Rating: 
Summary: They don't come any better...
Review: Despite the fact that "The Elephant Man" is about a grossly deformed man, it is truly one of the most beautiful movies ever made. Director David Lynch has peered into the souls of both the "outcasts" and those considered "normal" in our society. Lynch has never been better, and the same may also be said about actors John Hurt and Anthony Hopkins.Would-be circus man Bytes has put The Elephant Man/John Merrick (Hurt) on display in the freak show, attempting to profit from another man's misery. Dr. Frederick Treves (Hopkins) "saves" Merrick from the evil Bytes, but what does he do with Merrick? Puts him on display in another freak show of sorts for a panel of doctors. Treves has again stripped Merrick of his dignity and tried to to profit from his misery. So who is worse? Bytes or Treves? And this is only the first 15 minutes of the film... What eventually saves Treves is that he actually gets to know Merrick. Behind the deformity he discovers a human being. There are so many beautiful and touching moments in this movie: Merrick's awe at watching the play, Merrick removing the pillows from his bed so he can sleep like a normal person and, of course, Merrick trapped at the train station and shouting out "I am not an animal!" But my favorite moment comes when Merrick's fellow "freaks" in the circus help him escape. As they put him on a ship so he can hopefully find his way back home, the dwarf (Kenny Baker) says to him "Good luck, my friend. And who needs it more than us?" Filmed in gorgeous black and white. They don't come any better than this.
Rating:
Summary: Classic tale of human dignity
Review: The Elephant Man, released in 1980, is a remarkable film. It is the true story of Englishman John Merrick, who was born with a rare disease that has left him horribly disfigured. He is exploited by a sideshow circus owner until he is rescued by Treves, a physician from the London Hospital, who wishes to study his case. But as Treves gets to know Merrick, he realizes that underneath the hideous visage lies a gentle, loving soul. But just as Merrick finds contentment, he is kidnapped by the sideshow owner, who feels that he has been cheated by the doctor. John Merrick is played by an unrecognizable John Hurt, who gives an incredible performance underneath all that make up. Merrick's rescuer, Dr. Treves, is played to near perfection by Anthony Hopkins. Anne Bancroft, John Gielgud, and Wendy Hiller play minor roles. The Elephant Man was shot on high-quality black and white film, which adds to the Victorian Era atmosphere, and makes the deformed face of John Merrick much more interesting than color would have. This was David Lynch's second major directorial effort, and it remains one of his best films. And, quite shockingly, the film's executive producer was none other than Mel Brooks. But Brooks left his name off the credits so that filmgoers wouldn't misconstrue The Elephant Man as a comedy. The only mention of Brooks's name is found in the production company, Brooksfilms. The film received 8 Academy Award nominations, although it didn't win any Oscars. But the creation of the make-up for the John Merrick character did begin the process for the Academy adding a new award category for Best Make Up for future years. Although the film is ultimately a tragedy, The Elephant Man is a film about kindness, dignity, and love. One cannot help but be moved by this wonderful, powerful motion picture.
Rating: 
Summary: the oscar movie
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Has Much Unrealized Potential
Review: "The Elephant Man," director David Lynch's sophomore major film effort, seems to be groomed for greatness from the beginning. The story of John Merrick, a horribly deformed person who lived in London in the Victorian age and became somewhat of a celebrity among medical and social circles in that time, "The Elephant Man" is many things: a historical throwback to an earlier style of filmmaking, a story of human triumph, and a film designed to tug at the heartstrings and manipulate with them. Lynch isn't known for making "easy" films. Even his blue-collar masterpiece "The Straight Story," released more than 15 years after "The Elephant Man," has a depth and complexity not found in many novels. "Elephant" may stand as the one exception to this rule. In a dank, filthy, black-and-white London, Dr. Frederick Treves (played by a much younger Anthony Hopkins before he became typecast as another, more evil Doctor) visits a carnival sideshow. Therein, he discovers John Merrick, the Elephant Man, a person whose bone structure has been twisted so that it appears he has a tusk growing from his swollen, malformed face. Treves recognizes Merrick as a medical curiosity, and plucks him from being a carnival exhibit to being a teaching tool for his classes. In a fit of compassion, Treves wonders if Merrick might actually be able to understand what goes on around him, and discovers that he is correct: the Elephant Man, while deformed on the outside, has a perfectly working mind and is fully cognizant of others, language, and actions. The rest of the movie follows Merrick as he tries to be recognized for the simple fact that he's a human being. Because of this fairly straightforward treatment of a very serious subject - what does it mean to be human, and to have human rights and dignity - "Elephant" doesn't reach the same levels of depth as "Blue Velvet" or even "Straight Story." It's unfortunate, because Lynch is a very capable director, and it almost seems as if decisions were made not on the basis of what would make the best movie, but what would appeal to more people (and more award-shows). Don't misunderstand, "Elephant" manages its subject matter with far more finesse than most other films that attempt to breach the same territory, it's simply that it had the potential to be more than it was. The acting is wonderful, and John Hurt was literally robbed for his Oscar as Merrick - the emotional range he portrays with body language alone reflects a mastery of his craft. As with all Lynch films, the meticulous attention to detail and cinematographical excellence are welcome qualities in a time when most movies settle for computer-rendered effects and pointing the camera at some people. Rent "Elephant Man." As emotionally draining as this movie can be, you may want to watch it before you buy it, because it's not something you'll pop in the DVD player on a Friday night just to watch. Final Grade: A-
Rating:
Summary: A Masterwork
Review: The Elephant Man is a movie so emotionally draining you only watch it something like once in five years, if that. On top of brilliant filmmkaing, you know the story is also true. Anthony Hopkins is top billed as a doctor who discovers John Merrick, a man so horribly disfigured by disease he is nearly unrecognisable as a human, and called The Elephant Man. Hopkins delivers an excellent performance. John Hurt plays Mr. Merrick. He isn't recognisable, as he's under layers of makeup that make him The Elephant Man(ive seen a picture of Merrick, and the movie has Mr. Hurt looking just like him) but I don't know if anyone else could've played the role as well. Very moving. David Lynch(director) tacles his first full length picture with this amazing movie. His last short, Eraserhead, got him the job. There just arent enough stories like that of John Merrick, so I don't know that Lynch can get so close to his calling again, though he does a damn good job anyway(Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks, Wild At Heart, Strait Story, Lost Highway). Amazing job.
Rating:
Summary: The Elephant Man (Based on a true story)
Review: The Elephant Man was nominated for 8 Academy Awards in 1980. Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Original Score, Best Costume Design, Best Art Direction-Set Direction, Best Film Editing, and Best Screenplay. Unfortunately, it won none. Best Director was handed to Robert Redford for Ordinary People. I was bewildered why the Academy Awards gave it to him. Ordinary People also won Best Picture. The Elephant Man was also a better movie than Ordinary People. Ordinary People was a great movie, but The Elephant Man and Raging bull was excellent movies. Best Actor in a Leading Role was handed to the deserving Robert De Niro for Raging Bull. John Hurt gave a touching performance as the elephant man, but the audience and the critics could not see his face. That was probably why he only received an Academy Award nomination. However, Hurt won a British Academy Award for his performance.
The direction and the editing increased the movie artistic quality. The cinematography and strange music gained the haunting and dark atmosphere of the movie. Anthony Hopkins and John Hurt gave a great performance. Anthony Hopkins portrayed Dr. Frederick Treves. Treves was the kind surgeon who helped John Merrick. John Hurt portrayed John Merrick. John Merrick was a person suffering from proteus syndrome. The Elephant Man is a story about the triumph of man against society. This movie is recommended to people of all ages.
Rating:
Summary: But all the crying voices, they can turn it around
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: the elephant man
Review: "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.
Rating:
Summary: Heart-Rending and Timeless
Review: "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
Rating:
Summary: The Elephant Man
Review: 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.
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