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 |
| Genres | Sci-Fi/Fantasy |
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The Man Who Fell To Earth
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 (David Bowie) patents several basic devices, including a self-developing color film and music recordings in the shape of small silver balls, in order to amass the tremendous capital necessary to build a spaceship. Along the way he solicits the help of a crack patent lawyer (Buck Henry) and a country-fried small-town girl (Candy Clark) who introduces him to gin, which he soon begins to substitute for his customary glass of water. Newton debates the reality of returning to his dead world only to have the choice made for him when he is swept from the launchpad by government agents. After serving his time with men in black, he is released, blinded by x-rays, into the world. As a last drunken hurrah, he records an album under the name the Visitor with the hope that it may someday be broadcast and heard by his family and friends back home. Connected throughout by intercut clips of television programmes, classic movies, and film soundtracks, THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH is an fine example of the postmodern technique of work referring to its own medium and history. Like much 1970s sci-fi, it is heavily indebted to Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY; a scene in which an upset tray of cookies is juxtaposed with flying bodies echoes the film's flying bone and spaceship. Juxtaposing the free love enjoyed by Dr. Bryce (Rip Torn) with post-Altamont, pre-Reagan paranoia, Roeg's film manages to be at once artistically groundbreaking and a crystallisation of the post-Summer of Love era.
| Starring | David Bowie, Rip Torn, Candy Clark, Buck Henry |
|---|---|
| Director | Nicolas Roeg |
| Studio | STUDIO CANAL PLUS OPTIMUM |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs 13 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Sci-Fi/Fantasy |
| Language | English |
| Released | DVD: 22 Jan 2007 Production year: 1976 |
| Format | DVD |
The Man Who Fell To Earth (1976)
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Sign up Man Who Fell To Earth, The - Feature
In Nicolas Roeg's sci-fi tale based on the novel by Walter Tevis, a humanoid alien from a dried-up husk of a p...
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Sign up Man Who Fell To Earth, The - Bonus Features
Bonus Features Include: New and exclusive interview with Director Nicolas Roeg Watching the Alien Featurette...
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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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19 out of 24 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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19 out of 24 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!! -
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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The Man Who Fell To Earth
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 ...
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