Elephantman Review

Elephant man review

This film is based on a true story that tells the happenings of John Merrick played by the actor John Hurt, a hideously deformed human being who is being exploited by a showman called Bytes played by the British actor Freddie Jones as an exhibit from which he makes a living. The feature is famously tear jerking experience.

This film has many suggestions as to how those who may not be attractive are treated in a derogatory way because of their own physical appearance. It also puts an insight to what it means to be a human being, seeing as there is nothing ugly about this man except for his exterior visage. The film explains Merrick’s appearance to be the result of his mother being trampled by elephants while he was still in the womb, a gruesome thought and sight.

Elephant man review

This film is based on a true story that tells the happenings of John Merrick played by the actor John Hurt, a hideously deformed human being who is being exploited by a showman called Bytes played by the British actor Freddie Jones as an exhibit from which he makes a living. The feature is famously tear jerking experience.

This film has many suggestions as to how those who may not be attractive are treated in a derogatory way because of their own physical appearance. It also puts an insight to what it means to be a human being, seeing as there is nothing ugly about this man except for his exterior visage. The film explains Merrick’s appearance to be the result of his mother being trampled by elephants while he was still in the womb, a gruesome thought and sight.

The make up in the film looks incredibly convincing seeing as John hurt has been completely disguised and is utterly unrecognizable.” It can't be easy to act under such a heavy mask.” Vincent Canby, The interpretation for Merrick’s personality was also a key focus. Trying empathise with some someone that has a completely different life style above all else is a difficult task and the skill of acting has to be appreciated. The film its self was big risk seeing as it was premiered in the 1980’s the use of vibrant colour has been used for close to forty years, although the fact that it is in black white emphasises the importance of the content and the message and not what it looks like similar to the story of the main character John Merrick.

When Merrick is in the hospital recovering from his bronchitis he is teased a bullied suggesting that humans can be ugly creature in themselves. “As the movie unspools, our sympathy for Merrick grows” Alan Paterson, Blu-ray review. Human nature is genuinely care for one another when the hardships of another person are seen, especially one who does not deserve such treatment. When the famous actress meets Merrick she sees he is a gentle and intelligent being. This is a good example of human nature, which is what the film mainly about.
The film was not appealing to my interest but it is a must see because of the intense method of the way message is given to the viewer.