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MTDb โ€บ Best of โ€บ 1980 โ€บ The Elephant Man

The Elephant Man poster

The Elephant Man (1980)

โ€œA true story of courage and human dignity.โ€

8.1/10 ยท 4,063 votes 2h 4m pg DramaHistory

#3 of 34 films from 1980 #125 of 3759 in drama

Directed by David Lynch ยท Written by David Lynch, Eric Bergren, Christopher De Vore

โ–ถ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man being mistreated by his "owner" as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous faรงade, there is revealed a person of great intelligence and sensitivity.

Cast

Anthony Hopkinsas Frederick Treves
John Hurtas John Merrick
Anne Bancroftas Mrs Kendal
John Gielgudas Carr Gomm
Wendy Hilleras Mothershead
Freddie Jonesas Bytes
Michael Elphickas Night Porter
Hannah Gordonas Mrs Treves
Helen Ryanas Princess Alex
John Standingas Fox
Dexter Fletcheras Bytes' Boy
Lesley Dunlopas Nora
Phoebe Nichollsas Merrick's Mother
Pat Gormanas Fairground Bobby

Facts

Release dateOctober 9, 1980
Runtime124 min (2h 4m) โ€” longer as the 1980 average of 113 min
GenresDrama, History
LanguageEN
Budget$5,000,000
Box office$26,000,000 (5.2ร— budget)
IMDbtt0080678

More from David Lynch

Twin PeaksTwin Peaks1989 ยท โ˜… 8.5 ยท 1h 56m Mulholland DriveMulholland Drive2001 ยท โ˜… 7.8 ยท 2h 27m The Straight StoryThe Straight Story1999 ยท โ˜… 7.7 ยท 1h 52m Blue VelvetBlue Velvet1986 ยท โ˜… 7.6 ยท 2h 0m Lost HighwayLost Highway1997 ยท โ˜… 7.6 ยท 2h 14m Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with MeTwin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me1992 ยท โ˜… 7.4 ยท 2h 15m EraserheadEraserhead1977 ยท โ˜… 7.3 ยท 1h 29m Wild at HeartWild at Heart1990 ยท โ˜… 7.0 ยท 2h 5m

If you liked The Elephant Man

Same genre, released within a few years, sorted by TMDB rating.

Come and SeeCome and See1985 ยท โ˜… 8.2 ยท 2h 22m Das BootDas Boot1981 ยท โ˜… 8.1 ยท 2h 30m Barry LyndonBarry Lyndon1975 ยท โ˜… 8.0 ยท 3h 8m RanRan1985 ยท โ˜… 8.0 ยท 2h 40m AmadeusAmadeus1984 ยท โ˜… 8.0 ยท 2h 40m Raging BullRaging Bull1980 ยท โ˜… 7.9 ยท 2h 9m 190019001976 ยท โ˜… 7.8 ยท 5h 17m The UntouchablesThe Untouchables1987 ยท โ˜… 7.8 ยท 1h 59m

Questions

How long is The Elephant Man?
The Elephant Man runs 124 minutes (2h 4m).
Is The Elephant Man worth watching?
TMDB users give it 8.1/10 across 4,063 votes, which places it #3 of 34 films released in 1980 in this index (top 94%) and #125 among 3759 drama titles.
Who directed The Elephant Man?
The Elephant Man was directed by David Lynch. Other well-rated titles by the same director: Twin Peaks (1989), Mulholland Drive (2001), The Straight Story (1999).
Who stars in The Elephant Man?
Anthony Hopkins as Frederick Treves; John Hurt as John Merrick; Anne Bancroft as Mrs Kendal; John Gielgud as Carr Gomm; Wendy Hiller as Mothershead; Freddie Jones as Bytes.
What is The Elephant Man rated?
It carries a pg certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for The Elephant Man?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/27681.

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Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.