Dr. Frederick Treves (Anthony Hopkins) is surgeon/physician in Victorian England. He learns of a badly deformed man named John Merrick (John Hurt). His face is so badly misshapen from a rare congenital defect that, when not hiding from society, Merrick earns a meager living as a living curiosity. He is badly mistreated by his handlers who are convinced he is an imbecile. Treves persuades Merrick’s keepers to allow him to display Merrick at a medical lecture. They consent, however, Merrick is badly beaten by them upon his return. Treves is called to help Merrick and Treves insists that he now care for Merrick. The bullies insist that Treves is no better than they because he wants to use Merrick to indulge his own curiosity. In the process, Treves warms to Merrick and discovers him to actually be a quiet, but very intelligent, bright human being. Treves begins slowly bringing people by the hospital to visit Merrick. No sooner than does Merrick start trusting his fellow man again, a night porter cruelly exploits Merrick for his own sordid ends.