Starring Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt, Anne Bancroft, John Gielgud, Freddie Jones. Wendy Hiller.
Directed by David Lynch.
Produced by Stuart Cornfeld, Jonathan Sanger, Mel Brooks.
Screenplay by Christopher De Vore, Eric Bergren, David Lynch.
Based on the books The Elephant Man and Other Reminiscences by Frederick Treves.
The Elephant Man: A Study in Human Dignity by Ashley Montagu.
Music by John Morris
Cinematography by Freddie Francis.
Edited by Anne V. Coates.
WARNING THIS PIECE CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!!!!
The Elephant Man holds a special place in my heart, as it was my introduction to the work of David Lynch. I was in secondary school in 1980 and I vividly remember the film that was on everyone’s lips. The Elephant Man. Although at that time I had no idea who the director David Lynch was. The title and what I knew at that time of the story of Joseph Merrick, sometimes referred to as John and the name used in the film, was intriguing to Me. However, at that time I was 13 and too young to see it at the cinema, as in the UK it was a AA certificate, the equivalent of 15 (R) rating. Fast forward many months later and I was finally able to watch it on video cassette. The beautiful cover depicting the image of John Merrick wearing the cloth sack hood with one solitary hole in it was beautifully enigmatic to Me as a 13 Year old.
The film I saw I found to be mesmerising, heart breaking, horrifying, beautiful, sad, but ultimately uplifting. Everything a David Lynch work always is. It highlights what a genius He is perfectly, but beyond that the compassion and empathy he has for others. In my opinion, this is evident in all his work. The Elephant Man is the perfect introduction to the films of David Lynch, because it is far more accessible than some of his others.
What initially struck Me, when first watching it was the amazing black and white cinematography by Freddie Francis. Hellish and beautiful in a way only David Lynch could envisage. The depiction of Victorian Britain is one of the most realistic I’ve seen. It was the perfect choice to shoot it in black and white. For this reason alone I don’t think this film would be made nowadays. It’s amazing to Me it got made back then.
David Lynch is one of the best filmmakers at using horror film techniques in films which are not necessarily horror films on the surface. He uses these techniques to create an unsettling atmosphere in the creation of scenes and characters. His inspirations are also clearly on show in this film. The opening scene at the fair is a shot of a sign reading “Freaks”. A reference to Tod Browning’s 1932 film of the same name. As is the later scene where the circus “freaks” help John Merrick escape from Bytes in France. The look of some of the scenes is influenced by German expressionism films, like The Cabinet of Dr Caligari and the films of Salvador Dali. The play in the theatre scene near the end of the film seems to be referencing Georges Melies’ films. The editing and camera styles are very 30s and 40s horror influenced. All these things add to the unique, but ultimately Lynchian, feel of The Elephant Man.
We should be thankful to Mel Brooks and His Brooksfilms production company who financed it and gave David Lynch full creative freedom. Mel Brooks blocked studio interference in the final cut of the film, understanding perfectly the art of a filmmaker and their need for creative freedom. When He and Executive Producer Stuart Cornfeld screened The Elephant Man to Paramount executives, the executives wanted the surreal opening and ending cut from the film. Brooks, according to Cornfeld, told them, “We are involved in a business venture. We screened the film for you to bring you up to date as to the status of that venture. Do not misconstrue this as our soliciting the input of raging primitives.” He was straight and to the point and I admire Him in His backing of David Lynch’s vision.
The film itself deals perfectly with the subjects of tolerance, acceptance, how some people can be frighteningly judgmental and are afraid of what they don’t understand. The scene in the train station where John Merrick is chased by a mob and then cornered by them in a toilet encapsulates this perfectly. “I am not an animal! I am a human being! I Am…A…Man!” beautifully sums up the message of the film. It is heartbreaking and many people can relate to this. These subjects, in My opinion, are more relevant today than ever.
As to the actors, John Hurt had really been better. His initial scenes when His face is covered by the sack with one eye hole are some of My favourites. He conveys so much emotion just by His movement and the sound of His voice. Using no words at all. When His face is finally revealed He is unrecognisable under the amazing make up, which David Lynch initially tried to design Himself, but when He couldn’t get the look He wanted He handed it over to Christopher Tucker to supervise the design. It was eventually designed directly from a cast of Joseph Merrick’s body.
Anthony Hopkins was perfect as Frederick Treves. My favourite scenes of His are when He sees John Merrick for the first time. The expression on His face and the close up of the tear running down His face. Then the scene when He realises John has gone missing and He confronts Jim, the night porter. Finally, near the end of the film, when He realises He feels He may have used John for his own gain and asks his wife “Am I a good Man or a Bad Man.” No other actor could have played Fredrick Treves as He did.
Freddie Jones was realistically scary and ultimately pathetic in the role of Bytes, who uses and abuses John Merrick disgustingly to make money. The type of character that David Lynch is brilliant at creating.
It was My introduction to John Hurt, Anthony Hopkins, and Freddie Jones. Three actors I love to this day because of this film.
The ending is beautifully perfect, as eventually John Merrick finds happiness in the small things and simple things people do for Him. Like them just being kind to Him and seeing Him for the person He is and not how He looks. What We all as human beings want.
The very last scene is heartbreaking, but also life affirming. John Merrick finally has the acceptance and Love he craves. Which anyone can relate to. The moment as He lays down in His bed knowing it will kill Him is a beautifully tear jerking moment, but He dies happy in the knowledge He is loved and accepted as the human being He is.
Some have criticised the film’s over sentimentality, but for Me it is not at all. It is actually David Lynch’s heart, empathy, and compassion for others, that is more fully on display in this film than in some of His other films.
The reason I think I fell in love with his films from the first time I experienced The Elephant Man.
The main reason for Me loving all his works to this day.
MR GEEKY 