The Elephant Man - 23rd Psalm Scene

[TheMajortoht]

The Elephant Man is now in Heaven, but perfect.

[MOTHMAN225]

De Niro maybe the better actor, but Hurt gave a much more powerful, convincing, emotional performance as The Elephant Man. This is one of those few movies I find myself applauding for an actor. Thumbs up if you agree.

[MAMAMACHINE]

hes so cute :)

[phantomcrawford]

The score is amazing as is the acting. Saddest movie ever made.

[hemet92544]

whoops many who are first shall be last, many who are last shall be first

[hemet92544]

Merrick went to heaven, while the "owner" who flogged and beat him, went to hell.....Jesus, who was flogged and beaten, said in Matt 19:30: many who are first shall be last, but many who are first shall be last

[MrsJosephMerrick]

@hemet92544 The film is not accurate. Tom Norman who first showed Joseph in London most certainly never hurt him.He respected him &in a way cared for him. At first, when he first saw Joseph,he was so appalled at how he looked he really didnt want to exhibit him, but he saw how desparate Joseph was to work. It was Joseph who sought out this work, to get himself out of the workhouse. During the three years he worked in England he made friends and was respected by his fellow workers.

[ultrakool]

@MrsJosephMerrick that all may be true, but let the poetic license of this movie give hope because it is uplifting. suspension of disbelief, if you will

[MrsJosephMerrick]

@ultrakool I fully accept and admire the poetic license of the film! However, it is misleading, even upsetting. Also with re to characters which arent portrayed in the good light they should be. Such as suggesting his mother never loved him, or his manager was a sadistic villain...But anway, the real life of Joseph is no less inspiring and uplifting. :)

[MasterNacho94]

I just can't understand a single word he says.

[MOTHMAN225]

@MasterNacho94 In real life, John Merrick could not speak real well. You have to understand, the deformations on his head and around his mouth made it nearly impossible for him to speak. Hollywood replicated this well. So, strain your ears a little.

[moviehypno23]

@MOTHMAN225 I remember reading it was more his enlarged back teeth that required multiple dangerous surgeries before he could speak to any degree, rather than his head.

[YalkOne]

psalm 31,

like a shattered dish!

poor joseph merrick,

slurring through a prayer that jesus christ couldnt give a fuck about!

[xfukingxemoxdollx]

My favorite part of this movie :( I cry everytime I see this scene :(

[SecretAsianMan09]

People that judge by looks should be made blind.

[ReformedPastorJude]

Wow. the way he keeps repeating how kind everyone is because he's obviously nervous makes this such an awesome scene. Yeah, i got teary eyed here and about 10 other places w/this film

[newfful]

This movie gets me every time. Very well done movie.

[Destroysall]

this is so sad...poor guy.

[mrGavin4ever]

Maybe some of you could understand me then...I watched this movie as a child and was so moved that I named my first son Merrick...I have been ridiculed and worried that he will be made fun of...what is wrong with people

[MrsJosephMerrick]

@mrGavin4ever I understand. I have a son myself, so I know how difficult it is when giving your child a name...But I think its a very beautiful thing you did, and I hope everything will be ok for your boy. I dont think his friends at school will even know Josephs name, many people just know him (unkindly and in ignorance in my opinion) as the EM.

I wish your boy all the very best. Your boy Im sure will be proud of his name, apart from the reason you chose it, because its unusual &beautiful.

[joelswenson92]

im a guy that believe me i thought nothing can make me cry, but just by watching this clip it brought a tear to my eye, i can already tell this movie has raw emotional power! going to see it, RIP Joseph Merrick :'( i cant believe the amount of pain this poor man went through in his life, for everyone that disrespected this man, this poor poor man, i would like to say FUCK YOU!!! makes me want to drop those fuckers who see him as "circus material" fuckin basterds

[MrsJosephMerrick]

The 23rd Psalm is probably the most well-loved by so many - including myself. But how profoundly moving and poignant and beautiful it truly becomes when spoken by ''Mr Merrick''.

I would guess it would be his favourite too. ;)

[mlm71landscape]

I would like to see a movie made of his life from when he was young up until his death.I guess it would be hard to find someone to top John Hurts role as Mr.Merrick.

[MrsJosephMerrick]

Absolutely...I think such a film if it were made would be no less distressing and emotional. What I truly cant bear to imagine was how it was for him as a child. Its just too much...That would be very difficult to show. Its really upsetting.I feel so sad when I think of that, while I knew his mother loved him so much.

[MrsJosephMerrick]

Dear BWS, I really cant fathom your comment. This film could have only been done with English actors, speaking with an English accent, and the best British actors around. Joseph was English. Infact, I would think it an INSULT if this story was ever made again in ''American.'' Besides, you should be thinking of the message of this film, not how it it is spoken. This is the first time I have got a bit angry in posting a comment. I was born in the East End and I am as Cockney as Michael Caine..

[TORHAB]

I agree. IT would seem so fake and hollywood. They could still re-due it but it has to be with english actors.. or someone who could perfect the accent.

[MrsJosephMerrick]

Thanks for agreeing! Re your last sentence however, Americans NEVER get the accent right, it always sounds like theyre going hunting!!! Also, there are many accents of course within the Bristish accent, depending where you come from. Merrick came from Leciester, he would have a slight accent himself. The patients in the waitingroom would have mostly ''cockney'' accents, also there was a large emigrate community in the Whitechapel area. I dont think the film could have been made any better...

[tranurse]

@MrsJosephMerrick i can imagine you listening to us americans try to do a british accent, it much how i feel trying to listen to someone mangling a southern accent. i can't stand it, it just almost grates to hear it. that being said, i don't think this movie could have been improved.

[MrsJosephMerrick]

@tranurse Agree with you! (Not being rude or anything...)

More importantly I agree with you that perhaps the film couldnt be made better. I also think that if a new film were made now,because of the advance in makeup, it might put too much emphasis on Josephs deformity, - does that make sense? I just feel that in this film (with thanks to John Hurts incredible acting) you see him for what he truly is - a wonderful man in every way.Well, thats how it is for me.

[MrsJosephMerrick]

(CONT)

...however, saying all that, I do think many people would be interested by a fuller and more accurate retelling of Joseph's life, from childhood, and what he REALLY suffered, esp at the workhouse,no less distressing, while later of course there were so many kind people to help him to enjoy the remainder of his life as happy as possible at the hosp.Also, to show that his mother loved him so much...

And to show just how very brave and heroic he was in my opinion. MJM

[Imij11]

I watched this in a film analysis class, and struggled to hold back tears throughout the picture. It's such an incredible movie.

[juvenilejoker]

im in tears. my soul is crying for this man. but i know he is in heaven now with God.

[JASONHEINCHMANNNN]

if u think u have it bad....some one always has it worse.

[sophomorictrash]

I love how John Morris's music steadily builds throughout this sequence until it finally reaches an emotional crescendo. John Williams should learn a thing or two from this guy.

[topOZchick]

John Hurt one of the world best actors

[Gossage54]

If you don't cry at some point in this movie you have no soul.

[surrealgeorge]

We're watching this in my media production course at college - I've seen it before of course, but I was FIGHTING back tears to keep some dignity.

[tie32101]

@Gossage54

I think no hard ass, bad ass, murderer, tough guy cant shed a tear

[Demon666Evil]

@Gossage54 I guess gingers don't cry then, lol

[TommyDeBest]

i cried

[NavySealRay]

this made me cry.its a beautiful movie

[TheChiefsDude]

Wow

[lotten16]

wow, Anthony Hopkins has been in this movie?

awesome

he looks smoking gorgeus

[SuperMuzzyman]

is that all you can think about is how gorgeous he is ffs thats defeating the object mate its about joseph merrick not treves

[MrBat01]

Patriot2572 ,, what a ver unthoughful thing to say about Joseph Merrick,, Joseph you are home in the arms of you mother there in heaven,, rest well untill we all meet again in the lords house

[TuRdSandwitch18]

y can i relate to this guy??

[OppPaul]

This scene is very moving.

I also like the scene where he asks

Treeves if he can cure him...and gets

the response he expected.

Also, when he is having tea at Treeves

house and mentions that he "must've

been a great disappointment to" his

mother.

[profesortutka]

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

[OliviaTheGeek]

This scene is so sad! It makes me cringe too though, when Merrick keeps saying 'everybody's been so kind'. Arghh i know its just a film but its really got to me.

First film i've ever cried at as well :S

[powergirl07]

He is awsome and I know that he will make it to heaven. According to the people who knew him, he never showed any hatred to the people who abused him.

BTW, my name's number is the same as his, how cool is that!

RIP Joseph Merrick

[dusktilldogs]

name's number?

[powergirl07]

Every name has a number and that number has a meaning.

There's also a birth number.

[maiyapapaya]

oh i cried throughout the whole movie :(

[BarbarosDerby132]

I know that John is walking among the green pastures and still waters. Psalm 23 is my favorite scripture. How touching that it was John's as well. A truly amazing man with more courage than I can imagine. Peace be with you John.

[deedeedee500]

his name in real life was joseph merrick., the "story" was that his mother was hit by an elephant while pregnant and that tramatized her n made him like that. he was fed potatoes n water THAT'S it but then treves (the nice doctor) gave him hospital food. read the book it explains evrything n the book is based on the movie...n the movie is based on his life so yea.

[powergirl07]

sorry! I accidently minused your comment!

[canyouloveme2]

I've seen this movie before,

BUT

I'm not sure if his mother was raped by an elephant and that's how he was deformed like that

or His mother had relugar sexual intercourse with a man but he just so happened to come out deformed like that. That's what they say happened in real life to him, not in the movie.

So i'm confused....

[poppymirandax]

1:30 POTATOESH

ahahahhahaa

[Neptune5150]

He would have never been beaten if he had listened to Bytes and did what he said. Bytes needed to make money for his alcoholism and the Elephant was being difficult and refusing to perform his elephant act.

[Nickypink09]

2:47 John Merric starts to sing "The Lord is my Shepperd I shall not want" "Oh Bless him.XD

[CookieMonster9898]

I bet he was such a sweet heart

[wannabeangusyoung]

i nearly cried in that part

[tsunamiwater]

me to , i loved that he saved him self , and that he took a chance even when he though it was over for him, he did not stop'' praying ,,, lol i always get a big lump in my throat in that scene

[ranjitb68]

the music was great too, lovely movie - great acting

[Tago1991]

He very touched me when he tidied up his his jacket.

A great film , and a great person.

[Ubermann88HH]

kill the monster!

[Armoredfury193]

go to hell

[juneyserene]

Beautiful!

[TrulyHeartless]

True beauty was...John.

[LukePhillipsWINS]

dont push it

[theblobster8000]

didnt get any awards!!!!!!!! :(. it ws probably too sad lol

[bddbjrsexy]

God I love this movie. I cannot believe it didn't get any awards, truly a masterpiece.

[Babyhowdy233]

"Tis true my form is something odd, but blaming me is blaming God; could I create myself anew, I would not fail in pleasing you. If I could reach from pole to pole or grasp the ocean with a span, I would be measured by the soul; the MIND'S the measure of the man".-Joseph(John)Merrick

[Babyhowdy233]

If I live to be 100 years old I will never understand why this film didn't get any Oscars yet boring films like "The English Patient" and "The Piano" swept the awards! This film ranks among the top twenty of all time in my book!

[dztna]

I swear to god when he said potatoes I shivered a thousand times.....but I feel so bad for the poor man. AND I HATE THAT BYTES CHARACTER!!!!!

[TheDealMaster]

This is the best part of the movie.

[VenkoPenko]

he tawk very funny

[aranrenault]

You try talk with a head and mouth full of painful tumors.

[missgreeneyes56]

One of the best films ever made. I just cannot watch it all the way through. It hurts too much.

What a wonderful man he was and Dr. Treves. They did exist.

[JPHG88]

I have yet to see a John Gielgud film that I don't like

I saw this film for the 1st time when it was shown on itv3 earlier this year loved it truely moving. With an ending all other films aspire to.

[ElephantManChannel]

Amazing Film!

[Ginatheroma]

OOPS spelling mistake [ the minds the sdandard

of a man] just testing!

[1126thmp]

The minds the measure of the man.

[Ginatheroma]

If i could reach from pole to pole

And clasp the ocean with a span

I be measured by my soul

The mind's the sdanded of the man

John Merrick.

[Ginatheroma]

I admire John Merrick he will always be

a man of courage and intellect...

Elephant Man is one of the best true films

i have ever seen..Bless him!+

[synestheticmusic]

i like the effect no music in lynch's film gives.

[McqueenKid5]

thank you so much for posting this! This is one of the best parts of the movie. I was so amazed when he started talking all of tht the doctor didn't teach him. a breathtaking film.

Sincerely, mcqueenkid5 :)

[Rilyn666]

i dnt care how ugly he is, i jus wana give him a big hug an look after him :'(

[XXITSXOLIVEXX]

1:35-1:37 sounds like he says "POTATOES"!

[Theis2a]

because he does

[clover220]

that must have been very uncomfortable to live like that with skin swelling. Poor him. everytime i see him, my tears come out. Even if he was deformed, he was one of the beautiful ones in the world and those people that treated him bad were the freaks, not him!

[skatercrust]

i love this film that illness what john has is a tuma that can now be cured this film makes me cry and cry

[Babyhowdy233]

Actually, what Joseph suffered from has no known "cure". There have only been about 100 documented cases world-wide.

[aquamarinedream]

my favorite seen

[Wolfman895]

me 2

[eversoplucky]

This movie could have been revoltingly sentimental, only it wasn't. It was heartbreaking and extraordinarily well-acted. Love this scene.

[mileykizz]

heisst der elenfantenmensch net joseph merrick?die sagn john

[mileykizz]

zwei der wenigen menschen die normal mit ihm umgehen!find ich gut!

[Faeden]

This movie reminds me that the world is not all evil and that there really are advanced people that come to the world to teach us all (John Merrick being one of them) The movie is good for your soul. When I feel myself becoming hard and cold because of all the shit life throws at me, I always watch that film again and it brings me crashing down again and softens my heart. Anyone who doesn't shed at least one tear while watching that movie is either lying or is cold hearted. Its a very human film

[MostHauntedCharmedG]

People are so mean. I cried at this

[carinalillithkell]

the whole movie made me cry!

[howardstern666]

Mel Brooks produced this movie.

[LatinoParaSiempre]

So, beautiful!

[heathirving]

probably the most important film of our generation,of any generation. the lesson of tolerance,respect,and judgement of people based on things other than appearance.

[Babyhowdy233]

Beautifully put and 100% true!

[hardrockcoco]

John Hurt did an OUTSTANDING job as John (Joseph)

[Babyhowdy233]

He sure did-IMHO THIS was the best performance Hurt has given in his entire outstanding career.

[Greekwarrior93]

Iwant to cry so much....beautiful,beautiful film.

[LucyIsSoHottlol]

I cried here too. its just amazing and beautiful how a man who's been through years of abuse can still be so gentle and have such a strong faith in God. Its one of those inexplainable feelings. Words do his person justice.

[Babyhowdy233]

In actuality, Joseph(John)Merrich was never beaten nor mistreated. Amazingly he even worked in his teens as a hawker:the rough equivalent of a door to door saleman!

[Armoredfury193]

Beaten, perhaps not. But I can't see how you would say he wasn't mistreated later in life, when he was constantly harassed by local children and seen as a mutant rather than a man by the general public.

[Babyhowdy233]

Well, from the many reliable sources I referenced to, he certainly WASN'T "harassed" by the local children nor adults either, even before the doctor came into his life. His condition PROGRESSED as he got older, making a marked downturn in the last few years of his life. In his younger years he actually worked as what we nowadays call a "door to door saleman" and when the condition progressed to grotesque proportions he only then resorted to voluntarily putting himself on public display.

[Armoredfury193]

"Putting himself on public display..." I still see it as a tragic thing that he was forced to do so.

[ftumschk]

It is indeed tragic, but Merrick saw being in the show as preferable to a life in a Workhouse, and better than being shown by Treves to medics for no fee at all. Indeed, he found the latter particularly humiliating, and came to resent his visits to the hospital, eventually refusing to cooperate with Treves.

Unlike in the film, Tom Norman (the showman) fed, treated and paid him rather well, and from the show's "run" in Whitechapel Merrick saved more than £50. A respectable sum in those days.

[MoonAharshMistress]

But the problem was he was still "owned" by Norman, beaten, kept like a slave etc..

I agree tho , that Treves motives were soft-soaped a bit for the purposes of hollywood. Treves was an ambitios doctor who used Merrick as an exhibit piece; none of this was lost on poor Merrick, who was supposedly of exceptional intelligence. . it was only after Merricks abduction that Treves felt guilty enuogh to give him a decent secure room, in the basement of his own family house in Wimpole Street.

[ftumschk]

I'm not sure that Norman beat him, though. On the contrary, the evidence we have shows that Merrick's relationship with him seems to have been rather positive. It seems to have been more of a "business relationship", rather than that of "master/slave". Merrick's experience in Belgium, under the "freak" show owner, Ferrari, seems to have been an altogether more exploitative and abusive affair.

[MoonAharshMistress]

he hated to be a burden and hated being pitied even more than being despised, and always wanted to earn his own living, but the only living open to him was one that reinforced his stigma further..he had no choices, poor ppl didnt in victorian england-even less so if you were deformed..

..poor love.. he did the best he could

[andomamern]

Yes but Treves didn't abduct him. Merrick asked for his care.

[Neptune5150]

He was fed potatoes and peanuts and whatever else elephants eat. Probably better off in the circus to be honest.

[diosyandpanic]

well isnt someone a asshole :)

[celaya4ever]

What do you prefer, Raging Bull or The Elephant Man? Both movies were showed in 1980. They competed in the Academy Awards. Finally, they are similar in the kind of story (a biopic) and the b/w cinematography."

[rorrt]

the two films are incomparible, what do you prefer Three Kings or Fight Club or Se7en. the two are incomparible, i could not sound unsubjective.

[Babyhowdy233]

Yes, and to this day it astounds me that "Raging Bull" got best actor and film honors when this VASTLY SUPERIOR film didn't receive even one Oscar award! Truely pathetic.

[jenjenshappyfamily]

Bless him. Did the Professor who looked after Joseph Merrick keep a diary or something. And this is hw they got some detail into the stories.

[jamesyeahbaby]

It's just a shame that it was completely made up.

[Greekwarrior93]

you ass hole John Merick is and was as real as me and you.

[Physischitzo]

I believe that he is more real, because he lives in the hearts of so many, and helps us to be better people

[Greekwarrior93]

Very true.

[Greekwarrior93]

I used to feel uncomfortable around disabled people but after watching this I dont anymore,

its amazing how someone thats been beating and made fun of can be so kind and gentle hearted.

[Caboose1495]

It wasnt made up!

[methicillinresistant]

One of the most (if not the most) compelling scenes in film. When he starts reciting the part they didn't rehearse... what an incredibly sad and poignant moment.

[slayerxv]

i cried in this scene..not like u no boohoo..like histerical nowing what such a beautiful hearted man went throo

[tracyterry]

the real accomplishment here is the acting of Hopkins, Gielgud, and John Hurt (heavy makeup aside)

[rorrt]

I totally agree, in this film we can see a word perfect script, inch perfect direction, and the acting ain't half bad... the film is not perfect in my opinion because i don't thing this is a great film, i think it is a good film with great moments, one of my top ten though, lynch is amazing. and this is the film of Hopkins career, for what he will always be remembered for he played Hannibal well but without the story behind his eyes as he did in this film. one of the best welsh actors ever......

[AdamAus85]

I did too. But it was minimal to when the film finished, and I cried well into the credits.

What a story.

[Emnor1993]

i cried over the half of the movie

beginning with this scene

[cindytohley]

You're not alone. I cried so much watching this movie my mom started getting concerned.

[Clancy1326]

I watched this for the first time at about 3 in the morning and I was bawling the whole way through, especially the "romeo" scene

and I don't usually cry at movies

[SMAfilms]

I cried.

[mistressoftheopera]

I as well.