who attempts to take him back to the hospital. Bytes confronts Treves and accuses him of also exploiting Merrick for his own ends, which leads the surgeon to resolve to do what he can to help the unfortunate man.
Free | Trailer Addict
Length: 02:41
Posted: 7/23/2009
The true story of John Merrick, a horribly deformed Victorian-era Englishman who was saved from a life of freak shows by a sympathetic doctor. Striking imagery and a powerful indictment of society!
Free | Video Detective
Length: 02:38
Posted: 3/17/2008
This is the rare story of John Merrick, the Elephant Man, enslaved by his body, set free by his dream. Trapped inside the twisted, lesion-ridden grip of a terminally disfiguring disease, Merrick triumphs over his terrible affliction. It is a story of life and the affirmation of life; timeless, tragic, uplifting and heroic. Philip Anglim's exquisite portrayal of John Merrick is all the more exceptional because he does it without elaborate make-up. As Dr. Frederick Treves (Kevin Conway) describes Merrick's deformities to a lecture hall full of medical observers, Anglim contorts his body to match Treves' narrative until, finally, he achieves Merrick's crippled U-shape.
Paid | iTunes
Length: 01:37:03
Posted: 3/15/2009
