The Elephant Man

Rating:
Summary: Sad, Beautiful, and Inspiring
Review: The story of Joseph Merrick was not exactly like David Lynch portrayed it in his masterpiece. Nevertheless, a movie for the ages- an absolute tear-jerker with that familiar Lynch spooky twist. I speak solely on the movie itself (not the DVD). The DVD has no chapters, which is a joke! A contemporary classic such as the Elephant Man deserves better! For anyone who is only familiar with the famous movie quote "I am not an animal....", I advise to read/study up on the Joseph Merrick the man and watch this wonderful movie.

Rating:
Summary: One of Lynch's four great works...
Review: I retain a great fondness for four Lynch works, The Elephant Man, The Straight Story, The Grandmother (an experimental short film he made before Eraserhead and Twin Peaks (the TV show). The remainder of Lynch's output including Blue Velvet, Eraserhead, Wild at Heart and Twin Peaks Fire Walk With Me I have to admit strikes me as tedious exercises in obscure surrealism with a lack of both humanity and narrative cohesiveness. As for The Elephant Man, Anthony Hopkins and John Hurt give flawless performances and while it is true that the screenplay strays from the facts of John Merrick's life in a number of ways, it is true to the essence of his story. For this viewer it's a finer film than that certain film starring Ben Kingsley which beat it out for Best Picture in 1982.

Rating:
Summary: A study in true beauty.
Review: This is the most moving film I've ever seen. I am humbled by the greatness and the beauty this film posseses. It tells an amazing story about truly fascinating people. This film reveals what beauty really is and how ugly, vain and shallow common humanity is. This film is for a deep soul who is not afraid of their own emotions. I highly recommend this film to anyone. It can change the way you see things.

Rating:
Summary: Most soul-touching movie ever made
Review: I first saw this movie because I have above-ametuer knowledge of Proteus Syndrome, which is what Mr. Merrick most likely suffered from. I saw the movie for the first time recently, and I expected to see just an ordinary movie. What I did see was by far, the most soul-touching movie I had ever seen. The plot of the story is that Dr. Frederick Treves views a man beyond deformity, and takes him into his hospital to further inquire about his case. As the story progresses, people begin to see that Mr. John Merrick is truly an intelligent and humble man. He does run into some bad times, but you'll have to see that for yourself. At the end of the movie, (not telling you what happens) I just cried. I must not have cried that much since I was a child. It was pure emotion coming from my most inner soul. When a movie is powerful enough to make you feel some pure emotion at the end that you have never felt before in your life, it isn't a movie, it's a masterpiece. So please, even if this type of movie doesn't appeal to you, see it. This is a masterpiece for all people to see and accept the message that we need to treat everyone equally and be grateful for who we are in soul, not in body.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing and Moving
Review: This is one of the most amazing movies I have ever seen. Incredibly moving with an outstanding performance by Anthony Hopkins. In a completely reverse role from Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs, his role as the doctor is so convincing, you don't for one moment question its authenticity. His role along with that of the Elephant Man is sure to make you cry. You feel so much emotion throughout the movie, that at some points your physical reactions are very intense. This is a must see for movie lovers.

Rating:
Summary: Human dignity.....truly....deeply.....
Review: This film which is one of my favorite director, David Lynch¡¯s, is made of monochrome film and talks about real story, John Merrick who was suffering from rare and incurable disease. First of all, the point is that this film is a black-and-white picture, which is extraordinary. It is probably, because the appearance of John is quite shocking and dreadful. So he is called ¡°The Elephant Man¡±. When he has treated cruelly at the circus as he was seeing his body to the audience, he met Dr. Frederick who helped him to escape from his life like a hell. At this point, it is disprovable why Dr. Frederick helped him. He would be able to think John for an experiment. However, he is relieved of curiosity at his first sight and he becomes to be attracted by his humanity. At last, he thinks deeply and truly about the human dignity. In conclusion, this film talks about the human dignity. Although John was physically disabled person who has a gruesome figure, he was warm-hearted and pure man who really loves a literature. However, people are just surprised at his appearance, they would not have a conversation with him. This film is dealing with a pure heart man who has lived his whole life with people¡¯s prejudice. Compared with other David Lynch¡¯s films, it emphasizes dramatic construction, because it is probably like a biography of John Merrick. In this point, it is a unique film as David Lynch who usually has made a film with a peculiar style and atmosphere such as ¡°Eraserhead¡± which is similar to this film in a monochrome film and weird scenes. this is the most gentle film for David Lynch who always has a specific style which makes audience to understand a film very delicately, so it is easy to understand. It is because story takes the central place in this film that it is not so difficult to understand. Excellent directing, and what is more, performance of John Hurt who played in role ¡°John Merrick¡±, and Anthony Hopkins who played in role ¡°Dr. Frederick¡±, both of them are outstanding. It is a film worth watching.

Rating:
Summary: WoW.
Review: This film was beautiful - the crisp B&W, gentle acting, and beautiful costumes.

This movie is about a deformed man, rescued from a circus freak show by a doctor who tries to show him an ordinary life. The story is sad and touching (but does move slowly at times).

The DVD offers special features - interviews with the producers about how the film came to be, a workshop by the make-up creator, and a photo gallery which includes photos of the REAL skull of J. Merrick, the "Elephant Man".

Rating:
Summary: An emotionally gripping true story...
Review: The first time I saw this movie was an accident, really. I was only flipping channels and I happened to see Anthony Hopkins in a black and white movie, so I stopped flipping. It was the beginning of the movie, I had not missed much. All I can say is... Wow! I purchased it immediately after I saw it.

I liked the fact that the movie, though filmed in 1982, was done in black and white for a little more authenticity. All of the actors and actresses played their parts wonderfully. John Hurt does a great job portraying John Merrick as he easily works his way into your heart. Anthony Hopkins does a nice job playing the doctor whose only interest in Merrick is to advance his own medical career. Soon, though, Hopkins character is soon emotionally attached to Merrick.

I would recommend this movie to anyone who appreciates true stories about the triumph of the human spirit through the most difficult of circumstances.

Rating:
Summary: Cripplingly Beautiful
Review: There is so much that can be said about this film for a number of reasons. Much of it would spoil the film for those who have yet to view it. Let's begin with the basics:
This film covers the time in John Merick's (the Elephant Man)life where he is rescued from a life of freakshow gawk and abusive captivity and follows him to his death. I don't know whether or not to recommend studying the history of this man before viewing the film or not. Be assured, however, that this film will leave an indellible and Deep mark in your soul regardless of how much (or little) you know historically.
John Merick was born with a disease (if it can be called such) that left him almost inhumanly disfigured and with skin that hung coarse, tumor filled, and loose {hence the name 'Elephant Man'}. He was hurried into a horrific existence of tormenting sneers and gasps from "audience" members at the freakshow he was the main attraction of. Early in the film a doctor (played spectacularly by Anthony Hopkins)'rescues' him and takes him into the eventual permanent care of the London Hospital. Slowly, Merick captivates and enlightens his caregivers to the (nothing short of) brilliant soul inhabiting his mangled shell.
What follows is easily considered on of THE BEST FILM PERFORMANCES in existence - namely by John Hurt as John Merick. Though all that is visible behind a stunning feat of prosthesis-makeup are Hurt's eyes and voice, he carries the essence of such a trampled being to levels rarely acheivable by mankind. The fact that he did not receive an Academy Award is beyond Blasphemy! Between the director's(David Lynch!) innovative and artistic beauty, and Hurt's soul wrenching performance, the film can almost be unbearable to watch at times. Anyone who has ever tasted the slightest cruelty of another's taunting will surely buckle under the weight of this film. The importance of this film is inexpressable. Historically, and socially, it shoves to the forefront all of our damnable crimes against eachother through our own sense of vanity and conformity.
This film ought to be required for all highschool and college students - if but for their own sake. It truly captures the wickedness we are all capable of and also (even moreso) the beauty we all hold within - even in the face of total obstacle.
Simply a MUST SEE for EVERYONE!

Rating:
Summary: A great film!
Review: i highly recommend this film. I found it very moving. It is baded on the novel by Christine Sparks. The Elephant Man, was
done so well. I'd give it ten stars if I could.