To all that believed in this man, bless you all! He was alive with feelings and a soul, he needed love just like we the world do.

May Joseph rest in peace. He had such a huge heart and beautiful soul. Any person who was close to him was blessed! He went through so much pain and difficulties, but he never complained. He was beauty personified, because his beauty came from his soul. Wish I could have known him!

I would look at him, no problem at all. How dare you call him a monstrosity? at least we can see his humanity, that makes us better than you!

When they ask what famous person should you like to have met,I would say John Merrick. He would have been charming company.

@yaboimaxwell9031

9 жыл бұрын

I agree. He was a very intelligent man.

@marin938

8 жыл бұрын

Beautiful statement lorraine only a real Gods angel could have said such waarm and gentle remark

@foxylorri64

8 жыл бұрын

+Marin Šundov well Thank you, such a lovely thing to say.:)

@dishchicken

8 жыл бұрын

it is Joseph not John FYI

I think the narrorator is John hurt who played the elephant man/Joseph merrick in David Lynch the elephant man

In this day and age, we call so many people ugly. We have no business doing so considering what some poor bastards have to go through.

i would do anything to go back and time and have a conversation with the man. what a beautiful human being he was.

rest in peace joseph

To think of how Joseph suffered is deeply upsetting. To see his poor skeleton in this film makes me cry right now. Its so little and fragile, and to know it was him is just too much.There arent the words to describe my feelings. How terrible it must have been for him as a child, and no one ever seems to think of that...Its just unbearable. He was a lovely,brave ,wonderful and intelligent man , and I wish I could tell him so.All my admiration and respect for him. My heart goes out to you Joseph.

thank you for the info

no one bothers much to look each other in the eye u know why? u can see a persons soul. joseph merrick was the closest thing to a monster, but he was human. And all u have to do is look into his eyes in his pictures. He has the KINDEST eyes i've ever seen. I can tell he was a brave, gentle, kind person. Look beyond whats on the outside

Re a previous comment:It is not just showing compassion for a dead person. Joseph's story has inspired many people all over the world, and it also educates - though peoples interest in his story - about the needs, dignity and feelings of anyone who is disabled, etc - anyone who is deemed ''different'' in fact in todays society. Joseph's story is relevant today.It makes people think, understand and show compassion for anyone who may suffer for whatever reason in these times too.

he was so beautiful in so many ways he deserved better

Your comment was a shock to me and I am humbled. I really dont feel I deserve your words . I'm not just saying this . You made me cry.

Thank you for those words... I totally agree with you, you really a kind woman

I saw this documentary some years ago on Discovery Channel and Discovery Health (and every now and again, it repeats) - it was one of the most fascinating and saddest things I've ever seen. It breaks my heart to think that this beautiful man had suffered so horribly and yet tried to remain humble, gentle and was kind to everyone he knew. Seeing his remains, especially (how bad his deformity was/is), makes me cry. At least, in the final years of his life, hopefully, he was happy.

He in my heart a wonderful man. I wish I could of met him not because of what he looked like but because of his love, his caring, his brain how smart and talented he was. Not many kind people out there. He was kind to everyone. I loved him for that. He woke the world up. He showed the evil people and the kind people. He was and still is my hero. I am very much like him personality wise I think there should of been more Joseph Merricks more love and he lived at a time things were bad.

This is a good documentry I wish they had the whole thing uploaded on here I remember watching this years ago. It was a good thing that Joseph was able to live at the hospital, best place for someone like him. None of his relatives ever came forward sad. And they didn't have nursing homes back then. You were a champion of courage Joseph god rest you soul! :)

@watchensee ...You may have seen that documentary on Discovery about him a few months ago, that was when they discovered the hearing loss. It was a very emotional programme, and showed how Joseph suffered everyday, even more than was first thought. I couldnt see it here, but one of my in-laws video'd it for me. When they recreated how Joseph spoke I just couldnt stop crying.

its so sad things like this happens... and people make fun of people for stuff like this. kids at my cousin's school made fun of her because she had a lump on her arm. she had freaking cancer. she died four months into her 6th grade year...

Such a lovely comment. I totally agree with you. Joseph had the most beautiful eyes ( they were brown, if you didnt already know), and the most beautiful expression. It was his compelling glance that began my interest in him.

Yes. That's what I'm suggesting, and many people think it's possible also - that he had both conditions combined.

Beg pardon, I've never heard of this documentary. Is it widely available? What is it called? It's... very well-done.

isn't it strange how suddenly people of the new generation show so much sympathy for this man's story? it goes to show you how much society has progressed.

A gentleman he was. A hero in my eyes. He was so smart, so tidy, enjoyed life of what he could. Joseph Merrick a true gentlemen a man that was very loving. His heart is what we loved his soul you saw it through his eyes. I can understand haveing the medical field having his body. Joseph would of wanted that he would want to help in anyway he could. He would want medical science to find out what happened to cause his bones and body to become this way to help others.A kind soul.

Do you possibly have the rest of the documentary? Could you possibly upload the whole thing? If its not too much trouble? Thank you.

just wondering if the room they showed at 2:38 was the original that Joseph lived in? thanks :)

@PicturelyYours Beautifully said

@MrsJosephMerrick I wondered about the hearing in his right ear. When you look at how it's postioned it's so far from where it should be. I read about him some years back on the internet that's how I found out about the hearing & vision problems. I also read that some of the people that he worked with didn't knw how to read & write, and Joseph had to write things down for them.Joseph was also a man of class! I would really like to see this new documentry about him.

Yeah, and we can't think on our own issues as society: it's better to care with dead people to show compassion than to show compassion with our contemporary brothers.

touching...

@ElMarkyMix I think you mean the recent documentary, shown a couple of months ago in UK. Its actually called''Meet the Elephant man'', and if you type in search theres only at the moment 2 clips from the programme - these was shown on Discovery channel website. If you go on the internet, and try Discovery Channel and the title, maybe you'll come to it, theres I think one or two more clips, info and cgi photos you can download.

I know he was, I never refuted that. Ever since I saw the movie and the documentaries on Joseph, I've been very interested in his life-story. And I agree on that Joseph's life is a lesson to us all.

Beg pardon, I've never heard of this documentary. What is it called, and where can it be obtained? It's very well done, though tends to skim over detail.

@watchensee He did keep in contact with his Uncle Charles.He sent him ''Robinson Crusoe'' when he lived in the hospital as a present. Joseph lived with him and his Aunt Jane a while after he left his father and stepmother...but he realised he couldnt stay with them. He considered himself a burden because he couldnt find work, and contribute.... and entered Leicester workhouse. He was so strong and brave , even at such a young age.

Treves was such an amazing human being, and so was Merrick for clinging to whatever little fabric of life he had left. David Lynch's movie is pretty damn good too, and seems pretty accurate according to the wiki.

what is the name of the song playing @ about 5:00 min?

@watchensee You are incredibly kind. Thank you for that. Great insight, too :0)

@WatsDaWurd so true. many people only see the bad things in society, we need to look more to the positive things.

does anyone have the whole documentary?

Cool! I'd love to read it. Please send me a link.

what's the name of the entire production?

Rest in peace

@IVH93 Thankyou. After all, these days it would be quite resonable to keep a little sample for research, I wouldnt object to that, and an exact replica of his skeleton could be made.And then Joseph could be given a proper and respectful funeral that was never given him in life(they did have a memorial service I believe). The thing is, I get really emotional about it. To know that skeleton is really him just gets to me, its so little, fragile and sad. It just makes me cry.

@Luke1111000 Unfortunately, the rooms Joseph lived in no longer exist. The Hospital has in the past years made extensive renovations, and his rooms were destroyed. Even the gardens where he used to walk are considerably smaller than they were. Very sad.

I have no idea about medical science (I'm 15 and just doing some research out of interest), but could he have both of the conditions, seeing as he displays symptoms of both?

@watchensee The ear isnt positioned far back so much as ''turned over'' where the deformity of Joseph's face pushes it downwards. The position isnt the cause of the deafness, its because when thy made a scan of his skull they could see more abnormal bone growths actually in his ear - in fact, blocking it....Theres just a few clips of the docu on utube, theyre about how he walked,slept, died,and the one where the finished cgi has him ''talking''. Have a look and you'll find them....

@IVH93 Youre sweet. I wanted to tell you at once because you sounded upset that his skeleton is only for researchers and student doctors to look at, it is NOT on public display, neither are the plaster casts of his limbs and face. The public can instead view his hat and veil, his only surviving letter (to the kind lady who first shook his hand),and the photo of him wearing his best clothes in the Royal London Hospital Museum, which does NOT charge an entry fee.I hope that makes you feel better.

what is proteus syndrome ??

@skorafreestyle Just to add, of course when I used the word relatives - I meant the descendents of his family who live now. Merrick had no direct descendants. Also, he knew while he lived in the hospital that his remains would be kept for research.

@WatsDaWurd What a beautiful thing to write

One thing I never really understood about one of Joseph's problems was that, even after he lived in the hospital (and of course they would have insisted or helped Joseph take baths for both well-being and health), the growths on the back of his head and back smelled horrible. I know I'm not a doctor or nurse (although when I don't sing or practice, I do read medical books), but perhaps there was some dirt amid those growths they couldn't clean out?

@28ellehcim I still stand by what I say,because I really believe it would happen.But of course I totally understand you. Ive never seen his remains in real myself, and I genuinely have no wish to. And just seeing them in photos is enough to make me cry. His skeleton is so fragile, vulnerable and sad to see, its just overwhelming. I know hes ''no longer there'', but its still Joseph too, and it shows just how much he suffered, even as he had such an indomitable spirit, and never complained. xx

Has anyone else noticed that John Hurt played the Elephant Man in the film, and he's the one narrating!

What of his mother? What deformity/handicap did she have? (if any)

I merely was curious as to what could have caused that particular detail of his deformity and wondered if it was something to due with the disease itself or something else entirely.

I think it would be a nice touch to knigth this man. If only there was some way of showing this man how we understand illness today..!!

@28ellehcim I do agree with you completely, as do many admirers of Mr Merrick...However, and unfortunately, I would always be concerned that his memorial or grave would be defaced by horrible heartless people, which would be very upsetting indeed - that is why I think, for the moment at least, its better his remains stay where they are - safe.

@silvermystic2001 Joseph was born a perfect baby. The first signs of his illness started when he was about 2 when a bump appeared on his lower lip, which increased in size until it caused the upper lip to be pushed outwards, and lumps on the left side of his body.

Is this narrated by John Hurt?

so sorry for this guy it must have literally been hell on earth for him considering all of the teasing staring and harassing

It was shown on British television about 10 years ago.

@watchensee ...and he'd walk about the streets hungry and afraid to go home to his father and stepmother .She was an evil woman, denying him a full meal, saying he hadnt earned it, &eventually his father beat him so hard when he returned from another terrible day trying to sell, Joseph just left, never to make contact with him again.That was when his Uncle took him in for a while...When I imagine Joseph walking around the streets like that, looking so awful and pitiful it just breaks my heart.

@watchensee I had to look it up! But youre right, he was a Leo, being born on 5 Aug 1862. :) Before becoming a hawker(salesman),he worked in a cigar factory called Freemens, straight after he left school, but as his right hand grew more deformed and clumsy, eventually he had to leave.That whe his father got him the hawking licence. It was terrible.Children would follow him, people wouldnt open their doors when they knew it was him.In the end, he couldnt make the quota his father set him...

@Baltimora1957 I absolutely agree with you...Poor Joseph is still an ''exhibit'' even after death. It is enough. I would accept if a little piece of his remains be kept for research,but the rest be buried with dignity at last. Its terrible to see that little skeleton of his.But somewhere quiet - because I know people could be cruel.So I think the hospital should make a memorial in the gardens of the hosp where he used to walk in the evenings,&it would be there people could pay their respects.

One of the pieces is "Stabat Mater" by Pergolesi

@watchensee Yes, Marian Eliza - but, like his mother, no one knows how she was ''crippled'', the term covers many conditions.Recent research has also discovered that Joseph had another little brother, apart from William who died from scarlett fever. His name was John and he only lived 3 months.

if I had known you I dann sure would have helped you you were a kind and gentle soul hope one day I have the pleasure of meeting you cause you'll have a loyal friend forever

How can one not love true beauty?

@watchensee ...Yes, the docu was first shown on Discovery channel in UK , then a few months later in America. Its a shame its not more widely shown because its excellent.Maybe some nice person will be able to upload on utube sometime.

poor guy :'(

@AnotherIncipient He WAS intelligent,he spoke about subjects which surprised his fellow wotrkers,&he loved to talk about those things he enjoyed,such as books.It is correct though about the panto he saw.He was absolutely drawn into it and spoke about it weeks after.He had a very creative &vivid imagination, pretending(for eg) to himself when he was alone, how it might be for him to act the hero of his novels,and ''act out'' the words he would have said to a woman who would have loved him...

Yes, apparently they're bringing out a new film about him too. Hopefully it will introduce him to more people. I also think that they should read about him in schools.

What I was wondering exactly what caused the smell? Was it the flesh somehow infected by prior ill-health and poverty? Dirt? Sweat trapped within the folds? But anyway, that's good that they DID manage to cut the smell down. Poor Joseph. :(

I had a crush on him when I was a teenager. Actually, all of my first loves were dead Victorians...Edgar Allan Poe, Vincent van Gogh, Joseph Merrick, Charlie Chaplin... I was a strange girl. Still am

@Sirradal Joseph Merrick's mother and father did not have any deformities, however she was crippled. (No one is sure if it was due to any disease or her long years of working as a housemaid, before she married Joseph's father) His younger brother William Arthur had no deformities although his younger sister Marion Eliza was later proven to have suffered from a disease called myelitis, which is an inflammation of the spinal cord.

He was supposed to sleep sitting up (like on a chair) when he tried sleeping like a normal person, he died in his sleep. I forgot what it did to his head.

@watchensee ...On an even sadder note, it was his Uncle Charles who came identity him formally when he died.

@watchensee He was almost completely deaf in his right ear, and he couldnt see so well from his right eye.But his vision was good enough for him to read - alot! - when he was at the hospital!

@skorafreestyle I read somewhere, a long while ago, that ( as I understand it) his relatives consider his remains as a ''memorial''. Its not for me to comment on their point of view, thats their right. As much as many admirers of Mr Merrick wish very much his remains could be buried with a proper Christian funeral( Merrick was a religious gentleman), we also consider that at at least his remains are kept with respect, and are safe.

I have Joseph's portrait Tattooed on my leg rest In Peace never forgotten brave soul ❤️

@MrsJosephMerrick OK, thanks for the options to make that clear! And thank you again:) Well, I still think it's unfair that they have to have it though. They should put that case to rest.

@MrJon1994 I totally agree with you. He should no longer be called that. He should be called ONLY by his name.

we've grown fickle and ignorant in different ways though

@MrsJosephMerrick God that man indured alot of painful Bullsh*t in his life damn Father & Stepmother! }:( Bless his Uncle! I know his Mother was good to him, sadly she fell ill and passed away. I heard something about that Joseph had a Sister, and she was crippled since birth?

I came back here to voice an opinion,I hope you dont mind.When I think of what was done to Joseph after he died to preserve his skeleton makes me distressed and sickens me.I know it was done for medical reasons etc, and he himself guessed what might happen to him...But, I think its about time his remains were buried with dignity.I would be the first person to lay flowers on his grave.I feel really deeply about it. Thanks.

@jables183 He was the eldest son, he had a brother &sister.His brother William died when a child, &his little sister Marian was also crippled in some way. His mother ,Mary Jane, loved him very much, but died when he was about 11. HIs father remarried, &his stepmother was very cruel to him, denying him meals, because he couldnt find work, &his father beat him - so he left home.... The only member of his family he kept in contact with was his Uncle Charles.Abridged explanation,I hope it helps.

I still wish they would let the medical part of it go and give him a burrial. I would think by not people would like to have a grave and body in it to visit and pay homage to.

@diane189444 You're right. I had no idea what I was thinking and I made a stupid, stupid comment. I feel dead bad for saying it now and I've removed it. Please don't get me wrong. I loved Merrick, I didn't meant to insult him at all, he's one of the most interesting and greatest people ever to live. Hopefully now my comment is gone from the video we can forget this ever happened and I'm sorry. I'm sorry, but more importantly I'm just need to think before I post. Thanks for reminding me of this

7:55 is that the actual skeleton of joseph merrick or is it just a model

I recently saw a musical version of the Elephant Man called Face to Face. I don't know much about the Elephant Man, and I didn't think the musical did him much justice, It seemed to say he had more of a simple mind. They went to the theatre and he believed that the characters were real and would cheer them on as they fought an ogre. I had heard he was rather intelligent. Is this the truth?

Did any of Merrick's DNA survive? All they would need would be one scrap of tissue or marrow. Was it all destroyed in the boiling and bleaching process? If just a little tissue survived inside the casts that were made the DNA could be amplified. Just curious.

@Maximillionaire666 I want you to know I in no way would ever make a comment that I could not look at him. I looked at him as a person. He had more of a heart than most of you people out there he is my hero and will always be. One wonderful man in this world.

Of course people sympathized for Merrick back then, they even allowed him to live at the hospital.

Joseph Merrick had Proteus syndrome, not nf although proteus syndrome is like nf it is ussually far more debilitating and disfiguring

@staphinfection The film was mostly inaccurate -Mr Merrick was never treated cruelly while he worked the fairs in England.He was respected &made freinds, &saved money.Neither was he at the hospital. Most painful is the slander put upon his mother,who in fact loved him very much, and died when he was about 11, the worst thing to happen to him.The film was based on Treves memoirs, which were inaccurate & full of ''artistic license'',as well the ''deliberate mistake'' of calling him John.

@EmixEmergency That's extremely nice of you. :D

well fit

@TraceurHarryG1 It is not a model, it is real. And his remains are for researchers or medical students, etc only to study - it is not for public display.

@cheytacbanger Yes, I think I agree with you about that. It could have been worse - terrible in fact.At least he passed away in a comfortable, clean and safe place, where he was given respect - so perhaps when the end came for him(accident or not) it was peaceful for him.And yes, youre right about his remains, and its right and proper theyre only viewed by professionals(even as photos are available ,but its not the same is it as people staring at the real thing as though for entertainment).