A human spirit story

Rating: 9/10 (1 December 2009)

A thought provoking story - the original trailer says something along the lines of it being part love story, part horror story, but not quite either, and that is true.
It is a moving story of the strength of the human spirit. You see this strength in many of the characters, specifically John (Joseph) Merrick, but also the doctor, Merrick's high society friends, his caring nurses, and his sideshow mates.
The sadness in this film is overpowered by the strength of the people in it, and the love and friendship introduced into Merrick's life.
A wonderful film.
See the wikipedia page on Joseph Merrick after watching to get the complete story of his life as the film takes a couple of liberties with the truth and to understand why his name was mistakenly thought to be John.