# The Elephant Man

> 1980 film by David Lynch

**Wikidata**: [Q272860](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q272860)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Elephant_Man_(1980_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-elephant-man

## Summary
*The Elephant Man* is a 1980 biographical drama film directed by David Lynch, based on the life of Joseph Merrick, a severely disfigured man in 19th-century London. The film is renowned for its sensitive portrayal of Merrick's humanity and its striking black-and-white cinematography, earning critical acclaim and multiple awards, including the César Award for Best Foreign Film and recognition from the National Board of Review.

## Key Facts
- **Title**: *The Elephant Man*
- **Director**: David Lynch
- **Release Dates**:
  - October 3, 1980 (premiere)
  - October 10, 1980 (general release)
  - February 13, 1981 (U.S. release)
- **Genre**: Biographical drama, drama film
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Production Company**: Brooksfilms
- **Runtime**: 124 minutes
- **Budget**: $5,000,000 (estimated)
- **Box Office**: $26,010,864 (domestic gross)
- **Awards**:
  - César Award for Best Foreign Film (1981)
  - National Board of Review: Top Ten Films (1980)
  - Academy Award for Best Makeup (nomination)
- **IMDb Rating**: 8.5/10
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 92%
- **Metacritic Score**: 78/100
- **Wikidata ID**: Q11424
- **IMDb ID**: tt0080678
- **Library of Congress Control Number**: no2003029954
- **Sitelink Count**: 54 (Wikipedia language editions)
- **Wikipedia Title**: *The Elephant Man (1980 film)*

## FAQs
**What is *The Elephant Man* about?**
*The Elephant Man* is a biographical drama film that tells the story of Joseph Merrick, a severely disfigured man in Victorian-era London who is rescued from a freak show by a compassionate surgeon, Dr. Frederick Treves. The film explores themes of humanity, dignity, and societal prejudice.

**Who directed *The Elephant Man*?**
The film was directed by David Lynch, an American filmmaker known for his surreal and psychological style. Lynch's direction in *The Elephant Man* is noted for its emotional depth and striking visual presentation.

**What awards did *The Elephant Man* win?**
The film won the César Award for Best Foreign Film in 1981 and was included in the National Board of Review's Top Ten Films list for 1980. It also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Makeup.

**When was *The Elephant Man* released?**
*The Elephant Man* premiered on October 3, 1980, and had a general release on October 10, 1980. It was released in the United States on February 13, 1981.

**What is the significance of *The Elephant Man* in cinema?**
The film is significant for its sensitive portrayal of a disfigured individual and its exploration of themes like compassion, isolation, and societal norms. It is also notable for its black-and-white cinematography, which enhances its emotional impact.

## Why It Matters
*The Elephant Man* matters because it challenges societal perceptions of beauty and humanity. By focusing on the life of Joseph Merrick, the film highlights the importance of empathy and dignity, making it a powerful commentary on how society treats those who are different. Its critical acclaim and awards underscore its artistic and cultural significance, while its themes remain relevant in discussions about disability, acceptance, and human rights.

## Notable For
- **Critical Acclaim**: Recognized as one of the best films of 1980, with high ratings on platforms like IMDb (8.5/10) and Rotten Tomatoes (92%).
- **Award-Winning**: Winner of the César Award for Best Foreign Film and included in the National Board of Review's Top Ten Films list.
- **David Lynch's Direction**: Showcases Lynch's ability to blend emotional depth with striking visual storytelling.
- **Historical Significance**: Based on the true story of Joseph Merrick, making it a significant biographical drama.
- **Cinematography**: Notable for its black-and-white presentation, which enhances the film's emotional and historical atmosphere.
- **Cultural Impact**: The film has influenced discussions about disability, societal prejudice, and the importance of compassion.

## Body

### Overview
*The Elephant Man* is a 1980 biographical drama film directed by David Lynch. The film is based on the life of Joseph Merrick, a man with severe physical deformities who lived in 19th-century London. The story follows Merrick's journey from being exhibited as a freak show attraction to finding dignity and compassion under the care of Dr. Frederick Treves.

### Production and Release
- **Director**: David Lynch
- **Production Company**: Brooksfilms
- **Release Dates**:
  - October 3, 1980 (premiere)
  - October 10, 1980 (general release)
  - February 13, 1981 (U.S. release)
- **Runtime**: 124 minutes
- **Budget**: Estimated at $5,000,000
- **Box Office**: Domestic gross of $26,010,864

### Awards and Recognition
- **César Award for Best Foreign Film** (1981)
- **National Board of Review: Top Ten Films** (1980)
- **Academy Award Nomination for Best Makeup**
- **IMDb Rating**: 8.5/10
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 92%
- **Metacritic Score**: 78/100

### Themes and Style
The film explores themes of humanity, dignity, and societal prejudice. It is noted for its sensitive portrayal of Merrick's life and its striking black-and-white cinematography, which enhances the emotional depth and historical setting of the story.

### Cultural and Historical Significance
*The Elephant Man* is significant for its portrayal of a disfigured individual and its commentary on societal norms and compassion. The film has influenced discussions about disability, acceptance, and human rights, making it a culturally important work in cinema.

### Related Entities
- **David Lynch**: The director of *The Elephant Man*, known for his surreal and psychological filmmaking style.
- **Brooksfilms**: The production company behind the film.
- **Joseph Merrick**: The real-life figure on whom the film is based.
- **Biographical Film**: The genre to which *The Elephant Man* belongs, focusing on the dramatization of real-life events and individuals.
- **Drama Film**: Another genre classification for the film, emphasizing its emotional and narrative depth.

### Technical Details
- **Wikidata ID**: Q11424
- **IMDb ID**: tt0080678
- **Library of Congress Control Number**: no2003029954
- **Sitelink Count**: 54 (Wikipedia language editions)
- **Wikipedia Title**: *The Elephant Man (1980 film)*

### Legacy
*The Elephant Man* remains a powerful and influential film, known for its emotional storytelling and artistic presentation. Its themes and portrayal of Joseph Merrick continue to resonate with audiences, making it a significant work in the history of cinema.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
2. The Movie Database
3. MusicBrainz
4. The Elephant Man. Rotten Tomatoes
5. Freebase Data Dumps
6. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080678/releaseinfo/)
7. [Source](https://www.zweitausendeins.de/filmlexikon/?sucheNach=titel&wert=24066)
8. [Source](https://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/lists/10-great-films-set-victorian-london)
9. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080678/parentalguide)
10. [Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0080678/)
11. Kinopoisk
12. [Source](https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/elephant-man-1980)
13. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/the-elephant-man/)
14. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
15. AlloCiné
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17. [Source](https://www.eirin.jp/list/index.php?s_year=2020&s_month=5&e_year=2020&e_month=5&pageID=1)
18. film distribution certificate
19. Cineplex
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21. mymovies.it
22. [Source](https://www.borderlinesfilmfestival.co.uk/film/elephant-man-pg)
23. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/4D83-6CE6-48C4-9956-6916-A)
24. Danish Film Database
25. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/93979)
26. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/The_Elephant_Man-NYVMVMG)
27. Trakt.tv
28. FilmVandaag.nl