The Man Who Fell to Earth

Nicolas Roeg (1976)

133min

bbfc_rating|ages_18_and_over Certificate

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Review

Our Score

by Alan Jones

This typically eccentric and multidimensional movie from director Nicolas Roeg (Walkabout, Don't Look Now) transforms Walter Tevis's novel into an enigmatic and chilling mosaic of corporate satire and effective science fiction. In his feature debut, a fragile-looking David Bowie is exactly right as the Swiftian starman who becomes fabulously wealthy from his intergalactic inventions, but soon gets corrupted by such earthbound vices as alcohol, television and sex. An established cult classic, the movie has always divided the critics, but whatever you think about its pretensions, vagueness and illogicalities, it remains a fascinating new-age fairy tale, with Bowie's "fall" open to numerous allegorical interpretations.

Summary

An alien is sent to Earth to find a way to save his dying home planet. He adopts a human identity and uses his advanced knowledge to become a successful tycoon. However, he is corrupted by the sensations and vices of human life and loses sight of his objective. Nicolas Roeg's sci-fi drama, starring David Bowie, Rip Torn, Candy Clark and Buck Henry.

Cast & Crew

Thomas Jerome Newton David Bowie

Nathan Bryce Rip Torn

Mary-Lou Candy Clark

Oliver Farnsworth Buck Henry

Peters Bernie Casey

Professor Canutti Jackson D Kane

Trevor Rick Riccardo

Arthur Tony Mascia

Elaine Linda Hutton

Jill Hilary Holland

Helen Adrienne Larussa

Jewellery store owner Lilybell Crawford

Receptionist Richard Breeding

Captain James Lovell Captain James Lovell

Director Nicolas Roeg

Other Information

Language: EnglishColourTheatrical distributor: Studio CanalGuidance: Contains violence, swearing, sex scenes and nudity. Available on: video, DVD and Blu-rayReleased on: 15 Jun 2012

Drama

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Nicolas Roeg (1976)

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