|
Post by Larry's 66 Diner on Mar 3, 2007 5:26:40 GMT -6
Has anyone ever seen this film?
This was on TCM last night. I've seen this movie many, many times before, and I also have it own VHS. It is one of my favorite movies, too. It was nominated for 8 Oscars, but won 8 other awards, unfortunately none of them for make-up.
But this is a spectacular movie about the life of Joseph (John, in the movie) Merrick, a young man suffering from a rare condition known as Proteus Syndrome in the late 1800s. No one understood him or his disease in these times, and he was entered as a sideshow freak in a circus, and abused, as well. This is a very sad, but true account of his life story.
Although made in 1980, the movie was filmed in black and white, I believe, due to the grotesqueness and "realism" of the make-up. (I think I'd once heard that, if it were filmed in color, audiences would have a hard time dealing with the very grotesque look of the make-up.)
|
|
|
Post by Midge on Mar 3, 2007 15:21:32 GMT -6
I remember seeing this twenty years ago and being very much impressed with the atmosphere, the script and the performances, especially that of John Hurt as Merrick. The movie hasn't been on cable TV in a long time, though. Maybe it is too hard to watch for many people because of the grotesque (but eerily authentic) makeup.
|
|
|
Post by diane on Mar 4, 2007 2:03:51 GMT -6
I actually saw this when it first came out and I certainly think the sepia photography lended to the awful atmosphere of the film. I don't think it would have been as effective in colour. I just don't like man's cruelty full stop. Whether it is to animals or the way people, who were a bit different were treated in those times. That's what I can remember about that film.
|
|
|
Post by tclion on Mar 4, 2007 9:47:02 GMT -6
I could not have said it better myself Diane. Glad you spoke up...
|
|
|
Post by bonnie on Mar 7, 2007 16:45:29 GMT -6
i also saw this movie when it first came out. being an Anthony Hopkins fan certainly drew me to the movie. becoming a John Hurt fan kept me interested. he was absolutely brilliant in this movie and deserved his Oscar for it. brilliant performance. i've seen the movie a couple of times over the years and i never fail to enjoy the performances..
sad that had John Merrick been born 100 years later his deformity could have been fixed or at least most of the ravages of the disease could have been slowed down.
many people today suffer from this disease but surgery and other medical help make it not as bad as it was in Merrick's time.
bon
|
|
|
Post by Larry's 66 Diner on Mar 7, 2007 16:48:51 GMT -6
And, Bonnie, to add to your comment: Chances are, that if John Merrick would have been around in this day and age, he would not have had to go through all the agony, torment, torture, and ridicule he had to endure back in his day!
|
|
|
Post by bonnie on Mar 8, 2007 13:40:23 GMT -6
And, Bonnie, to add to your comment: Chances are, that if John Merrick would have been around in this day and age, he would not have had to go through all the agony, torment, torture, and ridicule he had to endure back in his day! oh i agree. i'm sure his mother was totally unprepared for a son with that condition and was not educated enough to give him any kind of life. sad that society initially treated him worse than a leper until the good doctor came to his aid. i don't know independantly how "true to life" the movie story was but apparently once society got to, er, "know" John, they weren't as frightened of him as they thot they'd be. thank God somebody got him out of the gutters. Bon
|
|
|
Post by Kimmer on Mar 8, 2007 14:59:04 GMT -6
There's an interesting video for him on "You Tube," my vision isn't the best, I can't read the link, sorry. Check it out tho, it has a representation of what he'd look like if he hadn't had that condition.
|
|
|
Post by Larry's 66 Diner on Mar 8, 2007 15:49:28 GMT -6
Kimmer, is this the one you're talking about?
|
|
|
Post by rmichaelpyle on Mar 9, 2007 10:30:35 GMT -6
If I say "I can't imagine!" - that's exactly what I mean. That little "You Tube" video is simply...
|
|
|
Post by Kimmer on Mar 9, 2007 13:16:10 GMT -6
Kimmer, is this the one you're talking about? Yes, that's the one!
|
|