The Elephant Man (1980) quotes

Cast
Anthony Hopkins.
John Hurt.
Anne Bancroft.

A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man who is mistreated while scraping a living as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous facade, there is revealed a person of intelligence and sensitivity.

I am not an elephant! I am not an animal! I am a human being! I am a man!
– John Merrick

Never. Oh, never. Nothing will die. The stream flows, the wind blows, the cloud fleets, the heart beats. Nothing will die.
– Merrick’s Mother

People are frightened by what they don’t understand.
– John Merrick

I’m very pleased to meet you, Mr. Merrick.
– Mrs. Treves
I’m very pleased…
– John Merrick
[John begins to cry]
What is it, John? What’s the matter?
– Dr. Frederick Treves
It’s just that I-I’m not used to being treated so well by a beautiful woman…
– John Merrick

[after seeing pictures of Dr. Treves’ family] Would you care to see my mother?
– John Merrick
[surprised] Your mother? Yes please.
– Dr. Frederick Treves
[John pulls out a small portrait]
Oh but she’s… Mr. Merrick, she’s beautiful!
– Mrs. Treves
Oh, she had the face of an angel!
– John Merrick
[sadly]
I must have been a great disappointment to her.
– John Merrick
No, Mr. Merrick, no. No son as loving as you could ever be a disappointment.
– Mrs. Treves
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.
– John Merrick
[Mrs. Treves begins to cry]

My life is full because I know I am loved.
– John Merrick

Why, Mr. Merrick, you’re not an elephant man at all.
– Mrs. Kendal
Oh no?
– John Merrick
Oh no… no… you’re a Romeo.
– Mrs. Kendal

Can you imagine the kind of life he must have had?
– Carr Gomm
Yes, I think I can.
– Dr. Frederick Treves
I don’t think so. No one could possibly imagine it! I don’t believe any of us can!
– Carr Gomm

Have you ever mentioned his mental state?
– Dr. Fox
Oh, he’s an imbecile, probably from birth. Man’s a complete idiot… Pray to God he’s an idiot.
– Dr. Frederick Treves

Am I a good man? Or a bad man? That’s all…
– Dr. Frederick Treves