Hopkins' performance is out of this world. He remains in third place observing and reacting, and yet he is eloquent. It's a pity that the character of Treves was not to Hopkins' liking.
I grew up in a religious household and abandoned religious belief around the age of 14. At the time I didn't see anything important about holding onto these lofty stories and passages, I saw no worth in them because I was young and naive and I thought myself smarter than I actually was. But, as I grew older I realized the foundation that spiritual belief can provide someone, faith in the face of adversity no matter how hard your life is, you don't waver. I saw that if someone could surrender themselves to God they would be protected, validated, actualized... saved. Merrick here despite all the obstacles life threw at him held firmly to his belief, he felt that God would never abandon him when everyone else had. Steadfast belief, unwavering faith, dedication. Merrick was a human being. And now he's an angel.
I love how this scene shows his religious side. He was a deeply pious man who found strength and comfort in his faith. "Though father and mother abandon me, the Lord will take me in." Psalms 27:10
@John Vee The commenter didn't say you NEED to believe anything, but simply said that faith can help people to get through terrible times. No need to shit on the beliefs of others, or mock what others view as holy.
@John V Silly book of superstition. Yes, you atheists always say that. Here's the thing. Where does that compassion for another human being come from? If another human being is just an animal that will die out, why show compassion to it at all? If it was an animal that will die and be lost forever, why do we have ABILITY to have compassion for that another human being, if the universe is just meaningless? Book of superstition? Story that black death is brought by a woman who kills everyone in the house when she finds the house unclean is silly and superstitious. Story that you are gonna have accident after black cat steps on your way is silly and superstitious. Story that when miror is broken you will have seven years of bad luck is silly and superstitious. Story that there is a Creator who made humans, then we humans rebelled against Him, then He came to Earth to reconcile us with Him by His death and Resurrection and that He will walk with us in all days of our life is not silly or superstitious, it is a story that can be true or false and is probably true. What you consider superstitious is something you will name as talking snake, yet everyone in history of Christianity knew that snake refers to devil, since the old Hebrew word for snake also means diviner and deceiver and is used for other angelic beings in Hebrew Bible. What you will call silly is man made from clay, yet in Hebrew text there is no word for ,,from", but Hebrew simply says that ,,God made man who IS dust of the Earth.", a common way to refer to humans in that time as dust of the earth. What you call silly and superstitious is woman made from rib, yet there is no word for ,,rib" in Hebrew text, but that word is ,,whole side of something", and thus text wants to say that woman is man's other half and he can't be full without her. What you call silly and superstitious is Genesis 1 that is so complicated in language that entire books where made in analyzing it. What you call silly and superstitious is Flood, yet Flood was obviously local in scope, yet global in judgement to humans (i.e. all HUMANS where destroyed in it, but not all earth was flooded). I guess that ,,silly and superstitious book" is not so sillly and superstitious after all, right? And even IF every religion in the world is false, they are all still more rational than the non-sense of atheism.
@@MrGpschmidt His name was actually Joseph. The mistake of "John" comes from Treves' recollections, which he wrote when he was quite old. The film gets a whole slew of things wrong, but it's still a fantastic work of cinema.
3:23 The dialogue. The music. The role. The acting. The reaction. When I reached this point, I knew right away I am watching a timeless gem of a creation of phenomenal artistic proportions. A true star in the darkness of the universe.
This scene is a masterclass in acting from all three. Hurt embodies Merrick on every level, Hopkins is so natural you almost feel like you’re standing there with them, and Gielgud’s subtleties while trying to listen to and understand Merrick are just remarkable. Also pretty remarkable that this is David Lynch’s second film.
One of the best films ever made. I just cannot watch it all the way through. It hurts too much. What a wonderful man he was and Dr. Treves. They did exist.
@@Eggnoodlesandketchup3 ok i agree,some will but most not.you care others not even myself i care most times about my pain from my autoimmune disease i have but in that hour you see others pain again but you canot do anything important cause your pain is your pain and you have your pain but what happens when not in pain you have everything but you care only for yourself.cause this paradigm is everywhere thats why we suffer except our nature that is live pain and finally die...you care there is light,some light but mostly is dark versus light ,but in real life this little light is that of exsists darkness doesnt really exsist ,even the little light is something important cause we have photons that exsist,even if its small its important,darkness isnt something you can measure,yes there is darkness but without light darkness loose its meaning,doesnt exsist.its like cold and heat ,heat exsist cold even if we fell it doesnt.you measure the heat.so light always wins even if its little,we choose side as humans in life we regret and we see at the end...
@@observer8477 The world is full of conflict, opposition. Man is at heart selfish and wicked. I try to pursue Life, light and love. Not death, darkness and hatred. The world is made up of these things. If I tell you the truth I believe the answer is to know God and his will for us. He loves us and we need to love Him and love each other. I'm still learning how to achieve this. God loved the world so much that he gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him may receive everlasting life. I think it begins here.
@@Eggnoodlesandketchup3 yes brother i saw that in every way almost ,about the world and me in the past,i didnt speak about god directly but thats what i meant at the end that i said we choose side and we see at the end,god i was talking and his judgement at the end of our journey .i was wicked years ago and i still fight darkness in another level now but i think i found jesus speakings was the answer to all of these things,mabe not excactly to all bible teaches,i mean in a straight manner it talks about some few things but it depends on how you believe it and its personal.but the most things He said talked to me inside when i was doubting him straight,i blasphimized him straight in my pain that he didnt exsist,challenging him to talked to me if he was real and i believe he did,with his remarkable ways...sometimes people are suspicious about my kindness,sometimes they call me a fool but i know things.anyway mary christmas my friend and keep your search in the lights path i hope we all going to found one day.bye
I'm an atheist who never cries at movies, haven't in over a year. It's not a point of pride for me, as I'm often deeply moved by movies, I just can't show it physically. 'Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil' made me cry.
3:15 I think this is the most moving scene in the movie because it is when Merrick lets Treeves and the rest of the world know he is not dimwitted, but rather he is mentally capable and fully aware of understanding the dreadfully terrible hand he was dealt with in life and is able to comprehend fully all the sadness that it bestows upon him. We all have felt we did not think we made as good of an impression on other people as we would have liked, based on our appearances at sometime in life. We all have felt a sense of rejection, as well, by another person or group of people at some point or other in life. The other person doesnt like me, or I dont feel like I fit in, etc., And we ask ourselves, what is wrong with me? Particularly, as children. It feels terrible. Then to look at the level of disdain and rejection not being able to fit in with society this poor man must have had to have endured all through his life seems unbearable. To know you look so ugly and horrific to people. This guy has my empathy and my admiration. God bless him and his soul.
I think part of what made Merrick's case so unique was that despite his deformities he was by all account a very articulate and sensitive man man, or at least as long as his physical condition allowed him to be. Sort of beauty and the beast combined. The fact that he was one of the first cases of a person with such an extreme condition who allowed himself to be examined by doctors also was unique for its time.
He was. He loved to write letters and was an avid reader. He was also deeply religious and by all accounts a gentle soul who never complained. I only wish that Joseph Merrick be laid to rest in Leicester with his mother, as he would have wanted.
I cried here too. its just amazing and beautiful how a man who's been through years of abuse can still be so gentle and have such a strong faith in God. Its one of those inexplainable feelings. Words do his person justice.
@@terryhancockroc6560 I didn't get that, is it 'stealing from Anthony Hopkins and John Gielgud' referring to being the most prominent character or the actor you wanted to say. If it is I'm sure that it's because the character is very distinguishable amongst them.
@@kaan_isik Clunky cliche I used. To be in a scene with Hopkins and Gielgud but make it his was my impression. "Stealing" the scene in the way Spencer Tracy could command a scene without talking. All three could do it, they all compliment each other so perfectly, but this scene stands out. They all have their moments in it, wouldn't you have given anything to have been on set for this film? Incredible.
@@terryhancockroc6560 I hear what you wanted to say, I think it's shrewder if it looked a bit artificial rather than natural lookings by David Lynch had John Hurt appear as John Merrick. But after all it's your opinion and you know what they say "à chacun ses goûts." : )
My heart just went out to him the first time I watched this as a boy. I was on the edge of my seat going, "C'mon, you can do it! You can say the verse!" I wanted him to have a good place to be in so badly. I almost leap for joy when he said it. Then I remembered I was only watching a movie. And man, that's how you know you're watching a good film. When you don't even realize that's what you're doing.
The 23rd Psalm is probably the most well-loved by so many - including myself. But how profoundly moving and poignant and beautiful it truly becomes when spoken by ''Mr Merrick''. I would guess it would be his favourite too. ;)
This was the first movie I ever watched as a boy that had such a profound effect on me; I really identified with John Merrick. My son asked me a few years ago if monsters exist. I was honest with him, I said they did. They're called people. The only monsters that exist are people. RIP John
De Niro maybe the better actor, but Hurt gave a much more powerful, convincing, emotional performance as The Elephant Man. This is one of those few movies I find myself applauding for an actor. Thumbs up if you agree.
He apparently captured the personality of the actual John Merrill, who was known to be a polite, friendly, sensitive and emotional man who was profoundly touched by and grateful for the treatment he received from those he met while living at the hospital.
My wife, 11 yr old son & I watched together. My son & I were in tears. Mine were only interrupted by the way he said, "Potatoes", which made me laugh so hard I laughed all of my toxins out.
This movie reminds me that the world is not all evil and that there really are advanced people that come to the world to teach us all (John Merrick being one of them) The movie is good for your soul. When I feel myself becoming hard and cold because of all the shit life throws at me, I always watch that film again and it brings me crashing down again and softens my heart. Anyone who doesn't shed at least one tear while watching that movie is either lying or is cold hearted. Its a very human film
What do you prefer, Raging Bull or The Elephant Man? Both movies were showed in 1980. They competed in the Academy Awards. Finally, they are similar in the kind of story (a biopic) and the b/w cinematography."
_"I didn't teach him that part."_ That explosive moment when a single uttered sentence causes two revelations to hit the human brain in the same fraction of a second, one accompanied by joy, the other by horror: 1) Merrick isn't an idiot. 2) *_Merrick isn't an idiot._*
Absolutely. Joy then horror... I love the following scene when they're in the office and Gielgud is asking Treves can you imagine the horrible life that he's had. It's heartbreaking
What I read essentially stated that he was able to talk pretty coherently for a while, but his condition did progress to the point that verbal communication became difficult. By the time in his life that this was depicting he was largely communicating by mannerisms and gestures I think, though he was apparently still major letter writer.
(CONT) ...however, saying all that, I do think many people would be interested by a fuller and more accurate retelling of Joseph's life, from childhood, and what he REALLY suffered, esp at the workhouse,no less distressing, while later of course there were so many kind people to help him to enjoy the remainder of his life as happy as possible at the hosp.Also, to show that his mother loved him so much... And to show just how very brave and heroic he was in my opinion. MJM
that must have been very uncomfortable to live like that with skin swelling. Poor him. everytime i see him, my tears come out. Even if he was deformed, he was one of the beautiful ones in the world and those people that treated him bad were the freaks, not him!
It is indeed tragic, but Merrick saw being in the show as preferable to a life in a Workhouse, and better than being shown by Treves to medics for no fee at all. Indeed, he found the latter particularly humiliating, and came to resent his visits to the hospital, eventually refusing to cooperate with Treves. Unlike in the film, Tom Norman (the showman) fed, treated and paid him rather well, and from the show's "run" in Whitechapel Merrick saved more than £50. A respectable sum in those days.
1. By now I've watched the whole thing in one go. 2. I didn't cry, but found it terrible. 3. If you don't cry during this movie, you COULD be tough. It could also mean you have no soul, or have something against him.
I watched this for the first time at about 3 in the morning and I was bawling the whole way through, especially the "romeo" scene and I don't usually cry at movies
He is awsome and I know that he will make it to heaven. According to the people who knew him, he never showed any hatred to the people who abused him. BTW, my name's number is the same as his, how cool is that! RIP Joseph Merrick
Amazing trio of actors People with severe illnesses or disabilities are often intelligent and kind, it's as if God gives them a perfect soul when nature gave them an 'imperfect' body
some of the best acting I've ever seen, moving, compassionate....I saw this when it came out as a teenager and I didn't even know who David Lynch was....we knew John Hurt from "The Naked Civil Servant" and "I, Caludius" and Anthony Hopkins from "Magic" and Sir John Gielgud from one of my favorite TV series. "Brideshead Revisited" as Jeremy Irons' rather whimsical widower father... I guess I'm getting old....
Truly heartbreaking makes me cry thank god he had a happy life was loved at the end the cruel treatment poor man had amazes me back then clever caring doctors saved him give him dignity love respect and a home
@tranurse Agree with you! (Not being rude or anything...) More importantly I agree with you that perhaps the film couldnt be made better. I also think that if a new film were made now,because of the advance in makeup, it might put too much emphasis on Josephs deformity, - does that make sense? I just feel that in this film (with thanks to John Hurts incredible acting) you see him for what he truly is - a wonderful man in every way.Well, thats how it is for me.
Raging Bull and Coal Miner's Daughter and this all lost to Ordinary People. All the directors lost to Robert Redford for OP as well. I'm stunned this didn't win but it's fantasy to pin one artist up against another. All three in this scene were nothing short of brilliant. Lynch directing-brilliant. Brooks producing? Fearless. This magnificent film is timeless. Just a tough year to be released if awards were your thing.
Such a beautiful sensitive performance by such a beautifully sensitive actor John Hurt. He captures the dignity and sensitivity of the real John Merrick.
@MrsJosephMerrick that all may be true, but let the poetic license of this movie give hope because it is uplifting. suspension of disbelief, if you will
Poor John, he didn’t ask to be born the way he was, and people just abuse him and torment him for who he was!? I DON’T THINK SO!!! Because Jesus Christ himself said that if we judge others, we will be judged too. I have Autism and people still criticize me for how I am and how I look sometimes or how I act or feel. But what Jesus Christ said also truly echoes in my heart. “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” If only more people would follow John Merrick’s example and love their enemies instead of fighting with them all the time.
@MOTHMAN225 I remember reading it was more his enlarged back teeth that required multiple dangerous surgeries before he could speak to any degree, rather than his head.
No, it just means you're tough. I've watched the majority of the movie on RUclips but at no point did I cry. I found it sad/brutal, but I didn't start bawling /:
One of the greatest movies ever made.
Тhis moviе is nоw аvааааilаblе tо wаtсh hеrе => twitter.com/3bee47a9cb8345553/status/795842627195183104 Тhе Еlерhааnt Маn 23rd Рsalm Sсеnе
Yes it was belongs in the Smithsonian
My favorite film all time
@@Chrisicola mine too.
for me the best.
4:05 - fantastic use of lighting. It's like light from heaven shinning on Merrick symbolizing his innocence and faith. Lynch is genius.
The Elephant Man is now in Heaven, but perfect.
He was already perfect.
@@Fummy007 I think he means Jesus cured him of his illness.
He's not an Elephant, he's Joseph Carey Merrick
Hopkins' performance is out of this world. He remains in third place observing and reacting, and yet he is eloquent. It's a pity that the character of Treves was not to Hopkins' liking.
David Lynch made movies that make todays movies look like they're made by 12 year olds
No he didn't, just stfu
@@yeah1326 You know it’s true ;)
R.I.P. Sir John Gielgud and Sir John Hurt. You both left such marvelous legacies. Your fellow traveler, Sir Anthony Hopkins still shines that light.
Lovely comment❤
One of the most moving scenes in cinema history. It's scandalous this film didn't win a single Oscar, having been nominated for eight.
You're absolutely right. Thankfully it did win three BAFTAs! 👍🙂
This movie should have won a bucketful of oscars, makes today's movies look horrible in comparison
It was up against a LOT of good movies, to be fair...but it was better than all of them. Yes, even Raging Bull.
It still should have been filmed in colour though.
This movie deserves a bucketful of oscars
@@racindiadejesus9492 I certainly agree
@@lucyhogan7686 absolutely no, the black and white adds to the fever dream and timeless feel David Lynch was going for.
I grew up in a religious household and abandoned religious belief around the age of 14. At the time I didn't see anything important about holding onto these lofty stories and passages, I saw no worth in them because I was young and naive and I thought myself smarter than I actually was.
But, as I grew older I realized the foundation that spiritual belief can provide someone, faith in the face of adversity no matter how hard your life is, you don't waver. I saw that if someone could surrender themselves to God they would be protected, validated, actualized... saved. Merrick here despite all the obstacles life threw at him held firmly to his belief, he felt that God would never abandon him when everyone else had. Steadfast belief, unwavering faith, dedication. Merrick was a human being. And now he's an angel.
This brought a tear to my eye. This is exactly how I feel, and my situation in the past as well. Thank you.
I love how this scene shows his religious side. He was a deeply pious man who found strength and comfort in his faith.
"Though father and mother abandon me, the Lord will take me in." Psalms 27:10
@John Vee
The commenter didn't say you NEED to believe anything, but simply said that faith can help people to get through terrible times. No need to shit on the beliefs of others, or mock what others view as holy.
@John V Silly book of superstition. Yes, you atheists always say that.
Here's the thing.
Where does that compassion for another human being come from?
If another human being is just an animal that will die out, why show compassion to it at all?
If it was an animal that will die and be lost forever, why do we have ABILITY to have compassion for that another human being, if the universe is just meaningless?
Book of superstition?
Story that black death is brought by a woman who kills everyone in the house when she finds the house unclean is silly and superstitious.
Story that you are gonna have accident after black cat steps on your way is silly and superstitious.
Story that when miror is broken you will have seven years of bad luck is silly and superstitious.
Story that there is a Creator who made humans, then we humans rebelled against Him, then He came to Earth to reconcile us with Him by His death and Resurrection and that He will walk with us in all days of our life is not silly or superstitious, it is a story that can be true or false and is probably true.
What you consider superstitious is something you will name as talking snake, yet everyone in history of Christianity knew that snake refers to devil, since the old Hebrew word for snake also means diviner and deceiver and is used for other angelic beings in Hebrew Bible.
What you will call silly is man made from clay, yet in Hebrew text there is no word for ,,from", but Hebrew simply says that ,,God made man who IS dust of the Earth.", a common way to refer to humans in that time as dust of the earth.
What you call silly and superstitious is woman made from rib, yet there is no word for ,,rib" in Hebrew text, but that word is ,,whole side of something", and thus text wants to say that woman is man's other half and he can't be full without her.
What you call silly and superstitious is Genesis 1 that is so complicated in language that entire books where made in analyzing it.
What you call silly and superstitious is Flood, yet Flood was obviously local in scope, yet global in judgement to humans (i.e. all HUMANS where destroyed in it, but not all earth was flooded).
I guess that ,,silly and superstitious book" is not so sillly and superstitious after all, right?
And even IF every religion in the world is false, they are all still more rational than the non-sense of atheism.
@John Doe Go worship your idols in the form of fossils but as for me and my house I will serve the lord.
John Hurt did a fabulous job as Joseph Merrick
John Merrick
George Schmidt
His real name was Joseph but people called him John.
@@MrGpschmidt His name was actually Joseph. The mistake of "John" comes from Treves' recollections, which he wrote when he was quite old. The film gets a whole slew of things wrong, but it's still a fantastic work of cinema.
He did a fabulous job in everything he did!
Incredible actor .
3:23
The dialogue. The music. The role. The acting. The reaction.
When I reached this point, I knew right away I am watching a timeless gem of a creation of phenomenal artistic proportions. A true star in the darkness of the universe.
This scene is a masterclass in acting from all three. Hurt embodies Merrick on every level, Hopkins is so natural you almost feel like you’re standing there with them, and Gielgud’s subtleties while trying to listen to and understand Merrick are just remarkable. Also pretty remarkable that this is David Lynch’s second film.
One of the best films ever made. I just cannot watch it all the way through. It hurts too much.
What a wonderful man he was and Dr. Treves. They did exist.
yes, very emotional to watch; I feel such empathy and compassion for this young man...
im in tears. my soul is crying for this man. but i know he is in heaven now with God.
he deserves it,but we humans want a fiction approach to trigger our fellings.we dont care much about reallity the way it is...
@@observer8477 some of us do
@@Eggnoodlesandketchup3 ok i agree,some will but most not.you care others not even myself i care most times about my pain from my autoimmune disease i have but in that hour you see others pain again but you canot do anything important cause your pain is your pain and you have your pain but what happens when not in pain you have everything but you care only for yourself.cause this paradigm is everywhere thats why we suffer except our nature that is live pain and finally die...you care there is light,some light but mostly is dark versus light ,but in real life this little light is that of exsists darkness doesnt really exsist ,even the little light is something important cause we have photons that exsist,even if its small its important,darkness isnt something you can measure,yes there is darkness but without light darkness loose its meaning,doesnt exsist.its like cold and heat ,heat exsist cold even if we fell it doesnt.you measure the heat.so light always wins even if its little,we choose side as humans in life we regret and we see at the end...
@@observer8477 The world is full of conflict, opposition. Man is at heart selfish and wicked. I try to pursue Life, light and love. Not death, darkness and hatred. The world is made up of these things. If I tell you the truth I believe the answer is to know God and his will for us. He loves us and we need to love Him and love each other. I'm still learning how to achieve this. God loved the world so much that he gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him may receive everlasting life. I think it begins here.
@@Eggnoodlesandketchup3 yes brother i saw that in every way almost ,about the world and me in the past,i didnt speak about god directly but thats what i meant at the end that i said we choose side and we see at the end,god i was talking and his judgement at the end of our journey .i was wicked years ago and i still fight darkness in another level now but i think i found jesus speakings was the answer to all of these things,mabe not excactly to all bible teaches,i mean in a straight manner it talks about some few things but it depends on how you believe it and its personal.but the most things He said talked to me inside when i was doubting him straight,i blasphimized him straight in my pain that he didnt exsist,challenging him to talked to me if he was real and i believe he did,with his remarkable ways...sometimes people are suspicious about my kindness,sometimes they call me a fool but i know things.anyway mary christmas my friend and keep your search in the lights path i hope we all going to found one day.bye
I'm an atheist who never cries at movies, haven't in over a year. It's not a point of pride for me, as I'm often deeply moved by movies, I just can't show it physically. 'Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil' made me cry.
3:15 I think this is the most moving scene in the movie because it is when Merrick lets Treeves and the rest of the world know he is not dimwitted, but rather he is mentally capable and fully aware of understanding the dreadfully terrible hand he was dealt with in life and is able to comprehend fully all the sadness that it bestows upon him.
We all have felt we did not think we made as good of an impression on other people as we would have liked, based on our appearances at sometime in life. We all have felt a sense of rejection, as well, by another person or group of people at some point or other in life. The other person doesnt like me, or I dont feel like I fit in, etc., And we ask ourselves, what is wrong with me? Particularly, as children. It feels terrible. Then to look at the level of disdain and rejection not being able to fit in with society this poor man must have had to have endured all through his life seems unbearable. To know you look so ugly and horrific to people. This guy has my empathy and my admiration. God bless him and his soul.
Believe in God my friend.
you just want to believe in god but you see all the things in life and religion that makes you believe otherwise
We all believe in God. We all know God. That's why you cried.
@@observer8477 Debby Downer.....
All the british actors were amazing .so was the late anne bancroft
If you dont cry watching this movie you have no heart.
I think part of what made Merrick's case so unique was that despite his deformities he was by all account a very articulate and sensitive man man, or at least as long as his physical condition allowed him to be. Sort of beauty and the beast combined. The fact that he was one of the first cases of a person with such an extreme condition who allowed himself to be examined by doctors also was unique for its time.
He was. He loved to write letters and was an avid reader. He was also deeply religious and by all accounts a gentle soul who never complained. I only wish that Joseph Merrick be laid to rest in Leicester with his mother, as he would have wanted.
there is no monsters in human beings.a human being is not just the appearance that makes him a human
@@observer8477 Aye, but there are definitely plenty of human monsters, but that monstrosity comes from the inside
@@orfeo793 yes its the uglyness of being evil...the good is written in our hearts or our minds but we choose to do evil...
I loved the way Dr Carr-Gomm defended Joseph Merrick later in the film against his vile, evil 'owner'.
Mel Brooks was the Executive Producer of this movie!
One of the most moving films and performances ever committed to cinema. As powerful now as it was then
I cried here too. its just amazing and beautiful how a man who's been through years of abuse can still be so gentle and have such a strong faith in God. Its one of those inexplainable feelings. Words do his person justice.
John Hurt was a severely underrated actor, too. Made every role his. How do you steal a scene from Hopkins and Gielgud? Not easy, but he does it here.
@@terryhancockroc6560 I didn't get that, is it 'stealing from Anthony Hopkins and John Gielgud' referring to being the most prominent character or the actor you wanted to say. If it is I'm sure that it's because the character is very distinguishable amongst them.
@@kaan_isik Clunky cliche I used. To be in a scene with Hopkins and Gielgud but make it his was my impression. "Stealing" the scene in the way Spencer Tracy could command a scene without talking. All three could do it, they all compliment each other so perfectly, but this scene stands out. They all have their moments in it, wouldn't you have given anything to have been on set for this film? Incredible.
@@terryhancockroc6560 I hear what you wanted to say, I think it's shrewder if it looked a bit artificial rather than natural lookings by David Lynch had John Hurt appear as John Merrick. But after all it's your opinion and you know what they say "à chacun ses goûts." : )
If god exists, god cursed him with this horrific life. The fact that he supposedly has "faith" is not inspiring, it's tragic.
I admire John Merrick he will always be
a man of courage and intellect...
Elephant Man is one of the best true films
i have ever seen..Bless him!+
My heart just went out to him the first time I watched this as a boy. I was on the edge of my seat going, "C'mon, you can do it! You can say the verse!" I wanted him to have a good place to be in so badly. I almost leap for joy when he said it. Then I remembered I was only watching a movie. And man, that's how you know you're watching a good film. When you don't even realize that's what you're doing.
*4:35** Being called "Mr. Merrick" had been good for him. People were beginning to respect him, to be treated humbly. What an amazing film.*
What a beautiful human being. We could all learn many life lessons from him.
Surely goodness and mercry shall follow me forever, as the 2 good doctor's walk in the door.
Such a powerful scene, It brings me to tears everytime.
If this movie was remade it probably wouldn't live up to this movie and its reputation and I love the music
The music reminded me a lot of Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis.
The 23rd Psalm is probably the most well-loved by so many - including myself. But how profoundly moving and poignant and beautiful it truly becomes when spoken by ''Mr Merrick''.
I would guess it would be his favourite too. ;)
God I love this movie. I cannot believe it didn't get any awards, truly a masterpiece.
Bad blind retard judges at the oscars for sure in 1980
@@ManuelGuzman067 they could not see it coming,this movie was above them
It was a different time. If it were made a few years later, I'm sure it would have gotten all the Oscars.
I aprove it..im an expert in art
Is Zeus you're personal God belief?
This film is unwatchably painful.
This was the first movie I ever watched as a boy that had such a profound effect on me; I really identified with John Merrick.
My son asked me a few years ago if monsters exist. I was honest with him, I said they did.
They're called people. The only monsters that exist are people.
RIP John
trust me as kids we all had a profound effect and as grown man too.this movie is a masterpiece
I love this. I am preaching a sermon on Sunday about Psalm 23 and I am beginning it with an account of this beautiful scene.
Sunday means the Day of the sun.
Not even the Sonday. Stange isn t it?
@@mondeactuel Dude it's a valid conversation to have but this isn't really the time for it.
@@thoughtfuldevil6069 OK 👌 another day maybe. 🙂🇷🇺
De Niro maybe the better actor, but Hurt gave a much more powerful, convincing, emotional performance as The Elephant Man. This is one of those few movies I find myself applauding for an actor. Thumbs up if you agree.
Totally agree.
He apparently captured the personality of the actual John Merrill, who was known to be a polite, friendly, sensitive and emotional man who was profoundly touched by and grateful for the treatment he received from those he met while living at the hospital.
Merrick, not Merrill.
As an agnostic I am always very moved by the fact that Mr John Merrick was a devout Christian. He could have been such an angry bitter person.
Treves = a based alpha Chad who could definitely get it. Smart, hot *and* kind. I want it. 🖤
ja
Jesus Is Lord 🙏🏽❤️
My wife, 11 yr old son & I watched together. My son & I were in tears. Mine were only interrupted by the way he said, "Potatoes", which made me laugh so hard I laughed all of my toxins out.
This is my favorite movie scene. Ever so powerful.
This movie reminds me that the world is not all evil and that there really are advanced people that come to the world to teach us all (John Merrick being one of them) The movie is good for your soul. When I feel myself becoming hard and cold because of all the shit life throws at me, I always watch that film again and it brings me crashing down again and softens my heart. Anyone who doesn't shed at least one tear while watching that movie is either lying or is cold hearted. Its a very human film
What do you prefer, Raging Bull or The Elephant Man? Both movies were showed in 1980. They competed in the Academy Awards. Finally, they are similar in the kind of story (a biopic) and the b/w cinematography."
I cried at this part not gonna lie. And I never cry
Same. Maybe the most profound scene in any movie, ever. The 23rd Psalm is so powerful, beautiful and just... true.
A few scenes made me cry
_"I didn't teach him that part."_
That explosive moment when a single uttered sentence causes two revelations to hit the human brain in the same fraction of a second, one accompanied by joy, the other by horror:
1) Merrick isn't an idiot.
2) *_Merrick isn't an idiot._*
Absolutely. Joy then horror... I love the following scene when they're in the office and Gielgud is asking Treves can you imagine the horrible life that he's had. It's heartbreaking
the music was great too, lovely movie - great acting
What I read essentially stated that he was able to talk pretty coherently for a while, but his condition did progress to the point that verbal communication became difficult. By the time in his life that this was depicting he was largely communicating by mannerisms and gestures I think, though he was apparently still major letter writer.
Thanks for making a masterpiece, David Lynch.
Genius directing
(CONT)
...however, saying all that, I do think many people would be interested by a fuller and more accurate retelling of Joseph's life, from childhood, and what he REALLY suffered, esp at the workhouse,no less distressing, while later of course there were so many kind people to help him to enjoy the remainder of his life as happy as possible at the hosp.Also, to show that his mother loved him so much...
And to show just how very brave and heroic he was in my opinion. MJM
Ce passage est tellement poignant,
Impossible de retenir ses larmes
John merrick est tellement touchant
that must have been very uncomfortable to live like that with skin swelling. Poor him. everytime i see him, my tears come out. Even if he was deformed, he was one of the beautiful ones in the world and those people that treated him bad were the freaks, not him!
It wasn't just skin swelling. His bones were deformed. Likely Proteus Syndrome.
one of the best films I have seen in years. I first saw it in year 7 in my English class and I cried hard when I saw this film I still do
i cried over the half of the movie
beginning with this scene
Jesús what an incredibly touching scene. Great great movie
Ce film de David Lynch est un chef d’œuvre traitant de la différence ❤
This movie is a portrait of those of us who live with disabilities...
God bless your beautiful heart and soul, the Lord is most certainly our Shepherd dear brother John Merrick. ❤
It is indeed tragic, but Merrick saw being in the show as preferable to a life in a Workhouse, and better than being shown by Treves to medics for no fee at all. Indeed, he found the latter particularly humiliating, and came to resent his visits to the hospital, eventually refusing to cooperate with Treves.
Unlike in the film, Tom Norman (the showman) fed, treated and paid him rather well, and from the show's "run" in Whitechapel Merrick saved more than £50. A respectable sum in those days.
1. By now I've watched the whole thing in one go.
2. I didn't cry, but found it terrible.
3. If you don't cry during this movie, you COULD be tough. It could also mean you have no soul, or have something against him.
not necessarily. I don't cry, but can still be moved by someone or something.
No disrespect to all these super heroe movies, but i really had to come back to this, real films, cinematography, art, this is a portrait.
hes so cute :)
I watched this for the first time at about 3 in the morning and I was bawling the whole way through, especially the "romeo" scene
and I don't usually cry at movies
RIP John Hurt
This movie gets me every time. Very well done movie.
i cried in this scene..not like u no boohoo..like histerical nowing what such a beautiful hearted man went throo
I relate to Mr Merrick. I hope when I leave here, I'll see you. You deserve Heaven.
if no people like him dont deserve it then nobody is...
Such a smart beautiful gentleman John is ❤
if u think u have it bad....some one always has it worse.
Greatest movie and for grammer english also.
I recently saw a photo imaged picture of what John would have looked like without his disfigurement
Let's just say...he was a babe
If i could reach from pole to pole
And clasp the ocean with a span
I be measured by my soul
The mind's the sdanded of the man
John Merrick.
God bless Joseph from Leicester UK
I walk in and through the shadow of Death, yet I shall fear no fear.
John Merrick. 😥
I. AM NOT AN 🐘
2:47 John Merric starts to sing "The Lord is my Shepperd I shall not want" "Oh Bless him.XD
Amazing acting for awareness
Happy Birthday to the great David Lynch and his incredible legacy !!!
He is awsome and I know that he will make it to heaven. According to the people who knew him, he never showed any hatred to the people who abused him.
BTW, my name's number is the same as his, how cool is that!
RIP Joseph Merrick
Amazing trio of actors
People with severe illnesses or disabilities are often intelligent and kind, it's as if God gives them a perfect soul when nature gave them an 'imperfect' body
some of the best acting I've ever seen, moving, compassionate....I saw this when it came out as a teenager and I didn't even know who David Lynch was....we knew John Hurt from "The Naked Civil Servant" and "I, Caludius" and Anthony Hopkins from "Magic" and Sir John Gielgud from one of my favorite TV series. "Brideshead Revisited" as Jeremy Irons' rather whimsical widower father... I guess I'm getting old....
Truly heartbreaking makes me cry thank god he had a happy life was loved at the end the cruel treatment poor man had amazes me back then clever caring doctors saved him give him dignity love respect and a home
The acting is brilliant
man's inhumanity to Man..
@tranurse Agree with you! (Not being rude or anything...)
More importantly I agree with you that perhaps the film couldnt be made better. I also think that if a new film were made now,because of the advance in makeup, it might put too much emphasis on Josephs deformity, - does that make sense? I just feel that in this film (with thanks to John Hurts incredible acting) you see him for what he truly is - a wonderful man in every way.Well, thats how it is for me.
i dnt care how ugly he is, i jus wana give him a big hug an look after him :'(
Hard to watch
AAAA I LOOKING FOR THIS MOVIE TWO YEARS FINEALY YEAHHHHHHH!!!!!!
Raging Bull and Coal Miner's Daughter and this all lost to Ordinary People.
All the directors lost to Robert Redford for OP as well.
I'm stunned this didn't win but it's fantasy to pin one artist up against another.
All three in this scene were nothing short of brilliant. Lynch directing-brilliant. Brooks producing? Fearless.
This magnificent film is timeless.
Just a tough year to be released if awards were your thing.
Such a beautiful sensitive performance by such a beautifully sensitive actor John Hurt. He captures the dignity and sensitivity of the real John Merrick.
Well put, you're absolutely right. So beautiful...😊
Every name has a number and that number has a meaning.
There's also a birth number.
i nearly cried in that part
Joseph Merrick is in the presence of the Lord our God for eternity now in Heaven 🙏🏻✝️
@MrsJosephMerrick that all may be true, but let the poetic license of this movie give hope because it is uplifting. suspension of disbelief, if you will
People that judge by looks should be made blind.
CREDITS:
TM & © Paramount (1980)
Cast:
Director: David Lynch
Screenwriter: Christopher De Vore, Eric Bergren, David Lynch
Lynch’s greatest strength as a storyteller is his humanity
need more John Gielgud in my life but he always brings tears to my eyes
I did too. But it was minimal to when the film finished, and I cried well into the credits.
What a story.
Amazing scene, amazing film...that is all.
Go to whitechapel hospital to see his bones...heart breaking
Poor John, he didn’t ask to be born the way he was, and people just abuse him and torment him for who he was!? I DON’T THINK SO!!! Because Jesus Christ himself said that if we judge others, we will be judged too.
I have Autism and people still criticize me for how I am and how I look sometimes or how I act or feel. But what Jesus Christ said also truly echoes in my heart. “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
If only more people would follow John Merrick’s example and love their enemies instead of fighting with them all the time.
@MOTHMAN225 I remember reading it was more his enlarged back teeth that required multiple dangerous surgeries before he could speak to any degree, rather than his head.
No, it just means you're tough. I've watched the majority of the movie on RUclips but at no point did I cry. I found it sad/brutal, but I didn't start bawling /: