Well, I don’t remember the experience that well. It was quite a long time ago and I have an appalling memory, but I certainly remember being deeply affected. The final scene of him laying prostrate on the bed – knowing full well he could and would die doing it?! Just so, so sad! I very rarely cry watching films. I’m never easily moved. I can never suspend my disbelief enough. But I did with this. John Hurt’s performance is astounding! I cried buckets! The final scene stayed with me for many days afterwards. And to this day, when I hear Barber’s Adagio For Strings, I can see those final scenes in my head. Adagio For Strings has a very Pavlovian affect on my tear ducts as a consequence.
If you haven’t guessed by now, the film I refer to is The Elephant Man.