Movies by Michael Elphick

The Elephant Man
A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man being mistreated by his "owner" as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous façade, there is revealed a person of great intelligence and sensitivity. Based on the true story of Joseph Merrick (called John Merrick in the film), a severely deformed man in 19th century London.

Gorky Park
Police Inspector Renko tries to solve the case of three bodies found in Moscow's Gorky Park but finds his attempts to solve the crime impeded by his superiors. Working on his own, Renko seeks out more information and stumbles across a conspiracy involving the highest levels of the government.

The Element of Crime
Fisher, an ex-detective, decides to take one final case when a mysterious serial killer claims the lives of several young girls. Fisher, unable to find the culprit, turns to Osbourne, a writer who was once respected for his contributions to the field of criminology. Fisher begins to use Osbourne's technique, which involves empathizing with serial killers; however, as the detective becomes increasingly engrossed in this method, things take a disturbing turn.

Memed My Hawk
In 1920s Turkey, a young peasant is smitten with a beautiful young girl, who has been promised in marriage to the fat, dullard cousin of the province's powerful and corrupt governor. When an assassination attempt is made against the official, the young man flees his village and joins up with a group of outlaws fighting against the wealthy and powerful landowners who control the lives of the locals and make life miserable for them. The outlaws' successes prompt the governor to call in the Turkish army to capture or kill them.

Treasure Island
Enchanted by the idea of locating treasure buried by Captain Flint, Squire Trelawney, Dr. Livesey and Jim Hawkins charter a sailing voyage to a Caribbean island. Unfortunately, a large number of Flint's old pirate crew are aboard the ship, including Long Jane Silver.

The Ballad of Kid Divine: The Cockney Cowboy
The Ballad of Kid Divine: The Cockney Cowboy is a very funny spaghetti western-Peckinpah-Leone pastiche that sees Michael Elphick's charlatan elixir seller, Neil Morrissey and Martin Clunes as the notorious and the not so notorious Irish bounty hunters all in pursuit of Kid Divine (Jesse Birdsall) a baby faced killer with a $25,000 price tag on his head.

Which Side Are You On?
The documentary features the British miners and their family experiences told through songs, poems, pictures and words.

The Buttercup Chain
Born to twin sisters on the same day in London, France and Margaret are more like brother and sister than cousins. The close relationship between the cousins is suspended when Margaret is sent abroad for schooling. Now a young woman, Margaret returns to London and resumes her intimate connection with France.

The Knowledge
Four men attempt "The Knowledge" examination to qualify as London taxi drivers.

Blue Remembered Hills
On an idyllic summer afternoon in the summer of 1943, a group of children play in the West Country hills, fields and forests. With no adults around, they indulge in spontaneous games and horseplay - sometimes echoing the distant war, at other times revealing their own insecurities and petty vindictiveness.
A Good Human Story
A trio of journalists look into the murder of a young girl in a seaside town. For the men though it’s more about who gets the big story than solving the crime. (Memorable TV)
Ennenstadt Europa – The Making of The Element of Crime
Behind the scenes documentary of Lars von Trier's The Element of Crime (1984).

Bird Fancier
There's big money in pigeon racing if you've got a fast flyer, and Joe Desmond's blue-pied hen is a natural winner. But Joe's lucky streak with the birds has gone on a bit too long for the comfort of his competitors. It's time someone else had a turn. Mal Middleton's comedy was filmed on location in his home town of Sheffield.

The One and Only Phyllis Dixey
Aspiring dancer Phyllis Dixey makes her name as a stripper.