The Elephant Man

In Victorian England, London surgeon Dr. Frederick Treves discovers a severely disfigured man in a traveling circus - John Merrick, cruelly dubbed The Elephant Man due to his extreme deformities. Exploited and mistreated by his owner, Bytes, Merrick is displayed as a sideshow attraction, met with horror and ridicule by the public. Moved by his suffering, Treves rescues him and brings him to the London Hospital. At first seen as little more than a medical curiosity, Merrick gradually reveals his keen intellect, deep sensitivity, and profound yearning for dignity. As he earns the respect and compassion of select members of high society, he continues to face the cruelty and rejection of the outside world. Trapped in a body that isolates him, Merrick’s struggle for acceptance is both heartbreaking and inspiring - his deepest wish, simply to be recognised as human.

A few weeks after David Lynch's passing, The Elephant Man stands as a testament to his masterful, understated direction and stunning black-and-white cinematography, heightening the film's haunting beauty. John Hurt delivers an unforgettable performance in this deeply moving exploration of humanity, compassion, and the harsh judgment of appearances, challenging the way we perceive difference.

Thibault Ramet (Lettres, UNIL)