The Elephant Man (DVD)

(Sorry for the flippant title - couldn't resist)

INTRODUCTORY DETAILS

Direction.. ..David Lynch
Genre... ..Drama
Rating.. ..PG (fair)
Format.. ..Widescreen, Black and White
Production.. ..1980
Length.. ..118 minutes

'John Merrick'.. ..John Hurt
'Dr Frederick Treves'.. ..Anthony Hopkins


SYNOPSIS

With a screenplay adapted from ...
...Elephant Man' takes up the story of John Merrick in his adulthood. An exhibit in a Victorian freak show, the unfortunate Merrick is exposed to horrified and predominantly unsympathetic audiences by his sadistic employer. A Dr Treves witnesses Merrick in all his shame at one such viewing. Shortly after this first encounter, Treves is called to examine 'the freak' after he has taken a savage beating at the hands of the showman. So the story is set ... more

(Sorry for the flippant title - couldn't resist)

INTRODUCTORY DETAILS

Direction.. ..David Lynch
Genre... ..Drama
Rating.. ..PG (fair)
Format.. ..Widescreen, Black and White
Production.. ..1980
Length.. ..118 minutes

'John Merrick'.. ..John Hurt
'Dr Frederick Treves'.. ..Anthony Hopkins

SYNOPSIS

With a screenplay adapted from the books by Dr Frederick Treves and Ashley Montague, 'The Elephant Man' takes up the story of John Merrick in his adulthood. An exhibit in a Victorian freak show, the unfortunate Merrick is exposed to horrified and predominantly unsympathetic audiences by his sadistic employer. A Dr Treves witnesses Merrick in all his shame at one such viewing. Shortly after this first encounter, Treves is called to examine 'the freak' after he has taken a savage beating at the hands of the showman. So the story is set for the main theme of the film as from here on Merrick is taken under Treves' wing and housed in private lodgings at the hospital where the latter is a respected physician.

Lynch's film follows Merrick's life as Treves attempts to help 'the elephant man' both with his medical condition and by introducing him to polite society. Thus a moving story comprised of both joy and sadness unfolds on screen. To say more would be to spoil the effect of the film as this is a production whose greatest power lies in the impact of the first viewing.

However honourable, has Treves actually changed society's perceptions of Merrick as a novelty and to what extent was he trying to help Merrick whilst unconsciously satisfying his own scientific curiosity?

OPINION

This is arguably David Lynch's finest film though he is possibly best known for the cult hit 'Blue Velvet' (1986), and do not be put off if, like myself, you think another of his titles 'Dune' (1984) is one of the worst films ever made.

Lynch's approach here is to create a very sombre feel to this film. This is accentuated most obviously by the use of black and white, which slightly subdues even the more uplifting moments. Furthermore, the film inevitably looks very dated and on first viewing the audience would assume that this is a piece from the 30's or 40's. This impression is reinforced with the setting being Victorian England as opposed to the contemporay. This could be interpreted as a criticism but that is not entirely the case. This is a sad and moving story and the decision to shoot in black and white does not diminish how this tale unfolds. On the contrary, with the forgettable but suitably apllied soundtrack, this approach makes 'The Elephant Man' all the more atmospheric, to the extent that in certain passages it has echoes of a horror which is not entirely inappropriate. I know that when watching this as a youngster, I was pretty alarmed by the film (whether that is partly down to the skill of the director or that I was just an utter jessie as a child, I do not know). I can only assume that this is a deliberate ploy orchestrated by Lynch and the fact that we are transformed from instinctive repulsion to pity and empathy for Merrick is a triumph for which the director should be applauded. If the viewer is not engaged in any manner, then I imagine that this is a film they would find very boring, particularly at just under 2 hours length.

It would be understandable to praise Hurt's performance but without meaning to belittle his achievements here, it is almost inevitable for his performance to be notable when you consider the character he is playing. The physical transformation, which is very close to the real Merrick if you look at photos of the man, surely does half the work for the actor though there is no doubt that Hurt's performance is very good. Hurt plays Merrick with a very gentle, almost effeminate voice and, without meaning to be crass, to look like that and still evoke warmth and sympathy, is as much a testament to Hurt as the screenplay and direction. However, Hopkins is the real star of this film.

As an actor, Hopkins has been in some absolutely woeful films but given the right script he has a great presence on screen, and this is one of his best performances in front of the camera. He conveys a man of genuine compassion, but one who questions whether his motives for helping Merrick were entirely founded in that of a good samaritan or whether his fascination as a physician was as much a factor whilst who is really benefitting from his actions at the end of the day? Most importantly to the role, Hopkins performs in a very understated way so that while he is entirely credible as a figure of standing, he never monopolises the screen and his weaker moments of indecision and remorse are convincing. He is perfectly cast. With subordinate roles filled by Sir John Gielgud and Anne Bancroft, the acting is a strength, only slightly diminished by some marginally over the top cameos by the likes of Michael Elphick.

'The Elephant Man' is a film that you will either admire or dilike. It is hard to actually enjoy the film, even if you think it is a production of quality, because it is relatively uncomfortable viewing. This is not down to the direction or acting but the story itself. No one can justifiably be blamed for this as of course as this is an adaptation of a true story. Although certain liberties seem to have been taken with the story to be used as dramtic devices, this was never going to be a truly exciting or uplifting presentation, but it is emotionally stimulating. The strength of the film lies not in action but interaction between Merrick and those around him. I doubt in the hypocrisy of much of today's overt political correctness, Merrick would be viewed with more understanding and sensitivity. Personally, I think that with an increasing desire to shock an apathetic audience today he would either be featured on Channel Five or paraded as the winner of Big Brother.

SUMMARY

This is a very good film and apart from the time as a youngster, the biggest impact on me was when I bought this last year on dvd and saw itwith fresh eyes. Having watched it again I still think it is a very good film but my attention was not held as on the previous occasion. As such 'The Elephant Man' is not a dvd that you will want to view repeatedly, as it is hard to envisage many people saying 'I've got an hour to kill..I know I'll watch 'The Elephant Man'.

I would therefore recommend borrowing or renting this, as this film deserves to be seen at least once, I just question the shelf life if purchased.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Language selection English (stereo), Italian and Spanish (both mono)
Scene selection
Photo Gallery

This is one of those dvd's where it is a crying shame that there is no documentary regarding Merrick's life or the making of the film. Either, though preferably both, would have made this a more complete dvd package.

MERRICK

As the special features are sparse and therefore shed little light on the background to the film, the following is a short biography that will hopefully help with regard to viewing this dvd.

Sometimes refered to as John (in Dr Treves memoirs) and sometimes as Joseph, Merrick was born in 1862. Although there is speculation as regard to the exact nature of his condition (neurofibromatosis, elephantitis or Proteus Syndrome), it is documented that the deformities appeared from the age of two. An average child in all other respects, Merrick's world collapsed when his mother died and his father took a new partner, a woman who refused to house the increasingly unwell boy and by his teens he was fending for himself. From temporary lodging at the Leicester workhouse, Merrick moved to the streets.

Despite a documented intelligence and pleasant character, attempts to earn money through traditional means were unsuccessful because of illness and his increasingly shocking appearance. Put simply, the need to survive and make the most of his handicap led Merrick to a living as a sideshow 'freak' and occasional specimen for medical conferences. Exploited by some more unscrupulous showmen, Merrick found himself penniless and in very poor health, only to be 'saved' by Dr Treves who housed the unfortunate man in Whitechapel Hospital. It seems to be universally agreed that Treves was an admirable man, whose intentions were honourable though opinion differs as to whether he was inadvertantly that much better than some of Merrick's previous employers in his wisdom to expose poor Merrick to his medical classes.

What does seem certain is that the two were friends and were inextricably linked until Merrick's death on April 11th, 1890. The cause of his death was attributed to asphyxiation, though whether it was accidental due to his condition, suicide or assisted suicide has never been established.

Joseph Merrick's skeleton is housed at the Royal London Hospital, where in 1996 Dr Amita Sharma was able to establish that his disease was in fact Proteus Syndrome.

AVAILABILITY

Play.com £6.99 (no postage and packing)

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