During the year 1884, a physician portrayed by Anthony Hopkins encounters Joseph Merrick, also known as The Elephant Man—though incorrectly identified as John Merrick within the film's narrative—who is being taken advantage of as a sideshow attraction. Dr. Treves (Hopkins) attempts to assist Merrick (John Hurt) throughout the final six years of his life, during which time he develops refinement and sophistication; however, he continues to be regarded with curiosity by both upper-class and lower-class segments of society. Anne Bancroft takes on the role of an appealing performer who shows kindness toward Merrick. David Lynch’s direction and the film's black-and-white cinematography contribute to the somber tone of “The Elephant Man” (1980), a biographical movie that is, understandably, melancholic. Despite prompting feelings of sadness, Merrick’s story warrants viewing. The film raises questions about what constitutes beauty: some are born with physical appeal without any effort on their part, and others are born with physical flaws; then there's the matter of inner beauty. Bancroft’s character embodies both qualities, while another individual—a carnival promoter—demonstrates ugliness within. A story arose claiming Merrick’s deformities resulted from his mother being assaulted by an elephant, likely originating from those who promoted the sideshow. The beginning of the film presents this tale in a stylized way, but it shouldn't be interpreted literally, which is why that sequence feels dreamlike. In contrast, scenes depicting factory conditions—including dangerous machinery and pipes—offer a glimpse into the realities faced by laborers during the Victorian era. The musical score composed by John Morris deserves recognition; one particular piece was later used in “Platoon” (1986), notably accompanying Elias’ dramatic death scene. The movie has a running time of 2 hours and 4 minutes, and all filming took place in London and Shepperton Studios, located just to the west of the city. GRADE: B

Source on TMDB