Every David Lynch Film RANKED From Worst To Best

Lynch's second feature is a typically unusual approach to the period drama and biopic, telling the tragic tale of John Merrick (John Hurt in a truly heartbreaking role). The film also managed to net eight academy award nominations, with the backlash to the lack of academy appreciation for the film's groundbreaking make up heralding the creation of the Best Make Up category thereafter.

Telling the true tale of Joseph Merrick (called John Merrick in the film), this late Victorian set piece centres on Merrick's (John Hurt) trials and tribulations in living with his severe deformations, as well as his relationship with Dr. Frederick Treves (Anthony Hopkins). Though the entire cast is exquisite, particularly Hopkins and John Gielgud, every scene is stolen by Hurt, who manages a performance of incredible strength, tenderness, and nuance, all the while filming under make up so heavy it took about eight hours to apply.

Though relatively subdued and realistic, unlike Dune or The Straight Story however, there's enough that is identifiably Lynchian in The Elephant Man. In particular, surrealistic fugues exploring Merrick's childhood and dreams seem to seep into the celluloid in places. Those sequences, as well as the stark black and white cinematography, combine to deliver an emotional and yet still recognisably Lynchian outing.