The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Nicolas Roeg

Writers:

Paul Mayersberg (writer)
Walter Tevis (novel)

Release Date:

26 May 1976 (Netherlands)

Genre:

Sci-Fi | Drama

Tagline:

You have to believe it to see it

Plot:

Thomas Jerome Newton is a humanoid alien who comes to Earth to get water for his dying planet. He starts...

Plot Keywords:

Dying Planet | Alien | Water | Surrealism | Oral Sex

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

David Bowie	...	Thomas Jerome Newton
Rip Torn	...	Nathan Bryce
Candy Clark	...	Mary-Lou
Buck Henry	...	Oliver Farnsworth
Bernie Casey	...	Peters
Jackson D. Kane	...	Professor Canutti
Rick Riccardo	...	Trevor
Tony Mascia	...	Arthur
Linda Hutton	...	Elaine
Hilary Holland	...	Jill
Adrienne Larussa	...	Helen
Lilybelle Crawford	...	Jewelery Store Owner
Richard Breeding	...	Receptionist
Albert Nelson	...	Waiter
Peter Prouse	...	Peters' Associate

Runtime:

139 min | Sweden:119 min (cut version)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo

Certification:

Norway:18 (1976) | New Zealand:R18 | Iceland:12 | Netherlands:12 | Argentina:16 | Australia:R | France:-12 | Sweden:15 | UK:X (original rating) | USA:R | West Germany:16 | Finland:K-16

Filming Locations:

Alamogordo, New Mexico, USA

Company:

British Lion Film Corporation

Trivia:

The music that Oliver Farnsworth is listening to in the first scene we see him in and in one of the last is Gustav Holst's "The Planets".

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Newton opens the cabinet mirror in the bathroom we can briefly see the reflection of a crew member.

Quotes:

Mary-Lou: I don't love you anymore.
Thomas Jerome Newton: And I don't love you.

Movie Connections:

References Solyaris (1972)

Soundtrack:

Star Dust

An under-appreciated gem

Bowie is perfectly cast as an alien who seeks water for his dying planet. This film is so sparse as to be misleading as to the depth of its development, and it takes considerable time to grasp the message on the screen. But when you do, it is devastating: it haunts me 30 years after seeing it. Bowie's character has, of course, super powers...but not of the comic book kind...which he uses to amass a fortune in order to finance his goal. He is drawn to earthly ways, seeks emotional contact, but is unable to connect on any level. Earthlings use him mercilessly, and he is truly alone. His failure to save his family seals his doom; he will outlive all around him. Science fiction of the best kind.