The legendary David Lynch wasn’t known for films about deep humanity, but when he made his 1980 masterpiece, The Elephant Man, he really understood it. Centering directly on the life of John Merrick and not so much of his disability, Lynch allows Merrick’s intelligence, decency, and true dignity to show, crafting a poignant tale of friendship between a doctor and his patient.
Buy The Elephant Man (Criterion Collection)Based on the true story of John Merrick (beautifully portrayed by John Hurt under tons of complex makeup), a man with a rare congenital disorder used as a sideshow performer. He is discovered by London surgeon Frederick Treves (Anthony Hopkins), who brings Merrick into his home but assumes he must intellectually disabled as well. Treves is soon taught a valuable lesson on not judging someone based on looks as Merrick reveals his brilliance, acceptance of himself, and his own views of the world around him. He becomes quite the well-respected figure, charming and enlightening everyone who is lucky to meet him just before his death at age 28.
Despite several scenes of cruelty towards Merrick and his suffering, there is great beauty in the imagery and compassion in the performances of not just Hurt and Hopkins, but also Anne Bancroft, John Gielgud, Wendy Hiller, and Hannah Gordon. You realize with this film and Lynch’s other tale of humanity, 1999’s The Straight Story, that he was very capable of showing connection and warmth that people can still possess.
Making its 4K UHD debut, the film’s haunting cinematography and atmosphere will be better than ever. The supplements (albeit older) are still amazing. They include archival interviews with Lynch, actor John Hurt, producers Mel Brooks and Jonathan Sanger, director of photography Freddie Francis, stills photographer Frank Connor, and makeup artist Christopher Tucker; Lynch and critic Kristine McKenna reading from Room to Dream, a 2018 book they coauthored; audio recording from 1981 of an interview and Q&A with Lynch at the American Film Institute, and much more. It also comes with a book of excerpts from the 2005 edition of filmmaker/writer Chris Rodley’s book Lynch on Lynch, and an 1886 letter to the editor of the London Times concerning Merrick by Francis Culling Carr Gomm, chairman of the London Hospital.
If you love the work of Lynch or need a good starting point to his surreal cinematic vision, then The Elephant Man and Criterion’s release should definitely seal the deal. The film remains a seminal and overwhelmingly humane classic.
Other releases:
The Drama (A24): Zendaya and Robert Pattinson star in this dark comedy about a couple who face a bizarre crisis when unexpected secrets derail what one of them thought they knew about the other. Also starring Alana Haim.
Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror (Alliance Entertainment): An endearing document tracing the wild history of the 1975 cult hit, from its early days as a London stage play, to its undying legacy as a beloved classic that still triumphs in midnight screenings and pop culture to this very day.
