In the movie he's called John Merrick, but, his real name is Joseph and his mother had some form of physical disability herself and he had a brother who died of scarlet fever when he was four and a sister who was born with physical disabilities and died when she was 14. At the time he was born "maternal impression" was common in England so the family told people she had been knocked down and frightened by an elephant when she was pregnant.
How old were you when you saw it? 11 for me and this movie made me sad at the end as i felt the pain he went through as he is a normal man who looks different than any other person. Did you too felt for Penguin's pain on Batman Returns for being different than a normal person?
@Johnlindsey289 I was around 4 when i very first saw it on cable and it did make me feel sad for him. I can't say that i felt the same kind of pity for Penguin though because he was just so evil and twisted. Besides, Penguin wasn't a real person anyway and John Merrick was.
David Lynch's masterpiece besides Blue Velvet! a unique and very sad film that i always liked since i saw this on HBO when i was 11 and really touched my heart as it was my first Lynch experience between Twin Peaks
@nikemac84 No, he did not. Wikipedia will tell you about ''Rocky'' Dennis's condition, which affects the cranial bones.
Joseph had Proteus Syndrome( and possibly Neurofibromatosis 1 as well), which affects the growth of bones, &nerves - in various parts of the body - usually hands, legs, feet, &face.Again, just read about Proteus on the net if your interested.About 200 people worldwide today have this condition, while Joseph's case is believed to be the most extreme.
Hadn't seen this movie in years a newer video on a research as to how he died. See"Autopsy of the Elephant Man". Explains that when he did lay back maybe unintended the spinal cord snapped by the weight of his head (over 20 lbs) cutting off his ability to move and he suffocated shortly after. It should have been quick and relatively painless. Studied him in Abnormal Psychology courses in college. Still rare there are only 9 known people with this condition. There lives are richer thanks to him.
@oldmomma It is believed Joseph had Proteus syndrome, and there are in fact 200 people affected wiorldwide with this condition. While he may have also had NF 1. DNA testing is inclusive because of the way his remains were prepared.Treves did take tissue samples, but these were destrpyed in WW2 by a bomb - those tissue samples may have well solved the mystery once and for all of Joseph's condition.
@copnite12342 Lynch uses black and white to stylistic effect. It creates its own world if you think about it, and the movie does seem more classic because of it.
there iis no such thing as normal!!!!!! normal does not exist 'tis but a slimy cruel cut at others. i would much perfer it to be deemed a freak!, than to be reffered to as normal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i say this for Joseph C Merrick, my hero whom went through more (unladilike word here) than alot of us can handle in our lives!!
I get mad when I see that Freaks sign. What right do we have, as human beings, to put our fellow men/women up on a stage to gawk at their looks? We are the hideous ones in that case, not them. Most certainly not them.
@iheartslashers If you don't know, please don't judge. If you've ever actually investigated circus freaks, read books, seen documentaries, or been educated as to "freaks", you'd be aware that being onstage or displayed in some manner is often the only way that so-called "freaks" can both make a living, and feel like they're accepted as part of a group. I recommend you read the book "Monsters", or see the films "Freaks" (Tod Browning version) or the HBO-shown documentary "Some Call Them Freaks".
@vlogsisterhood I'm not talking about just circuses; I'm talking about society as a whole. The so-called "freaks" would be able to feel accepted by society as a whole and be able to make a living normally if we, the "non-freaks" would just grow up and accept that not everyone looks the same. Do you understand what I meant now?
Would you say the same thing about Batman Returns's Penguin? i mean he was born different and treated like garbage at first then got accepted but he did ended up a bad guy who just wanted his humanity.
he has a legitmate desease folks. they just didn't know what it was, or waht caused it. and when you don't know, you'll make up anything to make it make sense.
@ABookByAnyOtherName Not odd at all! I know a few women, and theres probably more out there but perhaps embarassed to say so, who find him very sweet, his character charming, and definately worthy of a hug. The real Joseph Merrick's eyes were a dark brown, and said to be very beautiful, not to say very expressive as well. :)
Thank you for posting this extraordinary film by David Lynch...The tea room scene is especially moving...The use of black-and-white photography is extremely effective; most of the greatest directors in the past fifty years have made at least one non-color film to preserve the integrity of their vision...Kudos to Mel Brooks and David Lynch...
Ok, just to clear this up, here's the deal with the elephants at the beginning.
When Mary Jane Merrick was pregnant with Joseph (John) Merrick, she was knocked over and frightened by an elephant at a fair. In 19th Century England, "maternal impression" was a popular belief. Basically, they thought that the emotional experiences of a pregnant woman could have lasting physical effects on her unborn child. Silly, but that was the theory back then.
@BroadwayAndTheMet wait, I thought that was just a lie that they made up in that fake autobiography of Joseph? they said his mother had an accident with an elephant
@LeMcCHarStar4ever Actually, that really is what they thought. Joseph himself believed it to be the cause of his deformities. The point is, that's the story in the context of the movie.
@BroadwayAndTheMet No silly at all. Emotions release hormones into the bloodstream, which is inherently shared by the fetus - this is especially true for stress hormones such as cortisol. When high levels of these hormones are release, they influence neurological development (i.e. this influences hypervigilence to stimuli etc). - H Moore, MA Clinical Professional Psychology
@benamy02 There was a travelling fair,which included elephants,which passed through Leicester each year.It seems she was agitated either by the animals,or perhaps by the huge crowds.So there is some truth to it, &it just became the ''story'' attached to him during his own days working the fairs.Joseph was bewildered by his disease, and brought up on ''old wives tales''.Yet, he was an intelligent man also, even as he clung to this ridiculous reason for his terrible deformity.
Though this movie is one of the saddest movie ever made, it goes to show you that we are all different, no matter what the disability or disease...the important thing is we all have a soul, like John Merick...he was a sweet, sweet man and no one ever gave him the chance to show it. Teaches us to think twice before going off on how different a person is.
@princess4life49 ...of course NOT raped. elephants don't "rape" people... the rumour was that merriks mother was attacked by an elephant while pregnant with him, and that's why he was born with this disease. that's what he himself believed. of course, we now know that's impossible and total B.S.
The film is raw, frustrating, cruel, challenging, and BRILLIANT in every way. One of the greatest works I have ever seen. I do remember that I wasn't worth a DAMN for the 2-3 days that followed.... Incredible work by Sir Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt, and of course, the one and only David Lynch.
What happened is that he suffered from a terrible disease called neurofibromotosis. it produced tumors all over his body. The story about his mother being raped by an elelphant or ran over by an elelphant is purely fictional. this is the story Bytes, the elephantmans gaurdian would tell people who came to see the show. It was just a made up story to explain why he looked the way he did. This is What I think it was. my opinion.
so did the woman freak out when she saw elephents or did the elephents trample her causing defomity to the baby. the beggining is kinda confusing and has freaky sounds. shat was the woman doing and screaming for? aahh! im so confused.
@Pyremnmz He had neurofibromatosis and Proteus symtom combined - as far as reseachers have determined from his remains. He was born as a perfect beautiful baby, the disease only began to show itself when he was about 3 years old - his mother noticed a lump on his lower lip, other symtoms - and the films depiction of her is very wrong, which I am always anxious to point out. She loved him very much, and in his short autobiography Joseph says how much he missed her (she died when he was 11).
Lol, not exactly. It was generally thought that Joseph Carey Merrick (the elephant man) got his deformities because his mother received a shock from being scared by an elephant while pregnant with him.
@PvtGaryRoach Eww... Relax. I was seriously asking what was the deal with that scene. We just see elephants and this woman looking like she's being like... Raped. Is that what was being suggested?
Back in the day it was thought that if a pregnant woman was traumatized by frightening events the fetus would be affected by what affected the expectant mother.
@Boobalopbop no, in reality, she was at a circus when she was about sixth months pregnant and she got knocked over and scared shitless by one of the elephants. she wasn't trampled, she certainly wasn't raped. (-rolls eyes-)
@Boobalopbop his mother was allegedly startled by an elephant, back in the day people believed a woman's emotions during pregnancy could have adverse effects on the soon to be born child
@MSREALHIPHOP101 Well, I do. My Uncle has been living with a disease similar to this one, and he's the coolest guy. It never detracted from his handsomeness, inside or outside.
How did this not win any awards at the Oscars?! It's possibly one of the greatest movies ever made. It's got everything film today lacks! John Hurt and Anthony Hopkins were fantastic in this movie!
dear balrog, i agree with you of course. And I'm actually annoyed to say that we know why - because it was English actors etc. de Niro was already sighted as Best Actor...It an understatement to say it was unfair. Its always the same I feel, Its never the BEST who win.
I meant at the Oscar awards at the time it was released so it has nothign to do with age. Besides it's only been around 30 years. That's not terribly old anyway nor does it deter from it's quality. It's black and white to enhance the make-up's realism and add more mood.
one of the most challenging films i have ever seen. it shows the cruel and barbaric nature of mankind yet shows the triumph of an individual human spirit.
I saw an elephant man when I rode the bus a month ago. And I was inspired. It fills me with good spirits to see somebody so disfigured be so nice and kind to everyone else.
It's fuckin admirable how these people have found the will to not kill themselves. It gives me such strength to keep moving forward when times get tough.
I don't think she was actually raped by an elephant! In those days the owners of the freak shows made up stories about their 'freaks' to add a bit of interest, and the more shocking the better.
Sorry, a couple of people had asked a similar question below so i thought i'd put my two cents in and just happened to reply to yours as it was the most recent.
It was not just ''a story''. This opening scene was based on the fact that his mother was knocked over in the crowd of people (while carrying Joseph) watching a parade of elephants going through Leciester, as part of a fair or something like that which passed through the town every year. I always find the crying baby during the clouds very sad .
well, Im sure it is a great film, but you cant forget- this movie has a lot of false material in it. Merrick volunteered to work in the sideshow, he wasn't forced. Its about the only work he could get with the way he was back then. A lot of false drama was added, in order to make the movie more emotional.
It wasn't just his badly deformed head, these lumps, bumps and boils covered his whole body. The only parts of his body that looked 'normal' were his right arm and his genitals. Have a look at the real photographs of him. This man was ridiculed by everyone for the way he looked, 120 years later nothing has changed has it.
This condition is called neurofibromatosis. Joseph Carey Merrick was his real name, and he was born in Leicester. This man stayed in the workhouses of victorain England from time to time during his life. He also worked as a door to door salesman. As for the freak shows as this film depicts, were not against his will, he actually volunteered. It was one of the only ways Joseph could make a living during his short 27 year life.
Apart from anything else, he was so brave. He wanted to be independent and earn his own keep, even as he was turned away door to door when they knew it was him. Poor soul, but I admire him greatly, his spirit doesnt make me sad. He is a hero, and and a true Angel in Heaven.
you can specialise in what you like. my point is there was no elephants here back then. how can you get a elephant to leicester back then? and no one in the slums where john merrick lived could afford to waste money on looking at elephants. this film isnt based of proof or facts its just a movie.
Joseph Merrick himself said all this about the elephants and his mother, not me. More modern research now suggests the deformities were due to Proteus syndrome. This film is, as it is based in the man's own time, founded only in what Merrick said.
becuase its a freak show and his names the elaphant man? ofcourse his mother wasnet actually struck by an elephant, his freakshow name is the elaphant man soooo ye
the elephant struck the mother down when she was pregnant and the blow deformed the baby. she wasn't raped or scared or anything (well, she was scared, but thats not why John Merrick - The Elephant Man - is deformed).
In the movie he's called John Merrick, but, his real name is Joseph and his mother had some form of physical disability herself and he had a brother who died of scarlet fever when he was four and a sister who was born with physical disabilities and died when she was 14. At the time he was born "maternal impression" was common in England so the family told people she had been knocked down and frightened by an elephant when she was pregnant.
hjb103055 1 day ago
Make this video for mobile! I really wanna see this movie again!
SkilletBball41 2 weeks ago
i haven't seen this movie in over 15 yrs. it's great to see it again, and to see Sir Anthony Hopkins! so young looking too :) thanks for posting :)
PrinceRavensword 2 weeks ago
The Elephant Man is me favourite film!
TheMrPatriot1 2 weeks ago
Saddest movie ever.
TobeyStarburst 3 weeks ago
A great but very sad movie. The opening scene with the elephants kind of scared me when i first saw this as a kid.
TheAltair4 1 month ago 2
@TheAltair4
How old were you when you saw it? 11 for me and this movie made me sad at the end as i felt the pain he went through as he is a normal man who looks different than any other person. Did you too felt for Penguin's pain on Batman Returns for being different than a normal person?
Johnlindsey289 1 month ago
@Johnlindsey289 I was around 4 when i very first saw it on cable and it did make me feel sad for him. I can't say that i felt the same kind of pity for Penguin though because he was just so evil and twisted. Besides, Penguin wasn't a real person anyway and John Merrick was.
TheAltair4 1 month ago
David Lynch's masterpiece besides Blue Velvet! a unique and very sad film that i always liked since i saw this on HBO when i was 11 and really touched my heart as it was my first Lynch experience between Twin Peaks
Johnlindsey289 1 month ago
Does the elephant man have the same disease as the kid Rocky had in the movie "The Mask"????
nikemac84 1 month ago
@nikemac84 No, he did not. Wikipedia will tell you about ''Rocky'' Dennis's condition, which affects the cranial bones.
Joseph had Proteus Syndrome( and possibly Neurofibromatosis 1 as well), which affects the growth of bones, &nerves - in various parts of the body - usually hands, legs, feet, &face.Again, just read about Proteus on the net if your interested.About 200 people worldwide today have this condition, while Joseph's case is believed to be the most extreme.
MrsJosephMerrick 1 month ago
Comment removed
nikemac84 1 month ago
Thank you for putting up this Major David Lynch's master piece
zaodizao 1 month ago
Hadn't seen this movie in years a newer video on a research as to how he died. See"Autopsy of the Elephant Man". Explains that when he did lay back maybe unintended the spinal cord snapped by the weight of his head (over 20 lbs) cutting off his ability to move and he suffocated shortly after. It should have been quick and relatively painless. Studied him in Abnormal Psychology courses in college. Still rare there are only 9 known people with this condition. There lives are richer thanks to him.
oldmomma 1 month ago
@oldmomma It is believed Joseph had Proteus syndrome, and there are in fact 200 people affected wiorldwide with this condition. While he may have also had NF 1. DNA testing is inclusive because of the way his remains were prepared.Treves did take tissue samples, but these were destrpyed in WW2 by a bomb - those tissue samples may have well solved the mystery once and for all of Joseph's condition.
MrsJosephMerrick 1 month ago
who else is watching this for honors quest at uofa?
TheAznJae 4 months ago
robert redford said life is sad but i am not a sad man.
shafta99 5 months ago
Yes thanks, featured on Poetry Trains face book, and playlist
PoetryETrain 5 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Great film. One of the most emotional films I've ever seen.
ridewave444 6 months ago
what year was this made in?
copnite12342 6 months ago
@copnite12342 It was made in 1980
ladyyuna2000 6 months ago
@ladyyuna2000 im guessing the black and white color adds the classic touch.
copnite12342 6 months ago
@copnite12342 Lynch uses black and white to stylistic effect. It creates its own world if you think about it, and the movie does seem more classic because of it.
Schizima 3 months ago
Free thoose whom are exploited!!!!
Orianmast18 6 months ago
there iis no such thing as normal!!!!!! normal does not exist 'tis but a slimy cruel cut at others. i would much perfer it to be deemed a freak!, than to be reffered to as normal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i say this for Joseph C Merrick, my hero whom went through more (unladilike word here) than alot of us can handle in our lives!!
Rest in Peace dear friend.
Orianmast18 6 months ago
I get mad when I see that Freaks sign. What right do we have, as human beings, to put our fellow men/women up on a stage to gawk at their looks? We are the hideous ones in that case, not them. Most certainly not them.
iheartslashers 6 months ago in playlist Cool Things 23
@iheartslashers People are to judgemental you need to look a certain way and weigh a certain amount or u will be judged or made fun of
products1122 4 months ago
@products1122 I know. TT All too well.
iheartslashers 3 months ago
@iheartslashers If you don't know, please don't judge. If you've ever actually investigated circus freaks, read books, seen documentaries, or been educated as to "freaks", you'd be aware that being onstage or displayed in some manner is often the only way that so-called "freaks" can both make a living, and feel like they're accepted as part of a group. I recommend you read the book "Monsters", or see the films "Freaks" (Tod Browning version) or the HBO-shown documentary "Some Call Them Freaks".
vlogsisterhood 2 months ago
@vlogsisterhood I'm not talking about just circuses; I'm talking about society as a whole. The so-called "freaks" would be able to feel accepted by society as a whole and be able to make a living normally if we, the "non-freaks" would just grow up and accept that not everyone looks the same. Do you understand what I meant now?
iheartslashers 2 months ago
@iheartslashers
Would you say the same thing about Batman Returns's Penguin? i mean he was born different and treated like garbage at first then got accepted but he did ended up a bad guy who just wanted his humanity.
Johnlindsey289 1 month ago
@Johnlindsey289 Yes, I would say the exact same thing; some peple just need more tlc than others.
iheartslashers 3 weeks ago
he has a legitmate desease folks. they just didn't know what it was, or waht caused it. and when you don't know, you'll make up anything to make it make sense.
ajlee35 7 months ago
...makes my heart reel...
TheSupremeGenius 7 months ago
This also reminds me of the Phantom of the Opera.
Love that movie <3 Cried every time.
hazardh1 7 months ago
this sad meloncholy song. carnival theme added.
veeseee128 8 months ago
I know it is an odd opinion, but I personally think there was something cute about John Merrick. His eyes were so bright.
ABookByAnyOtherName 8 months ago
@ABookByAnyOtherName Not odd at all! I know a few women, and theres probably more out there but perhaps embarassed to say so, who find him very sweet, his character charming, and definately worthy of a hug. The real Joseph Merrick's eyes were a dark brown, and said to be very beautiful, not to say very expressive as well. :)
MrsJosephMerrick 7 months ago
Thank you for posting this extraordinary film by David Lynch...The tea room scene is especially moving...The use of black-and-white photography is extremely effective; most of the greatest directors in the past fifty years have made at least one non-color film to preserve the integrity of their vision...Kudos to Mel Brooks and David Lynch...
nickellicker 8 months ago
Ok, just to clear this up, here's the deal with the elephants at the beginning.
When Mary Jane Merrick was pregnant with Joseph (John) Merrick, she was knocked over and frightened by an elephant at a fair. In 19th Century England, "maternal impression" was a popular belief. Basically, they thought that the emotional experiences of a pregnant woman could have lasting physical effects on her unborn child. Silly, but that was the theory back then.
Got it?
BroadwayAndTheMet 8 months ago 26
@BroadwayAndTheMet wait, I thought that was just a lie that they made up in that fake autobiography of Joseph? they said his mother had an accident with an elephant
LeMcCHarStar4ever 1 month ago
@LeMcCHarStar4ever Actually, that really is what they thought. Joseph himself believed it to be the cause of his deformities. The point is, that's the story in the context of the movie.
BroadwayAndTheMet 1 month ago
@BroadwayAndTheMet oooooh! thank u!
LeMcCHarStar4ever 1 month ago
@BroadwayAndTheMet No silly at all. Emotions release hormones into the bloodstream, which is inherently shared by the fetus - this is especially true for stress hormones such as cortisol. When high levels of these hormones are release, they influence neurological development (i.e. this influences hypervigilence to stimuli etc). - H Moore, MA Clinical Professional Psychology
hmoorencs15 1 week ago
she got raped by an elephant?!?!? is that even possible?
Chryseebee34 9 months ago
@Chryseebee34 she didnt is only the represantation of the man who carried the disease her son
butterskullz 9 months ago
@Chryseebee34 Yeah thats what I thougth too. Get raped by elephant equals elephant man babies.
motherwolfe66 7 months ago
She got raped by an elephant. lulz
FuckItSnoopy 9 months ago
where's the rest of the movie?
wolfstev76 10 months ago
no one should ever be treated as an animal... it's so sad
ThunderEagle115 10 months ago
2:33 - 3:00 = The Exorsist :3
This is an AMAZING movie! How on earth did this not make it the oscars!?
KittyKazooTV 11 months ago
@KittyKazooTV it was nominated in 8 categories but didnt win any i think it should have won best actor best supporting actor and best picture
Galygal77 10 months ago
@Galygal77 That's too bad.. but the rest is good :3
KittyKazooTV 10 months ago
David Lynch = Greatest director EVER
Radiohead17321 11 months ago
@Radiohead17321 and ever and ever. wonder if he ever saw the play with bowie as john m.? my two favorite davids.
dullath 10 months ago
wait whose that ladu that was attacked by an elephent im confused
tobi3098 11 months ago
didnt the elephant step on the mom while she was preg
benamy02 1 year ago
@benamy02 There was a travelling fair,which included elephants,which passed through Leicester each year.It seems she was agitated either by the animals,or perhaps by the huge crowds.So there is some truth to it, &it just became the ''story'' attached to him during his own days working the fairs.Joseph was bewildered by his disease, and brought up on ''old wives tales''.Yet, he was an intelligent man also, even as he clung to this ridiculous reason for his terrible deformity.
MrsJosephMerrick 1 year ago
Though this movie is one of the saddest movie ever made, it goes to show you that we are all different, no matter what the disability or disease...the important thing is we all have a soul, like John Merick...he was a sweet, sweet man and no one ever gave him the chance to show it. Teaches us to think twice before going off on how different a person is.
JeniBurton213 1 year ago 2
The one person who disliked this was David Lynch.
Ashloomis 1 year ago
I can't watch this film without completly breaking down, its the saddest movie ever made.
MyArkhamHorror 1 year ago 2
idk , i think i like die hard more
boredandwise 1 year ago
oh my god. was that elephant raping her?
joshplayin111 1 year ago
who plays the elephant man? and what year was this movie made in?
123victoriamarie 1 year ago
@123victoriamarie John Hurt played Joseph Merrick(in the film incorrectly called ''John''). The film was made in 1980.
MrsJosephMerrick 1 year ago
well.......im only watching this movie cuz my biology teacher said it wuz for extra credit so.....hope its good
kim12people 1 year ago
Is that opening scene implying that his mother was raped by an elephant? Somehow I find that rather... improbable... :P
AngelKay7 1 year ago
@AngelKay7 ...attacked, not raped. there is some, but very little validity to the story. but it's what john believed happened.
Diannakw 1 year ago
@Diannakw raped?!!! and this movie is scary...is it true?
princess4life49 1 year ago
@princess4life49 ...of course NOT raped. elephants don't "rape" people... the rumour was that merriks mother was attacked by an elephant while pregnant with him, and that's why he was born with this disease. that's what he himself believed. of course, we now know that's impossible and total B.S.
Diannakw 1 year ago 3
The film is raw, frustrating, cruel, challenging, and BRILLIANT in every way. One of the greatest works I have ever seen. I do remember that I wasn't worth a DAMN for the 2-3 days that followed.... Incredible work by Sir Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt, and of course, the one and only David Lynch.
raiderdanCA 1 year ago
That carnival music reminds me of the shop music from Final Fantasy 1 on the NES.
kucoru16 1 year ago
What happened is that he suffered from a terrible disease called neurofibromotosis. it produced tumors all over his body. The story about his mother being raped by an elelphant or ran over by an elelphant is purely fictional. this is the story Bytes, the elephantmans gaurdian would tell people who came to see the show. It was just a made up story to explain why he looked the way he did. This is What I think it was. my opinion.
veeseee128 1 year ago
the elephant raped that woman??? that is kind of ridiculous, they went to far in that one.
lagransuerte 1 year ago
@lagransuerte the elephant didn't rape the woman
kilija383 1 year ago
@kilija383 sorry i just did not understand, what happened to him? why was he deformed
lagransuerte 1 year ago
@lagransuerte They only say that he's "severely deformed" If you want to know the real story type in The Elephant Man (film) and then read
The Elephant Man (film) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
hjb103055 1 year ago
this movie is sad
lagransuerte 1 year ago
this movie is sad
lagransuerte 1 year ago
The music is so sad and haunting.
veeseee128 1 year ago 2
Great movie.
One of lynch's best
setpunk12 1 year ago
what year was this made? Please tell
airhawkchikyu 1 year ago
@airhawkchikyu
Imdb is your friend
theyankeeracers 1 year ago
@airhawkchikyu 1980's, but it looks like the 1930's because thats the time that he lived. (john merrick, the real elephant man)
PumpItUpChick09 1 year ago
@PumpItUpChick09 Joseph Merrick was born in 1862, and died in 1890.
MrsJosephMerrick 1 year ago
so did the woman freak out when she saw elephents or did the elephents trample her causing defomity to the baby. the beggining is kinda confusing and has freaky sounds. shat was the woman doing and screaming for? aahh! im so confused.
hunterjumper9799 1 year ago
Anthony Hopkins! <3
hj351 1 year ago
A Brooksfilm Production?
Mel Brooks?
Hanniyousuf43 1 year ago
@Hanniyousuf43 Yep. He didn't want to think "Oh, Mel Brooks, it's a comedy," so he founded Brooksfilms to be able to produce the movie.
KrustyFrank27 1 year ago
thanks for uploading :)
MythicDude 1 year ago
how did he get deformed??? did his mother do something or is it just genetics???
Pyremnmz 1 year ago
@Pyremnmz He had neurofibromatosis and Proteus symtom combined - as far as reseachers have determined from his remains. He was born as a perfect beautiful baby, the disease only began to show itself when he was about 3 years old - his mother noticed a lump on his lower lip, other symtoms - and the films depiction of her is very wrong, which I am always anxious to point out. She loved him very much, and in his short autobiography Joseph says how much he missed her (she died when he was 11).
MrsJosephMerrick 1 year ago
I think that kids should have to watch this in jr. high. Required viewing.
rasantius 1 year ago
Thank you for uploading such a beautiful and moving movie!
MichaelMorbius4ever 1 year ago
how in the hell do i get this movie and they discontiued on dvd and this was a great movie i cried all day when i watched movie
matthewinnj08 1 year ago
Anthony Hopkins deserves a lifetime achievement award...seriously.Why doesn't he already have one?
chewby1333 1 year ago
how old is anthony hopkins? He was in this?
Battlescar2 1 year ago
@Battlescar2 i think around 40'ish
itsmister2u 1 year ago
go to breakwithjake
TheMrlizandro 1 year ago
Gemmma its in the script what his dear deceased Mother said to him about now you are free, in the stars...my lovely son...like that...look for it...
Jeff
repelghosts 1 year ago
Did they discontinue this movie
leboharold 1 year ago
im doing a research project on him
hatsunemiku444 1 year ago
I love Anthony Hopkins in this
BraveClarice 1 year ago
whait, so, and elephant got a women pregnant? please explain
rockpaperscissorhand 1 year ago
Lol, not exactly. It was generally thought that Joseph Carey Merrick (the elephant man) got his deformities because his mother received a shock from being scared by an elephant while pregnant with him.
CaraBear1 1 year ago
well thats confusing. it looked like a elephant raped her
rockpaperscissorhand 1 year ago
@rockpaperscissorhand That's probably just the story the people in charge of the "Freak Shows" told to make it sound cooler.
KMxHearts 1 year ago
@KMxHearts yah but in the begining it lokked that way too. women lying on the floor screaming, elaphants charging
rockpaperscissorhand 1 year ago
i'm confused.... That woman was raped by an elephant?
Boobalopbop 1 year ago 2
hahahahaahahasldkfjds
weeinersauce 1 year ago
@Boobalopbop go fuck yourself. its not funny. and no she wasnt raped by an elephant.
PvtGaryRoach 1 year ago
@PvtGaryRoach Eww... Relax. I was seriously asking what was the deal with that scene. We just see elephants and this woman looking like she's being like... Raped. Is that what was being suggested?
Boobalopbop 1 year ago
@Boobalopbop
Back in the day it was thought that if a pregnant woman was traumatized by frightening events the fetus would be affected by what affected the expectant mother.
Lame isnt it.
Hence
Hanniyousuf43 1 year ago
@Hanniyousuf43 So is she being tampled? I just don't get it? Is there a book? Maybe the book explains.
Boobalopbop 1 year ago
@Boobalopbop no, in reality, she was at a circus when she was about sixth months pregnant and she got knocked over and scared shitless by one of the elephants. she wasn't trampled, she certainly wasn't raped. (-rolls eyes-)
garfunkelgrl 1 year ago
@Boobalopbop his mother was allegedly startled by an elephant, back in the day people believed a woman's emotions during pregnancy could have adverse effects on the soon to be born child
BirthOfSerpents 5 months ago
I remember being scared to death of this movie as a kid. I'm not sure if it's the special effects or the music. Great movie though...sad!
JeniBurton213 1 year ago
the best movie ever. I whatched this in my sience class as an case study
Marika50 1 year ago
I shave and use deoderant
who am I?
countflaming 1 year ago
PERDON, PERO NO ENTENDI? EL ELEFANTE QUE LE HIZO A LA SENORA? :o
blissgirl9 1 year ago
5/5
XYZSHIBBY 1 year ago
I love this movie. For some reason it reminds me of the movie "Mask" with cher....I wish ppl would learn to see beauty beyond the eyes!
MSREALHIPHOP101 2 years ago 8
@MSREALHIPHOP101 Well, I do. My Uncle has been living with a disease similar to this one, and he's the coolest guy. It never detracted from his handsomeness, inside or outside.
brightbite 1 year ago
@MSREALHIPHOP101 Mask was a loose adaption of this film. This film was actually closer to the true story of John Merrick...
usnate1 6 months ago
Exactly so. I admire your comment. And he was all the same a beautiful man in every single way.
MrsJosephMerrick 2 years ago 5
I've always said that every child should be required to watch this movie in elementary school. Thanks 4 posting it.
Rumblestilskinyt 2 years ago 2
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Rumblestilskinyt 2 years ago
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MrsJosephMerrick 2 years ago
oggla
RedwoodUnion 2 years ago
How did this not win any awards at the Oscars?! It's possibly one of the greatest movies ever made. It's got everything film today lacks! John Hurt and Anthony Hopkins were fantastic in this movie!
balrog13571 2 years ago 24
dear balrog, i agree with you of course. And I'm actually annoyed to say that we know why - because it was English actors etc. de Niro was already sighted as Best Actor...It an understatement to say it was unfair. Its always the same I feel, Its never the BEST who win.
Its a shame. Such a wonderful film.
MrsJosephMerrick 2 years ago 2
Agreed.
balrog13571 2 years ago
@ balrog13571
because oscars suck and they are biased and controlled by their own money media .
mjZstargirl 2 years ago
@mjZstargirl damn right!
cyclos12 2 years ago
@balrog13571 because its too old i think...
rYaN110893 1 year ago
I meant at the Oscar awards at the time it was released so it has nothign to do with age. Besides it's only been around 30 years. That's not terribly old anyway nor does it deter from it's quality. It's black and white to enhance the make-up's realism and add more mood.
balrog13571 1 year ago
@balrog13571 Because people are morons sometimes.
Excellent film.
mrceebees14 1 year ago
@mrceebees14 Because people think that retarded ass movies like avatar and the twilight saga are better then the actual art of film.
chewby1333 1 year ago
@chewby1333 Never liked Twilight, but Avatar I thought was a great movie.
mrceebees14 1 year ago
@balrog13571 Because Hollywood hate ugly people
they are that shallo
Tacom4ster 1 year ago
@balrog13571 omg i thought that too im like wtf the elephant is like raping dat women!
UnpredictableLady17 1 year ago
@balrog13571 I know what you mean. They don't make movies like this nowadays! Wish they did :)
JeniBurton213 9 months ago
@balrog13571 The makeup category was made because of this film.
GroovieBuff 9 months ago
lynch gives me the creeps
dreed1984 2 years ago
WTF
SmokenxKush 2 years ago
one of the most challenging films i have ever seen. it shows the cruel and barbaric nature of mankind yet shows the triumph of an individual human spirit.
ccc771 2 years ago 22
i wanted to rate the video but you had 111 rates and i didn't want to break this number xD anyway, i would rate it with 5 stars ^^
TantiNina 2 years ago
123 ratings, you can rate now
BraedenX 2 years ago
I saw an elephant man when I rode the bus a month ago. And I was inspired. It fills me with good spirits to see somebody so disfigured be so nice and kind to everyone else.
It's fuckin admirable how these people have found the will to not kill themselves. It gives me such strength to keep moving forward when times get tough.
drunkdonutboy 2 years ago
did the women get raped by the elephant ?y that elephant man look like that
mjlover4003 2 years ago
in the begining is she being raped by an elephant?
can some one plaese explain whats going on to me?
ajaee1993 2 years ago 3
lol of course not. It s just a metaphor
SuperLuckybastard 2 years ago
How??? How could someone be raped by an elephant?
leathertuskadero 2 years ago 2
thats what i was wondering
because she was screamin
and all but thanks
ajaee1993 2 years ago
Wow, you must be a fucking idiot!
leathertuskadero 2 years ago
I don't think she was actually raped by an elephant! In those days the owners of the freak shows made up stories about their 'freaks' to add a bit of interest, and the more shocking the better.
BBblue87 2 years ago 2
i know that, i'm not an idiot, i was being sarcastic!
leathertuskadero 2 years ago
Sorry, a couple of people had asked a similar question below so i thought i'd put my two cents in and just happened to reply to yours as it was the most recent.
BBblue87 2 years ago
It was not just ''a story''. This opening scene was based on the fact that his mother was knocked over in the crowd of people (while carrying Joseph) watching a parade of elephants going through Leciester, as part of a fair or something like that which passed through the town every year. I always find the crying baby during the clouds very sad .
MrsJosephMerrick 2 years ago
well, Im sure it is a great film, but you cant forget- this movie has a lot of false material in it. Merrick volunteered to work in the sideshow, he wasn't forced. Its about the only work he could get with the way he was back then. A lot of false drama was added, in order to make the movie more emotional.
Ryotaichido 2 years ago 2
A fantastic and sensitive movie that, sadly, is only available in used copies. Thank you for upoloading this film.
KalElohim 2 years ago
It wasn't just his badly deformed head, these lumps, bumps and boils covered his whole body. The only parts of his body that looked 'normal' were his right arm and his genitals. Have a look at the real photographs of him. This man was ridiculed by everyone for the way he looked, 120 years later nothing has changed has it.
deanlaing1 2 years ago
if your going to try and be smart at least get the info right. it was his left arm and genitals that were normal.
JeemyOfOz 2 years ago
This condition is called neurofibromatosis. Joseph Carey Merrick was his real name, and he was born in Leicester. This man stayed in the workhouses of victorain England from time to time during his life. He also worked as a door to door salesman. As for the freak shows as this film depicts, were not against his will, he actually volunteered. It was one of the only ways Joseph could make a living during his short 27 year life.
deanlaing1 2 years ago
and his disease was Proteus syndrome for sure, possibly coupled with neurofibromatosis
JeemyOfOz 2 years ago
Apart from anything else, he was so brave. He wanted to be independent and earn his own keep, even as he was turned away door to door when they knew it was him. Poor soul, but I admire him greatly, his spirit doesnt make me sad. He is a hero, and and a true Angel in Heaven.
MrsJosephMerrick 2 years ago 2
the start scares the absolute hell outta me :(
mxisalife 2 years ago 2
i know,disturbingg,we're doing this for english and we had to analyse the start,we had to watch it about 5/6 times :L
pinktopaz1994 2 years ago
john merrick was from leicester. why would his mum be struck by a elephant?
frenchielcfc 2 years ago
His name was Joseph. And there were regular circus/freak shows passing through the area.
CaptainChevalle 2 years ago
i know his name you idiot. thats bollocks though that part of leicester where hes from was slums back then. im from leicester.
frenchielcfc 2 years ago
Idiot? I specialise in Fin de Siecle studies, philistine.
CaptainChevalle 2 years ago
you can specialise in what you like. my point is there was no elephants here back then. how can you get a elephant to leicester back then? and no one in the slums where john merrick lived could afford to waste money on looking at elephants. this film isnt based of proof or facts its just a movie.
frenchielcfc 2 years ago
Joseph Merrick himself said all this about the elephants and his mother, not me. More modern research now suggests the deformities were due to Proteus syndrome. This film is, as it is based in the man's own time, founded only in what Merrick said.
CaptainChevalle 2 years ago
i think it was just speculation. at the time, people believed thats how he got deformed. i could be wrong though.
megswitz 2 years ago
becuase its a freak show and his names the elaphant man? ofcourse his mother wasnet actually struck by an elephant, his freakshow name is the elaphant man soooo ye
Bladerunner861 2 years ago
I just really want to cry everytime I see this movie. It reminds me that "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"
Jdog12131415 2 years ago 5
the elephant struck the mother down when she was pregnant and the blow deformed the baby. she wasn't raped or scared or anything (well, she was scared, but thats not why John Merrick - The Elephant Man - is deformed).
NickChaChingas 2 years ago