The Man Who Fell to Earth (Special Edition)

by Starz / Anchor Bay

$14.98
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Sales Rank:14311 (lower is better)
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Director:Nicolas Roeg
Release Date:2003-02-11
Label:Starz / Anchor Bay
UPC:013131147797
Binding:DVD
Publication Date:2003
Published By:Starz / Anchor Bay
ASIN:B00007JMCX
Category:DVD

Actors and Actresses

Editorial Reviews and Product Descriptions

Amazon.com

While other films directed by Nicolas Roeg have attained similar cult status (including Walkabout and Don't Look Now), none has been as hotly debated as this languid but oddly fascinating adaptation of the science fiction novel by Walter Tevis. David Bowie plays the alien of the title, who arrives on Earth with hopes of finding a way to save his own planet from turning into an arid wasteland. He funds this effort by capitalizing on several highly lucrative inventions, and in so doing becomes the powerful leader of an international corporate conglomerate. But his success has negative consequences as well--his contact with Earth has a disintegrating effect that sends him into a tailspin of disorientation and metaphysical despair. The sexual attention of a cheerful young woman (Candy Clark) doesn't do much to change his outlook, and his introduction to liquor proves even more devastating, until, finally, it looks as though his visit to Earth may be a permanent one. The Man Who Fell to Earth is definitely not for every taste--it's a highly contemplative, primarily visual experience that Roeg directs as an abstract treatise on (among other things) the alienating effects of an over-commercialized society. Stimulating and hypnotic or frightfully dull, depending on your receptiveness to its loosely knit ideas, it's at least in part about not belonging, about being disconnected from the world--about being a stranger in a strange land when there's really no place like home. --Jeff Shannon.

Customer Reviews

Moon who fell to earth - Reviewed on 2008-11-23
* * * * *

Great product. A1 condition.
Postage always slow to New Zealand but I guess we are at the end of the planet. But know its just how it is cant be changed and as good as it gets.
But great service and everything good. Happy. Thanks
The Man Who Fell to Earth - CRITERION edition - Reviewed on 2008-11-14
* * * * *

The Man Who Fell to Earth from 1976 is a very original movie. The basic story is about an alien (David Bowie) stranded on Earth who is longing for his home planet. I don't think more should be said about the plot and so on, it's best to view this remarkable and unpredictable film not knowing too much in advance. Let it be said that there are several possible interpretations and some ambiguities, and that alienation is a central theme.
Personally I find this almost two and a half hour long movie totally captivating. The transfer of the Criterion edition is fantastic, and it is good to see a movie not about the 70s but actually made in the 70s with picture quality as good as new. There's a commentary track, several intreviews and a booklet. And Criterion even puts in Walter Tevis novel which the film is based on! After seeing the movie I will get on with the novel right away.
The men who fell to earth - Reviewed on 2008-10-30
* * * * *

This is a very strange movie, but it's cool at the same time. It's not for childen. and i wouldn't want it to be. I don't care how old it is, but, i think the weirder it is the better. They could make it a little more weird though, make it more scary.

I love David Bowie's music.
David Bowe oddity - Reviewed on 2008-08-19
*

Good actor/bad movie: Very strange movie and not worth the caliber of actor that is David Bowe. The movie content is unrealistic. Why a good-looking, rich man like David Bowe would have anything to do with a brainless bimbo like the motel maid he hooked up with (until she got old and fat) is not believable. They could have written it where he met a beautiful, intelligent and sensitive woman who enriched his life as he traveled through it as an alien until he outlived her - something like the Highlander - so that the movie had some merit with a quality actor like David. Since he has so few movies as it is, I put it in my library as a collector item, only. Sorry, I'm afraid I have to rate it as a C-.
The Man Who Fell To Earth - Trippy and Beautiful - Reviewed on 2008-06-30
* * * * *
4 customers found this review helpful.

Anybody who loves science fiction as much as I do should have seen this movie a long time ago and studied it closely. Yet I only recently was introduced to The Man Who Fell to Earth and was mesmerized.

For the time period it was made, it is visually incredible. The story line is also excellent considering how unbelievable the premise is. I would also state it is probably easily misunderstood because of the subtle use of cues and disjointed plot structure. But this movie cements what I already believed to be true: David Bowie is a creative genius who deserves more acclaim than he gets.

It's interesting that in a movie in which Bowie was cast, the music is very non-Bowie. I'm sure that was meant to not overshadow his performance, which is incredible. I don't want to give away too much detail, but the title kind of says it all. If I had to summarize this movie briefly, I would say it was like Starman meets E.T. - The Extra-Terrestrial and Valley of the Dolls.

I will add this: please avoid the reviews with spoilers. Several comments have been made which are not totally accurate. Watch the movie yourself and watch carefully. Then you can draw your own conclusion.

Like I said, the special effects are very good, yet tastefully done for the time period. They are not overly done as some other sci-fi of the late 70s and early 80s.

We learn about Bowie's character little by little through a series of flashbacks. These definitely highten the anticipation, but they also make the story disjointed. When we do finally see what Bowie truly is, it's an incredible climax.

There's also plenty of hippie-like scenes as Bowie's character is pulled out of his shell by a very unique female character. I personally felt like her lines could have been better, but she does a good enough job.

Rip Torn's character is perhaps the biggest enigma. I suspect that the film-makers purposely left some ambiguity as to his role in Bowie's demise.

I am not surprised by those who want simple explainations all laid out for them in a movie like this. This is meant to be an unconventional story told in an artistic way. Despite what some may say, there is a great deal of beauty and profundity in the way this story is told.

The supporting cast is good, though there are definitely some characters who are given less dialogue than they deserved.

The closure of this movie definitely made me feel sad for the world and mankind in general. Draw your own conclusions, but watch carefully or you will misunderstand what is really happening.

I would say anybody who loves sci-fi and hasn't seen this should see it soon. I may have been the last guy to this party, but if there are any others out there like me definitely check this out.

Enjoy.
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