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Catalog/Biography/The Elephant Man
The Elephant Man poster
A
Excellent
MASTER SCORE 78.7 / 100
1980·Biography / Drama / History·2h 4m

THE ELEPHANT MAN

“A true story of courage and human dignity.”

A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man being mistreated by his "owner" as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous façade, there is revealed a person of great intelligence and sensitivity. Based on the true story of Joseph Merrick (called John Merrick in the film), a severely deformed man in 19th century London.

Above the Line
David Lynch·DirectorDavid Lynch·ScreenplayChristopher De Vore·ScreenplayFreddie Francis·Director of PhotographyJohn Morris·Original Music ComposerAnne V. Coates·Editor
Cast
Anthony Hopkins·Frederick TrevesJohn Hurt·John MerrickAnne Bancroft·Mrs KendalJohn Gielgud·Carr GommWendy Hiller·MothersheadFreddie Jones·BytesMichael Elphick·Night PorterHannah Gordon·Mrs TrevesHelen Ryan·Princess AlexJohn Standing·Fox
Full Crew
(30 credits)
Directing· 2
David Lynch·DirectorAnthony Waye·Assistant Director
Writing· 3
David Lynch·ScreenplayChristopher De Vore·ScreenplayEric Bergren·Screenplay
Camera· 2
Freddie Francis·Director of PhotographyFrank Connor·Still Photographer
Editing· 2
Anne V. Coates·EditorPatrick Moore·Assistant Editor
Sound & Music· 6
John Morris·Original Music ComposerTerry Sharratt·Boom OperatorPeter Horrocks·Sound EditorAlan Splet·Special Sound EffectsDavid Lynch·Sound DesignerJack Hayes·Orchestrator
Art & Design· 6
Patricia Norris·Costume DesignStuart Craig·Production DesignRobert Cartwright·Art DirectionHugh Scaife·Set DecorationChristopher Tucker·Makeup DesignerWally Schneiderman·Makeup Artist
Production· 4
Jonathan Sanger·ProducerStuart Cornfeld·Executive ProducerMel Brooks·ProducerMaggie Cartier·Casting
Other Departments· 5
Stephanie Kaye·HairstylistNeil Corbould·Special EffectsGarth Inns·Special EffectsGraham Longhurst·Special EffectsPaul Corbould·Special Effects
By the Numbers
78.7
OF 100
Master Score
8.2
OF 10
IMDb
92%
CRITICS
Rotten Tomatoes
$26M
ROI 420%
Worldwide Gross
0
8 NOMS
Oscar Wins
Where to Watch

THE AVAILABILITY MAP

The canonical record of where this film lives across the streaming map.

Provider Index In Progress

Streaming, rental, and purchase availability for this title is being ingested from the TMDB watch-providers feed and will appear here once the next catalog refresh runs. Until then, the canonical source links below remain the fastest route.

Find on TMDB
Poster DNA

THE VISUAL DECONSTRUCTION

A bespoke vision agent's reading of the design language behind The Elephant Man's key art.

Dominant Palette
3 colors
#0A0A0A
#FFFFFF
#4D4D4D
Mood
Mysterious, Somber, Isolated
Composition
Centered
Era
1980s
Visual Style
Grunge

“A black and white, grainy, and textured movie poster depicts a person in a dark coat and hat, with a sack-like covering over their head, standing in profile fac”

dramabiography
Key Elements
CoatHatSack Over HeadWindow
Atmosphere
Dark, Gritty
Color Mood
Neutral
Setting
Indoor
Design Score
8/10
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THE NEIGHBORHOOD

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Keep Going

THREE WAYS DEEPER

Auteur
AUT
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Era
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