Have you see this film?

What did you think about it?

I am quite Fascinated by this film. Based on a true story but kind of stretched a little as most of them are. Just the way the industry works I guess.

The story about Mr Merrick who actually died in a Whitechappel hospital. Apparently his skeleton is still preserved there although the public cannot view.

Remind me, it that the one with Cher in it who plays the mom or am I thinking of another film?

Originally posted by "John"

Remind me, it that the one with Cher in it who plays the mom or am I thinking of another film?

No, I think the one your talking about is Mask with Cher in.

I've seen it - top quality film. But then anything with Anthony Hopkins and John Hurt in it is gonna be quality. Have you read any of the books written about John Merrick? There is a decent one called "The Elephant Man and other freaks" - forgotten who its by, but I'll dig it out in the morning and post the authors name on here. :)

Originally posted by "luke_owl"

I've seen it - top quality film. But then anything with Anthony Hopkins and John Hurt in it is gonna be quality. Have you read any of the books written about John Merrick? There is a decent one called "The Elephant Man and other freaks" - forgotten who its by, but I'll dig it out in the morning and post the authors name on here. :)

I'd appreciate that. I don't think that I have read that particular book.

Ok, the author of that book is - G.R Seward.

Here is a movie review for anyone who has not seen the film but may be interested in knowing what to expect:

"Dr. Frederick Treves (Anthony Hopkins), a surgeon, first sees John Merrick (John Hurt) in 1884 on exhibit in a show managed by Bytes (Freddie Jones). The doctor borrows the elephant man, as he is called, for a lecture delivered before the London Pathological Society. Merrick's affliction is a disfiguring tumor disease characterized by cauliflower-like growths on his skin and a misshapen head with a mass of bony lumps.

Later, after his "owner" beats him, the Elephant Man is given shelter in the London Hospital. Once Treves learns that his patient is able to read and has a mind of his own, he convinces Mr. Gomm (Sir John Gielgud), the chairman of the institution's board, to give Merrick care.

During his stay, Merrick is befriended by Treves and his wife (Hannah Gordon), the head matron (Dame Wendy Hiller), a young nurse (Lesley Dunlop), and Mrs. Kendal (Anne Bancroft), a well-known actress and socialite. And despite his persecution by a porter (Michael Elphick) and abuse once again by Bytes, Merrick finds a sense of peace and fulfillment in his last days before accidental death by asphyxiation in 1890.

David Lynch (Blue Velvet) directs this drama based on the actual case history of the nineteenth-century Englishman John Merrick. Literary critic Leslie Fiedler maintains that freaks (as he calls them) stir "both supernatural terror and natural sympathies" because they "challenge conventional boundaries between male and female, sexed and sexless, animal and human, large and small, self and other." In this very interesting and moving film, we are challenged to clarify our values in regard to "very special people" (a term which should replace the freak epithet). We are also invited to examine the complex nuances of benevolence and the potential of the human spirit to transcend genetic impairments.

The DVD version of The Elephant Man contains new, retrospective cast and crew interviews along with the theatrical trailer."

[Edit: Please don't use bold extensively - Sidla]

I love the famous line -
"I'm not an animal I'm a human being! And my name is John McRirrick"! :hihi:

I remember seeing the film at the old ABC 1 on Angel Street. There projectionist team had a bad batch of carbon rods for the projectors. Every now and then the picture would fade out to a sepia tinge. (The film was black and white).

A wonderful film.

I did hear that Mel Brooks thought about doing a musical version of it, but couldn't get clearance to use the number "Put on a Happy Face".

that film is seriously one of the saddest i've seen,particularly because it's based on fact.i just remember the ending so vividly when he basically commits suicide by lying flat on his bed ,knowing he won't be able to breathe.i just cry at the thought of it!it's one of those films that i can't bear to watch more than once.it's just tooooooo painful!:cry: