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.
Direction
Lynch's restraint—nightmare adjacent, never exploitative
Cinematography
Freddie Francis's chiaroscuro beauty in every frame
Acting
Hurt's voice-only auditions convinced Lynch—no prosthetic needed
Director
David Lynch
Anthony Hopkins
Frederick Treves
John Hurt
John Merrick
Anne Bancroft
Mrs Kendal
John Gielgud
Carr Gomm
Wendy Hiller
Mothershead
Freddie Jones
Bytes
Michael Elphick
Night Porter
Hannah Gordon
Mrs Treves
Helen Ryan
Princess Alex
John Standing
Fox
Dexter Fletcher
Bytes' Boy
Lesley Dunlop
Nora
Phoebe Nicholls
Merrick's Mother
Pat Gorman
Fairground Bobby
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Hurt's makeup took 7-8 hours daily; he lost 20 pounds and ate only liquefied food through a straw on shooting days.
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