User Reviews

Never before or since have I seen a more perverted disgusting specimen of humanity then poor John Merrick. Those are the words of Frederick Treves when he first saw "The Elephant Man". This episode came out a year after David Lynch's classic film so it is somewhat anti climactic but it is still interesting. There are a number of wonderful reenactments including "interviews" with Doctor Treves and Merrick's nurse. Nuerofibromotosis (I hope I spelled that right) is what Merrick suffered from and this episode features other victims of the disease even though their disfigurements are NOTHING like Merricks. I was so angry when a woman who suffered from it said she had an unpleasant encounter with a group of cruel children who called her "Mrs Merrick". I was also saddened by the cause of Merricks death. Because of the large size of his head he had to sleep sitting up and one night he laid back and literally suffocated. Doctor Treves said that he died in a pitiful effort to be like "normal people".

A sad story! The story of The Elephant Man who suffered from a horrific disease was examed. Ostracized, in pain was left to be a side show attraction a horrid life as The Elephant Man. Hard time in Old England with no safety net, a doctor tried to help the sick man. The mystery about the man is revealed. I had a hard time watching this when I was a child. Doctors explain the disease. Science shows the effects on arms etc. From bad to mild each case is different! In Search of interviews people with the disease. Explains the difficulties. No I am not contagious etc. Pulls the heart strings. Why is what I asked watching this. If episode does not effect you? Nothing would. 6 out of 10