The Man Who Fell to Earth is a daring exploration of science fiction as an art form. The story of an alien on an elaborate rescue mission provides the launching pad for Nicolas Roeg’s visual tour de force, a formally adventurous examination of alienation in contemporary life. Rock legend David Bowie completely embodies the title role, while Candy Clark, Buck Henry, and Rip Torn turn in pitch-perfect supporting performances. The film’s hallucinatory vision was obscured in the American theatrical release, which deleted nearly twenty minutes of crucial scenes and details. The Criterion Collection is proud to present Roeg’s full, uncut version, in this exclusive new director-approved high-definition widescreen transfer.
Starring: David Bowie, Rip Torn, Candy Clark, Buck Henry, Bernie Casey
Directed by: Nicolas Roeg
Runtime: 139 minutes
Studio: Criterion
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Humans always seem to end up fighting aliens in the movies. If they attack us we naturally fight back. If they come in peace we want to imprison them and in some cases take them apart to learn more. In Nicolas Roeg’s The Man Who Fell to Earth, we have an alien that comes to Earth not to meet us or bring war upon us but simply for our water.
Thomas Jerome Newton (David Bowie) appears in New Mexico out of nowhere at the start of the film. He sells his ring and heads for the city to meet with Oliver Farnsworth (Buck Henry), an attorney with knowledge of patents. Newton hands him a cluster of patents which the attorney is stunned with and assures Newton they are worth millions. Newton soon forms World Enterprises Corporation, a leading company in technological innovations, with Farnsworth running things while Newton remains reclusive. What no one knows is that Newton is an alien in disguise, his business dealings all part of an elaborate plan to build a spaceship and transport water back to his home planet, Anthea, which is in the midst of a severe drought and where Newton’s wife and children wait for him. In the years it takes to realise his dream, Newton is exposed and destroyed by the many temptations that Earth has to offer.
I’m a big fan of David Bowie and remember watching him in Labyrinth when I was growing up in the eighties. Bowie’s legendary album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars has one or two echoes of The Man Who Fell to Earth. Ziggy Stardust was an alien that came to earth and became a rock star only to be destroyed by his own fans. Newton is a seemingly harmless alien, raising the capital for an impressive empire within weeks of his arrival. He is quiet, cautious and drinks a lot of water, a luxury on Earth that he and his family no longer enjoy in their own world. Having set up his business Newton returns to New Mexico where he meets Mary-Lou (Candy Clark) in a hotel. She becomes a close companion and introduces him to religion, television, alcohol and sex. Alcohol and television in particular gradually eat away at Newton.
I enjoyed The Man Who Fell to Earth. Bowie is great in the lead as Newton and he is supported by a good cast. When knowledge of what Newton is comes to the fore we bear witness to mankind’s ability to destroy things they do not understand. Newton’s personal and professional relationships are severely tested and he is encouraged to lose himself in the embrace of alcohol. All the time the clock is ticking and we see images of Newton and the family he left behind, the wife and two children slowly dying on their desert of a planet. There are some striking effects and imagery throughout the film, almost psychedelic moments, but it all adds well to the overall story.
The Man Who Fell to Earth is like an anti-E.T. movie. Newton’s rise and fall is tragic and cruel, a misunderstood alien being trying to help his family and turning to Earth as a last resort only to find many temptations waiting for him here.
Verdict: 4/5
(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)
About the Author:
I was born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England and have always been a bookworm and enjoyed creative writing at school. In 1999 I created the Elencheran Chronicles and have been writing ever since. My first novel, Fezariu's Epiphany, was published in May 2011. When not writing I'm a lover of films, games, books and blogging. I now live in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, with my wife, Donna, and our six cats - Kain, Razz, Buggles, Charlie, Bilbo and Frodo.
David M. Brown – who has written 673 posts on Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave.
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Nov 25, 2012 @ 07:29:35
I've never seen this, but I did enjoy Bowie in Labrynth. He's an intense actor. I'm betting I'd like this movie. Sounds sad, though.
Shannon at The Warrior Muse
Nov 25, 2012 @ 11:35:00
Thanks for commenting, Shannon.
It is a sad film and very different to Labyrinth, which is an undoubted classic. If you love Bowie I'd consider this one. He also put in an excellent performance in The Prestige. That one is worth checking out too if you haven't seen it already.