The Elephant Man (1980)
John Hurt: John Merrick
Photos
Quotes
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John Merrick : I AM NOT AN ELEPHANT! I AM NOT AN ANIMAL! I AM... A HUMAN BEING! I... AM... A... MAN!
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John Merrick : People are frightened by what they don't understand.
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John Merrick : [after seeing pictures of Dr. Treves' family] Would you care to see my mother?
Dr. Frederick Treves : [surprised] Your mother? Yes please.
[John pulls out a small portrait]
Mrs. Treves : Oh but she's... Mr. Merrick, she's beautiful!
John Merrick : Oh, she had the face of an angel!
[sadly]
John Merrick : I must have been a great disappointment to her.
Mrs. Treves : No, Mr. Merrick, no. No son as loving as you could ever be a disappointment.
John Merrick : 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.
[Mrs. Treves begins to cry]
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Mrs. Treves : I'm very pleased to meet you, Mr. Merrick.
John Merrick : I'm very pleased...
[John begins to cry]
Dr. Frederick Treves : What is it, John? What's the matter?
John Merrick : It's just that I-I'm not used to being treated so well by a beautiful woman...
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John Merrick : My life is full because I know I am loved.
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Mrs. Kendal : Why, Mr. Merrick, you're not an elephant man at all.
John Merrick : Oh no?
Mrs. Kendal : Oh no... no... you're a Romeo.
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John Merrick : There's something I've been meaning to ask you for some time now.
Dr. Frederick Treves : What's that?
John Merrick : Can you cure me?
Dr. Frederick Treves : No. We can care for you, but we can't cure you.
John Merrick : [matter-of-factly] No. I thought not.
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John Merrick : [haltingly] Hello... my name is... John Merrick.
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John Merrick : The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me...
[he continues alone in the room]
Carr Gomm : [outside of the room] It was a brave attempt, Treves, but the man was obviously simply mouthing words taught by you.
Dr. Frederick Treves : Yes. Well, I'm sorry to have wasted your time.
John Merrick : He restoreth my soul...
Carr Gomm : He simply doesn't belong here. He'd be much better off somewhere else where he can be constantly looked after. I'm sorry, Treves, that things have turned out this way. Good day to you.
John Merrick : Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for Thou art with me, Thy rod and Thy staff...
Dr. Frederick Treves : Mr. Carr Gomm!
Carr Gomm : Yes, what is it?
Dr. Frederick Treves : It's that. I didn't teach him that part.
[the two reenter the room]
John Merrick : My cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
