The Elephant Man
A true story of courage and human dignity.
Country
Production
Budget
$5 000 000
Box office
$26 053 517
Director
Actors
Scenario
Producer
Camera operator
Composer
Artist
Audition
Maggie Cartier
Editing
Short description
A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man being mistreated by his "owner" as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous façade, there is revealed a person of great intelligence and sensitivity. Based on the true story of Joseph Merrick (called John Merrick in the film), a severely deformed man in 19th century London.
What's left behind the scenes
- In the episode where John is pursued by an angry mob, David Lynch can be spotted among the extras descending after the hero into the underpass.
- The Elephant Man's real name was Joseph, not John, as written in Treves' book. The reason for the name change remains unknown.
- John Hurt's makeup was created based on a preserved body of Joseph Merrick kept at the Royal London Hospital. Applying the makeup took 12 hours each day.
- Doctors still debate the nature of Joseph Merrick's disfigurement. Most scientists believe he suffered from Proteus syndrome, which causes abnormal growth of the head, bones, and skin. However, it's possible that Merrick was affected by neurofibromatosis—a very rare disease that can also cause bone deformation and the growth of benign tumors.
- Producer Mel Brooks, primarily known as a comedy director, deliberately removed his name from the credits to avoid giving viewers the wrong impression of the film.
- The film is based on Frederick Treves' book "The Elephant Man" and, in part, on Ashley Montagu's "The Elephant Man: A Study in Human Dignity".
- In the scene where John is pursued by an angry mob, David Lynch can be spotted among the extras descending after the hero into the underground passage.
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Auditions in India
Casting calls in USA
Castingi w Polsce
Кастинги в Україні
