The Elephant Man: This choice of film for director David Lynch was something of a departure from his debut Eraserhead two years earlier.

Eraserhead was truly independent film-making, but The Elephant Man (1980), set in Victorian England, was a mainstream drama.

After The Elephant Man, Lynch then directed Dune, a science fiction blockbuster that turned out an interesting misfire.

His next was the well-received though controversial Blue Velvet. It was turning heads in 1986 as it dealt provocatively with the so-called underbelly of everyday existence.

There’s that word: existence. The Elephant Man is existentialist, in part. That means life does not fit easy explanations. In fact, life may seem meaningless. That is a theme in Lynch’s films, including The Elephant Man.

‘Elephant Man’ John Merrick has an extremely rare disfigurement. Then he is mistreated and displayed in a ‘freak show’!

There are attempts at explaining his condition, but they seem futile. The attempts at explanations are incomplete, but sincere and sometimes clinical.

You’ve left asking, why him and not me, but glad it is not yourself.

Despite this, there is still a strong sense of compassion, rather than disillusionment with reality.

John Merrick is given a better taste of life because of the compassion of a doctor. He is able to enjoy life because he is given the opportunity to.

This makes John Merrick feel centered as a human being rather than an object of stigma and fun.

I was first introduced to this film from a movie book. The movie struck me as unique because of the rare subject matter and it stood out among the other ones presented.

There is no doubt it’s a subject worth dealing with. The subject deals with objectifying a disfigured body. But it shows ways of showing kindness and compassion, rather than being afraid of this ‘monstrosity’ and subjecting a person to disturbing acts of unkindness.

All the same, this film is gut-wrenching to follow through to the end. It is cold, clinical and disturbing to follow though compassionate. It may make you a bit edgy. It is like being immersed in an atmosphere of something horrible, but with moments of relief.

Just enduring what this man had to go through is too much to bear at times, although I recommend this film. It’s one that can’t be dismissed.

Says Merrick: “I am not an animal! I am a human being!”

Notes: In black and white, Starring: Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt, Anne Bancroft, Freddie Jones, Director: David Lynch