Elephant Man (1980, b/w) BBC Two, 12.05am ★★★★★

David Lynch’s tear-jerker stars John Hurt as the deformed 19th-century Londoner Joseph Merrick, who was exhibited in a freak show as “The Elephant Man”. After being rescued by Dr Frederick Treves (Anthony Hopkins), Merrick reveals an intelligent mind, hidden by his exploiters. Lynch’s peculiar vision of the world and an unsentimental script make for a timelessly moving drama.