THE ELEPHANT MAN features an Academy Award-nominated performance by John Hurt as John Merrick, the victim of a disease that has left him so grotesquely deformed, he's spent most of his life as a carnival-show freak. In time, Merrick comes under the care of Dr. Treves (brilliantly played by
Anthony Hopkins), who installs the "Elephant Man" in a hospital, where he studies him, helps him to overcome a seemingly insurmountable speech impediment, and--for a time--gives him back some human dignity. As word gets out about Merrick's existence and the press once again turns him into a freak,
the film raises the question of Treves's motivation: has he helped Merrick out of d...
Released:
1980
Rated:
PG
Length:
125 mins