The Elephant Man

I remember seeing this TV movie when it was first run.

I was about 10 when it was on, and I was TOTALLY BLOWN AWAY with PHILIP ANGLIM's performance as JOHN MERRICK, aka the Elephant Man...

As much as I love David Lynch's (1980) movie with the absolutely adorable ANTHONY HOPKINS as FREDERICK TREVES and JOHN HURT as JOHN MERRICK, it was PHILIP ANGLIM's performance TOTALLY VOID OF COSMETICS, PROTHESTICS, AND OTHER MAKE-UP, THAT BLEW ME AWAY!!!

Philip Anglim ACTUALLY CONTORTED HIMSELF TO SUCH A DEGREE, THAT I THOUGHT THAT HE WAS A PRETZEL!!!!! THAT THERE WAS NO WAY THAT HE CAN UNTANGLE HIMSELF!!!

To tell you the truth, I was so impressed with Philip's performance, that I honestly DO NOT REMEMBER any other performance here, despite the fact that both GLENN CLOSE! and CHRISTOPHER HEWITT! (Mr. Belvedere) were both in the show!!!

I would venture a 99.44% chance that it was this performance that made me fascinated with the story of John Merrick.

I strongly urge any student of acting to view and study the magnificent performance of Philip Anglim as The Elephant Man. Without the use of makeup or special effects, Anglim creates an astonishingly believable portrayal of Joseph (John) Merrick. With precise and controlled movements and vocal character, Anglim causes an almost mystical reaction in the viewer. After accepting the creation of the character, one believes that Anglim is horribly deformed and struggling to survive in his pathetic world. The performances and staging of this play for television is one of the great moments in broadcast history and I wholeheartedly recommend its viewing and study.

I think this was almost as good as the stage version itself, and is so much more powerful than the make-up dependent film. I guess it requires audience intelligence and imagination (unlike the movie), but the wonder of Pomerance's play is that every one watching can create their own deformities on the character, making it a personal nightmare.

This is also based not on things Joseph Merrick wrote, but on the journals of the doctor. It is not about deformity (like the film) but about the choices society makes and the illusions society preserves. Dr, Treves' vision of his life, his work, and his world is profoundly altered by the experience described, and he is our "point of entry" - so our vision is changed as well.

A fantastic piece of work overall.

Having seen the 1980 film of the same name. I found this version to be a great disappointment. This taping of a stage play did not reach my emotions as did the 1980 black and white movie version, starring John Hurt and Anthony Hopkins, which I ranked 10 out of 10 (a rare occurrence for me). I have submitted a brief review of that one also.

When I saw this TV film I was totally blown away by Philip Anglim's stunning performance. The fact that he could portray Merrick's grotesque appearance WITHOUT the aid of a massive bodily make-over, but only by his ability to contort his body and facial expressions shows what an accomplished actor he is.

It kind of reminds me of the little boy who was commenting on "listening" to the radio when he said, "The pictures are better! (A PBR commercial.) Yes, indeed, our imaginations are miraculous and Anglim's astounding portrayal of the "elephant" man proves the miracle. BRAVO!!

I hope to find this on DVD somewhere, as it certainly should be in everyone's film library!