The film depicts a succesion of structurally similar scenes of apparently motiveless shootings, without music, commentary, explanation, or - with one brutal exception - dialogue.

"It is said that for those living in Northern Ireland, the Troubles are as easy to ignore as an elephant in your living room". Alan Clarke, Director of Elephant.

Before Clarke's premature death from cancer on 24 July 1990 in London, he was experimenting with a minimalist style. 

Elephant - his penultimate film - is the most extreme example, a 16mm colour film of eighteen killings in Northern Ireland.

Cast - Gary Walker; Bill Hamilton; Michael Foyle; Danny Small; Robert Taylor; Joe Cauley; Noel McGee; Patrick Condren; Andrew Downs; Terence Doyle; Michael Liebmann; Gavin Bloomer; Barry Brent; Paul Nemeer; Sam Doyle; Burt Murray; Tim Loane; Kenny Harris; Paddy Rocks; Ken McIlroy; Hamish Fyfe; Trevor Moore; William Walker; Brian Giffen; Billy Dee; Michael Fieldhouse; William McAllister; Alan Craig; Stephen Potter; David McDade, Mark O'Donnell; James Moore; Mike Maxwell; Michael Magee; Nigel Craig; Liam Hefferon; B.J. Hogg; Bobby Stinton; Dave Bustard; Brian MacGabhann; David Smyth; Niall McLean; Director - Alan Clarke; Producer - Danny Boyle; Photography - Philip Dawson, John Ward; Editor - Don O'Donovan; Design - Paul Clarke; Production Manager - Jennifer McAufield; Locations Manager - Kevin Jackson; Production Assistant - Christine Sufferin; Asistant Floor Managers - Stephen Killen, Mark Huffam; Dubbing mixer - Ken Hains; Sound - Peter Lindsay; Armourer - Ken Bond; Visual effects - Peter Wragg; Make-up - Kathy Carruth; Costume - Maggie Donnelly; Lighting Gaffer - Allister Maxwell; Properties Buyer - John McCready; Scenic Supervisor - John Jenkins.

• Alan Clarke Filmography - BFI Screenonline
• Alan Clarke biography - BFI Screenonline
• Elephant: The Film That Changed My Life - The Guardian