Philip Anglim and Kevin Conway reprised their Broadway roles as Joseph Merrick and Frederick Treves, respectively, delivering performances that captured the same emotional depth that had earned the play critical acclaim. Unlike the 1980 film by David Lynch, this TV adaptation stayed closer to the theatrical production, focusing heavily on dialogue and Merrick’s humanity amidst his physical struggles.
Fun Fact: Philip Anglim received a Tony Award nomination for his portrayal of Merrick on Broadway, a role that required him to convey Merrick’s physical deformities entirely through body language and no prosthetics.
Have you seen this made for TV adaptation of The Elephant Man? How do you think it compares to the 1980 film or the Broadway production?