The Elephant Man (film)

thumb|People are frightened by what they don't understand. [[File:Merrick-hood.jpg|thumb|I am not an elephant! I am not an animal! I am a human being! I... am... a man!]]The Elephant Man is a 1980 film directed by David Lynch, based on the life of Joseph Merrick (referred to as John Merrick, in this film). John Merrick I am not an elephant! I am not an animal! I am a human being! I... am... a man! People are frightened by what they don't understand. My life is full because I know I am loved. Dr. Frederick Treves Am I a good man? Or a bad man? Bytes Life!... is full of surprises. Consider the fate of this creature's poor mother, struck down in the fourth month of her maternal condition by an elephant, a wild elephant. Struck down!... on an uncharted African isle. The result is plain to see... Ladies and gentlemen... The terrible... Elephant... Man! Mary Jane Merrick Never. Oh, never. Nothing will die. The stream flows, the wind blows, the cloud fleets, the heart beats. Nothing will die. Dialogue Dr. Fox: Have you ever mentioned his mental state? Dr. Frederick Treves: Oh, he's an imbecile, probably from birth. Man's a complete idiot... Pray to God he's an idiot. Mrs. Kendal: Why, Mr. Merrick, you're not an elephant man at all. John Merrick: Oh no? Mrs. Kendal: Oh no... no... you're a Romeo. Carr Gomm: Can you imagine the kind of life he must have had? Dr. Frederick Treves: Yes, I think I can. Carr Gomm: I don't think so. No one could possibly imagine it! I don't believe any of us can! Mrs. Mothershead: Sir! I don't quite... I don't quite understand why it is you allow that sort of people in there. Dr. Frederick Treves: Why? Because he enjoys it, and I think it's very good for him. Mrs. Mothershead: Yes, but, sir, you saw the expression on their faces. They didn't hide their disgust. They don't care anything about John! They only want to impress their friends! Dr. Frederick Treves: I think you're being rather harsh on them, don't you, Mrs. Mothershead? Mrs. Mothershead: I beg your pardon! Dr. Frederick Treves: You yourself hardly showed him much loving kindness when he first arrived, did you? Mrs. Mothershead: I bathed him, I fed him, and I cleaned up after him, didn't I? And I see that my nurses do the same. And if loving kindness can be called care and practical concern, then I did show him loving kindness, and I am not ashamed to admit it! Dr. Frederick Treves: I didn't mean it exactly that way, Mrs. Mothershead. Now please believe me. Of course I appreciate your concern. I appreciate everything you've done for Mr. Merrick. Mrs. Mothershead: Thank you. Dr. Frederick Treves: But I am the physician in charge-- Mrs. Mothershead: I appreciate tha-- Dr. Frederick Treves: And I must do what I think is best for him! Mrs. Mothershead: If you ask for my opinion, he's only being stared at all over again! John Merrick: There's something I've been meaning to ask you for some time now. Dr. Frederick Treves: What's that? John Merrick: Can you cure me? Dr. Frederick Treves: No. We can care for you, but we can't cure you. John Merrick: [matter-of-factly] No. I thought not. Mrs. Treves: I'm very pleased to meet you, Mr. Merrick. John Merrick: I'm very pleased... [begins to cry]Dr. Frederick Treves: What is it, John? What's the matter? John Merrick: It's just that I-I'm not used to being treated so well by a beautiful woman... John Merrick: Would you care to see my mother? Dr. Frederick Treves: [surprised] Your mother? Yes, please.[Merrick pulls out a small portrait]Mrs. Treves: Oh but she's... Mr. Merrick, she's beautiful! John Merrick: Oh, she had the face of an angel! [sadly] I must have been a great disappointment to her. Mrs. Treves: No, Mr. Merrick, no! No son as loving as you could ever be a disappointment. John Merrick: If only I could find her, so she could see me with such lovely friends here now; perhaps she could love me as I am. I've tried so hard to be good. Dr. Frederick Treves: (To Jim in the furnace room) Where is he? Where's Mr. Merrick? Jim: I don't know what you mean, sir. Dr. Frederick Treves: DON'T LIE TO ME!! I know all about it, you were seen! You're involved with Bytes, aren't you? You've taken him. WHERE. IS. HE? Jim: Now, wait a minute. I haven't taken him anywhere. I don't know no Bytes. We were just having a bit of fun. We never hurt him. You know, just having a laugh, that's all. Dr. Frederick Treves: (Shoves Jim to a wall) YOU BASTARD! HE'S GONE!!! Jim: When I left him, he was in bed safe and sound! Dr. Frederick Treves: YOU BASTARD! (Shoves Jim, making him knock over a table with plates) YOU BASTARD!! Jim: You're not listening to me! I told you, I don't know no Bytes! I ain't done nothing wrong! People pay money to see your monster, Mr. Treves. I collect it. Dr. Frederick Treves: 'YOU'RE THE MONSTER! YOU'RE THE... FREAK! NOW, GET OUT! YOU'RE FINISHED, DAMN YOU!Jim: (Picks up a fire poker) You don't frighten me, you and your bleedin' Elephant Man. I'm glad what I done, and you can do nothing about it. Only Mothershead can sack me now!Mothershead': (Comes up behind him and knocks him out with a package)'' Done. External links The Elephant Man at imdb.com Category:Drama films Category:Biographical films Category:1980 films Category:1980 American films Category:Films directed by David Lynch Category:Films about disability