Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

The Elephant Man

Play trailer Poster for The Elephant Man PG Released Oct 3, 1980 2h 5m Biography Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
92% Tomatometer 62 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Dr. Frederic Treves (Anthony Hopkins) discovers Joseph (John) Merrick (John Hurt) in a sideshow. Born with a congenital disorder, Merrick uses his disfigurement to earn a living as the "Elephant Man." Treves brings Merrick into his home, discovering that his rough exterior hides a refined soul, and that Merrick can teach the stodgy British upper class of the time a lesson about dignity. Merrick becomes the toast of London and charms a caring actress (Anne Bancroft) before his death at 27.
Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

The Elephant Man

The Elephant Man

What to Know

Critics Consensus

David Lynch's relatively straight second feature finds an admirable synthesis of compassion and restraint in treating its subject, and features outstanding performances by John Hurt and Anthony Hopkins.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (62) Critics Reviews
Pauline Kael The New Yorker The Elephant Man is a very pleasurable surprise. Though I had seen Eraserhead, which is the only other feature directed by David Lynch, and had thought him a true original, I wasn’t prepared for the strength he would bring out of understatement. Sep 18, 2023 Full Review Wendy Ide Times (UK) This brooding take on a real-life tale is a work of potency... Sep 15, 2022 Full Review Jay Scott Globe and Mail There is a great deal wrong with a movie that adds insult to injury by unconsciously holding back the revelation of make-up. Aug 16, 2022 Full Review Michael Ventura L.A. Weekly It is a great film, if great means that, seeing it once, you see it forever. Great in the manner of Chaplin's City Lights, of Griffith's Way Down East, or Cukor's David Copperfield... like them, its beauties rise out darkness, struggle and shine. Oct 7, 2023 Full Review Joe Lipsett Anatomy of a Scream Podcast Network Despite the grounded nature of the film, Lynch finds opportunities to infuse his trademark surreal visual imagery, as well as harrowing sequences in both a bedroom and a train station. Hurt is a marvel, though the depiction of disability has aged Rated: 4/5 May 9, 2023 Full Review Edward Porter Sunday Times (UK) Nothing is allowed to eclipse John Hurt’s superb performance. Mar 13, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1000+) audience reviews
Jelisije J An excellent biopic of a man born with horrible disfigurements that the world will never forget. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/10/24 Full Review Sams K David Lynch shows how great he is with this masterpiece. And incredible drama with great actors, with a deep message of inclusiveness, the fact that it tells a real story, make the movie even more interesting to watch. Very inspiring. Great performance by Hopkins and Hurt, who described perfectly the sense of friendship with their sublime acting. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/29/24 Full Review NiB Y Probably the only movie that actually made me cry like a baby. There is not a single bad thing about this movie. It was the best film of 1980, even better than Raging Bull. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/07/24 Full Review Georgan G Wonderful movie based on a true bio drama re one man's physical differences & how others perceived him. There are kind & generous people and also mean-spirited & nasty people. Terrific acting. Didn't want it to end. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/21/24 Full Review Petros T "The Elephant Man" is an engaging and by Lynch's standards surprisingly accessible, straightforward watch throughout, boasting very good cinematography, great - and faithful - prosthetics, really good acting (especially by Anthony Hopkins and John Hurt), and some competent, interesting character work that might not necessarily be super subversive yet has a couple of things to say. It could perhaps be argued that it flirts a little with emotional manipulation, but thankfully it doesn't overdo it. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/24/24 Full Review Mike P A knockout movie. This movie had me bawling uncontrollably when I first saw it as an 11 year old...And ever since then, when ever I see it, it still gives me a lump in my throat. So moving and heartbreaking; with such BRILLIANT performances; especially by John Hurt; but also Ann Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins...Plus David Lynch's evocative direction...Such a simple, moving, compassionate film...A masterpiece... Overall: 👍recommended Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/10/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Elephant Man

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

The Elephant Man

The Elephant Man: Official Clip - Why Did I Do It? The Elephant Man: Official Clip - Why Did I Do It? 1:04 The Elephant Man: Official Clip - Loving Kindness The Elephant Man: Official Clip - Loving Kindness 1:14 The Elephant Man: Official Clip - This is My Home The Elephant Man: Official Clip - This is My Home 1:51 The Elephant Man: Official Clip - The Terrible Elephant Man The Elephant Man: Official Clip - The Terrible Elephant Man 1:55 The Elephant Man: Official Clip - I've Tried So Hard to be Good The Elephant Man: Official Clip - I've Tried So Hard to be Good 2:13 The Elephant Man: Official Clip - The Greatest Freak in the World The Elephant Man: Official Clip - The Greatest Freak in the World 1:42 The Elephant Man: Official Clip - I Want Him Back The Elephant Man: Official Clip - I Want Him Back 1:51 The Elephant Man: Official Clip - The Lord is My Shepherd The Elephant Man: Official Clip - The Lord is My Shepherd 2:13 The Elephant Man: Official Clip - People Are Frightened By What They Don't Understand The Elephant Man: Official Clip - People Are Frightened By What They Don't Understand 1:25 The Elephant Man: Official Clip - I Am a Human Being! The Elephant Man: Official Clip - I Am a Human Being! 2:01 View more videos
Mommie Dearest 48% 72% Mommie Dearest Watchlist Coal Miner's Daughter 85% 86% Coal Miner's Daughter Watchlist Mahler 75% 77% Mahler Watchlist Searching for Bobby Fischer 100% 86% Searching for Bobby Fischer Watchlist Stand and Deliver 89% 79% Stand and Deliver Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Dr. Frederic Treves (Anthony Hopkins) discovers Joseph (John) Merrick (John Hurt) in a sideshow. Born with a congenital disorder, Merrick uses his disfigurement to earn a living as the "Elephant Man." Treves brings Merrick into his home, discovering that his rough exterior hides a refined soul, and that Merrick can teach the stodgy British upper class of the time a lesson about dignity. Merrick becomes the toast of London and charms a caring actress (Anne Bancroft) before his death at 27.
Director
David Lynch
Producer
Jonathan Sanger
Screenwriter
Sir Frederick Treves, Ashley Montagu, Christopher De Vore, Eric Bergren, David Lynch
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount
Rating
PG
Genre
Biography, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 3, 1980, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 15, 2011
Runtime
2h 5m
Sound Mix
Dolby, Surround
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
Most Popular at Home Now