The Man Who Fell To Earth
1976
In Nicolas Roeg's sci-fi tale based on the novel by Walter Tevis, a humanoid alien from a dried-up husk of a planet falls to Earth in a spaceship--and later falls again metaphorically through alcohol abuse and the manipulations of a hostile culture. Arriving as a secret ambassador from a dying world, the masquerading Mr. Newton .. Read more
| Starring | David Bowie, Rip Torn, Candy Clark, Buck Henry |
|---|---|
| Director | Nicolas Roeg |
| Run time | 133 mins |
| Genres | Sci-Fi/Fantasy |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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No, not Nicolas Roeg's sci-fi film of 1976 with David Bowie, but a made-for-TV remake starring Lewis Smith as the weird alien and Beverly D'Angelo as the earthling who tends to his every comfort while he absorbs our capitalist culture and looks for a way to export water to his arid planet. Intended to herald a TV series based on Walter Tevis's source novel, this inevitably pales in comparison with Roeg's visually dazzling adaptation.
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A weird piece of intellectual science fiction made weirder by longueurs of all varieties: obscure narrative, voyeuristic sex, pop music and metaphysics. Not an easy film or a likeable one, despite its great technical skill.
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Most helpful member's review
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17 out of 22 people found this review helpful
Nicolas Roeg's Best Film?
A previous review seems to illustrate 'The Man Who Fell To Earth' is a love it or hate it experience. I personally love it - I think it's the best film Nicolas Roeg ever made and possibly my favourite film ever. The great thing about it is that it is so multi-layered that it appears different every time you watch it. With each viewing you notice fresh details and nuances.
Bowie's performance is impeccable - can you imagine anybody else in this role? Easily his best film performance. And he looks fantastic! A classic - Five stars!! -
Most recent members' review
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
wonderfully thought-provoking
This is a very arty film but with a convincing and effective story. The images are beautifully representative and capture the feelings while improvising the detail.
David Bowie is excellent. His emergence as an alien using commercial means to escape this planet is captivating in its audacity. He almost succeeds, but for the corrupt and corrupting influences upon him. Cindy looks to him for her salvation but he is quite unable to provide it. Nor can he save his family on their alien planet. Everyone will have his own understanding of this great film. For me this is an alternative outcome to a biblical analogy which I find very satisfying. An important film. -
News and features
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Bowie's son: 'I want to direct my dad - but not yet'
- 23 Jun 2009
David Bowie's son Duncan Jones is keen to direct his famous father in one of his future big screen projects - but only when he feels he is fully competent as a filmmaker. Jones, who was born Zowie Bowie, has wowed critics with his directorial debut, tense space drama Moon, which hits cinemas at the end of June (09). Despite expressing his desire to cast his dad, who has acted in movies including Labyrinth and The Man Who Fell To Earth, he insists he won't do it until he has made a name for... Read more
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