Eraserhead or The Elephant Man

Just curious as to what people think, I personally prefer Elephant Man.

I really want to say Eraserhead for some reason, but I have to go with Elephant Man.

What’s your point of comparison? Or are you taking a poll?

I like Elephanthead and Eraser Man.

I like erasing elephants, and beheading men

I have Elephantitis of the Head. Erase me, Mang.

ERASERHEAD is by far and away one of the few films that were just perfect in every detail, from the costuming, the set design, the special effects, the sound design, the actors, and the script. It sets a mood like no other film I’ve seen with the opening ten minutes that is pretty much silent with the exception of ambient noise.

Elephant Man has many of the same superficial qualities as Eraserhead, but the script only allows the audience to pity Joseph Merrick. He makes no real choices, takes no real actions of his own accord, and we are asked to sympathize only as other people act upon him. The movie just always observes his character at a distance both emotionally and physically. The only time we get to see inside Joseph’s head is through Anthony Hopkins character and in a dream sequence that still distances us by focusing on Merrick’s deformity.

In contrast to Eraserhead which the original tag-line suggest may only be “a dream of dark and disturbing things”. Even though the outcome of Henry’s actions may not make logical sense, the audience can still understand Henry’s pensiveness and desire, which by the end of the film turns into loathing, rage, and impulsive behavior. All this leads Henry to murder his “child” which results in his entire world collapsing in on himself. Where the only relief he finds is in the embrace of a woman who sings “In heaven everything is fine”, implying Henry’s death. As for The Elephant Man the reasons for his suicide just seem entirely arbitrary.

Both films are very good, but I prefer Eraser head

I agree that Eraserhead feels perfect (“of a piece”). Henry’s “what fresh hell is this” responses to what is going on around him is a major asset, he is a sympathetic character one can be with and brought into the frame with, he is observing as is the viewer – mystified, frightened, horrified and really sad but helpless against the tide of what is unfolding – which is exactly the existential nightmare millions of people live out every day (“most men live their lives in quiet desperation waiting for something to happen” whoever said that, not me, comes to mind ) – could a more miserable domestic den be imagined than Henry & Mary under the moth eaten blanket with the ghastly ET like creature mewling puking on the table..I don;t think so:):) genius work.

I felt the same “feels right/of a piece” thing with Gummo, with Solomon the equivalent of Henry as fellow traveller (in Trash Humpers you are not given anyone to be with, you are on the outside alone purely as voyeur which is ok too)….but if Henry had been “ga ga”and out of it, it would have been a whole different and far less interesting/engaging experience.

Elephant Man is a literal tale, and I haven’t seen it in years so apples/pears. It was very good as I recall but I am more attracted to Eraserhead. I always remembered that close up of the baby’s jelly like eye and the wind howling outside. eeeek.

Elephant Man proved Lynch could go somewhat mainstream and he was better for it.
Straight Story (the film where he most curves his odd for odd sake manner) is his best film.
I think these days he is trying to relive his beginings (low budget mindfucks) and that is why his daughter was surpassed him

@HOUSE OF LEAVES, I really just wanted to see how people liked their Lynch: Surreal or straight forward? I’m just extremely happy to see the contrast in answers. To be honest, I thought everyone might just say Eraserhead, but I find the answers (especially the longer ones) very interesting. That’s what I love about MUBI, everyone has an different, but still relevant opinion.

Ah. Personally I like Lynch all the way around, though I haven’t seen Elephant Man since I was a kid. Loved Inland Empire and Mulholland Drive, but Lost Highway is only half a good movie (the first half) and I think I’ve seen enough of Fire Walk to know I don’t like it.

And I’m still mad at Eraserhead for knocking out James Benning in Round 1. Bastard cow fetus baby.

@Dennis Brian You think his daughter has surpassed him?? That is one outragreous statement. I tip my hat to your boldness.

I choose Elephant Man, great film. Eraserhead is too, but it’s just genuinely depressing. It gets into your head and stays there.

West Boxing Helena and Survillence are very interesting films

I don’t think we were supposed to just focus on the pity over his deformity but also the self congratulatory motives others had for helping him. Even the people who were kind to him defined him based on his deformity. They saw him as more of a goodwill mission than a person. The movie showed a whole lot of the human being he really was, but we as an audience can’t separate out the base emotional reaction we get from a physical image we’re genetically predisposed to consider repulsive and see them. We’re either going to loathe him or pity him to avoid loathing him.

When I saw Elephant Man, I felt the the tension building up to see what he looks like. Is he going to be a disgusting, mindless monster of a man? But when the curtains are drawn, all you see is a poor, suffering soul. That’s what really stuck with me.