Celebrating the 40th anniversary of its release, award-winning historical drama The Elephant Man is an unforgettable story of dignity and survival in late 19th century London.
John Merrick (John Hurt, in intricate prosthetics) is the ‘Elephant Man’, a man spurned by society because of the disfiguring disabilities he was born with and forced into circus sideshows to make a living. Rescued by well-meaning surgeon Frederick Treves (Sir Anthony Hopkins), he tries to escape a life of prejudice and cruelty as he attempts to fit into a world ruled by Victorian sensibilities. Yet, as the two men spend more time together, Merrick reveals himself to be a person of kindness, intelligence and sophistication.
Aesthetically shot in black and white, The Elephant Man boasts a stellar supporting cast including Anne Bancroft, John Gielgud, and Wendy Hiller. Presented in a stunning 4K restoration, with both picture and sound overseen by one-of-a-kind auteur David Lynch (Eraserhead 1977, Mulholland Drive 2001), The Elephant Man is a high-brow period drama nominated for eight Academy Awards that cemented Lynch’s reputation as one of world’s most visionary talents.