Being Different (1981): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1981, Being Different is a documentary film directed by Harry Rasky, running about 100 minutes. “The true story of a modern-day Elephant Man… and other human oddities.” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. A tribute to the spirit and humanity of people who are physically different from the average: very tall and very large men and women, a bearded woman and her long-time husband, Siamese twins joined at the midsection, and several little people including actor Billy Barty. We meet some at Gibsonton, Florida, where carnival folk winter. They talk about their lives and accomplishments. The camera also goes on the road to visit a grandfather with a distinctive face, a legless mechanic from Kentucky on a second honeymoon in LA, a marathon runner and motivational speaker who has no feet, a karate student with partial limbs, and an armless, down-to-earth mom in Texas.

Who’s in it. Being Different stars Christopher Plummer as Self (Narrator) (voice), Billy Barty as Self, Bob Melvin as Self (The Man with Two Faces) and Sandra Elaine Allen as Self (Tallest woman in the world), among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 5.7/10, Being Different has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Being Different page.

If you liked it. Fans of Being Different tend to enjoy One Direction: This Is Us, Burn the Stage: The Movie, BTS World Tour: Love Yourself - Japan Edition and Senna.