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Criterion Collection: Man Who Fell to Earth [Blu-ray] [1976] [Region A] [US Import]

David Bowie , Rip Torn , Nicolas Roeg    Blu-ray
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Actors: David Bowie, Rip Torn, Candy Clark, Buck Henry, Bernie Casey
  • Directors: Nicolas Roeg
  • Writers: Paul Mayersberg, Walter Tevis
  • Producers: Barry Spikings, John Peverall, Michael Deeley, Si Litvinoff
  • Format: DTS Surround Sound, Widescreen
  • Language: English
  • Region: Region A/1 (Read more about DVD/Blu-ray formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 2.35:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: Unrated (US MPAA rating. See details.)
  • Studio: Criterion
  • DVD Release Date: 16 Dec 2008
  • Run Time: 139 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B001EP8EL2
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 144,748 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)

Reviews

From Amazon.co.uk

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. In The Man Who Fell to Earth, 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 capitalising 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-commercialised society. Stimulating and hypnotic or frightfully dull, depending on your receptivity 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.

Synopsis

From director Nicolas Roeg, The Man Who Fell To Earth is a science-fiction cult classic starring David Bowie. Crash landing on Earth from his dying planet, an alien humanoid traveling by the name Thomas Jerome Newton uses his superior intelligence to build a vast business empire. As he takes on, and beats, every US corporation, people can only guess his true purpose: to save his dying world from agonizing death by drought. Newton’s ageless fall from grace, as he becomes prey to lust, alcohol, business rivals and the US Government makes The Man Who Fell To Earth not only a bitingly caustic indictment of the modern world but also a poignant commentary on the loneliness of an outsider.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
39 of 39 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Loving the Alien... 3 Aug 2002
Format:DVD
I've been a long term appreciator of this film since it was regularly shown late at night on BBC2 in the 70's and 80's. Seeing it on DVD at its full aspect ratio is a revelation though, the composition of the images is wonderful and I kind of missed that on a 4:3 TV all those years ago. This is a quality movie with excellent performances from all the actors, even the bit parts. Anyone who ever claims that David Bowie cannot act should be forced to watch this and then to eat their words because he is quite frankly superb in the part of Thomas Newton. He conveys more 'other-worldliness' in a simple gesture than most actors achieve with the full Stan Winston latex treatment. Despite this being an SF film (with no major SFX, just intelligent scripting) it could just as easily be about anyone out of their environment and feeling alone and paranoid. They quite literally don't make em like this anymore. Instead we get MIB:2. Help!
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28 of 28 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars No Subtitles 5 Oct 2010
By Vandal
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
It irritated me when I had to order this, that I could find no subtitle info, so just to help others I will add that: there are no subtitles of any kind (not even english for hard of hearing) on this movie. Otherwise its a great movie and great dvd, so no need to avoid it just for that detail, but if you're a non-native speaker, you might like to know this in advance.
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars 'Still loving the alien' 9 Oct 2000
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
Nicolas Roegs follow up to his successfull thriller 'Don't look now', was the Science fiction themed 'The Man who fell to earth'. The role of the main chracter, that of the alien,Thomas Jerome Newton, finally found itself fullfilled by the then most alien of rock stars David Bowie.

Roeg had previously in mind PeterO'Toole and Micheal Crichton as possibles for the role of the icey alien. However, Roeg, who had used Mick Jagger successfully in his earlier film 'Perfomance' was attracted to Bowie through his sense of mime and movement on stage and also through Alan Yentob's BBC Documentary -'Cracked Actor' which was aired earlier that year. After Roeg met with Bowie in New York he felt he had found his alien and Bowie, who had been interested in acting since the sixtes and had had some minor film roles, accepted the part.

This film is wonderfully shot and is a visual joy especially in its wide screen format. From claustraphobic interiors to wide expanding landscapes and not least the images of the wonderfully pale and angullar Bowie, who later used some of the images as album covers. A superior and unobvious sci-fi film it deals with themes familiar to the work of Roeg(And to some extent Bowie)- alienation,paranioa,memory and wierd sex! The story line concerns the alien visitor, in human form, who has visited earth in search of resources to save his dying planet. This some-what naive and cold character recieves the affections of a lonely woman,the 'down home'Mary Lou.(Well played by Candy Clark). Who in one memorable scene carries Newton from an elevator, where he has collapsed vomiting, to his hotel bedroom. Once the alien begins to trust Mary Lou he begins to reveal his true identity which culminates in one shocking scene which was edited out when the film was first shown in the U.S. This is where Newton/Bowie reveals his true hairless, almond eyed physiognomy.(ala:Arnie in Terminator 2)From then on a feeling of entraptment ensues as the alien becomes corrupted and his benign cause esqued.

Roegs Film enchants, puzzles and provokes but one can't help thinking allegorically of a being alienated and brainwashed by society and unable to save 'his world' or that of those around him. If not Roeg's best film then definitely Bowie's. One of the best films of the seventies, it is still relevant today and stands up to repeated viewing. Favourite scene: Our alien seated in front of banks of television screens using the remote control, in information overload, before destroying the screens shouts despairingly "Get out of my mind... all of you!"

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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars It's a classic
Haven't watched this for years and thought I'd revisit it with the release of the new great Mr Jones' album. Read more
Published 2 days ago by Keith Manaton
5.0 out of 5 stars See it
Forgotten how good this film was until I watch it again. One for any ones collection, Bowie just wonderful, buy
Published 10 days ago by Martin dyson
5.0 out of 5 stars Sci-Fi classic
Filmed at a time when Sci-Fi movies were more cerebral than fx-laden, TMWFTE is a worthy watch detailing the journey of an alien trying to save his dying planet but falling foul of... Read more
Published 11 days ago by Paul
3.0 out of 5 stars Classic - Bowie's excellant
This had been recommended as a classic and it's true. Watch with open views and you can see how good it must have been in it's day for effects, we're talking over 25 years old! Read more
Published 11 days ago by hmac769
5.0 out of 5 stars for dad
I just couldnt get this dvd anywere and needed it for dads christmas present, it was really quick to come, no problems.
Published 14 days ago by Stacy Jackson
3.0 out of 5 stars Ok
Had to get a replacement as the first one got lost, second email I sent asking about any luck tracking it via Royal Mail, was ignored. :/
Published 18 days ago by Amy Rodgers
5.0 out of 5 stars Bowie
Saw this in London in the 70's. . . With my then Czech Girlfriend...
Being as we both Loved David Bowie...We could'nt miss it...I've
seen it since... Read more
Published 22 days ago by jacksparra1
5.0 out of 5 stars Space
First watched this film many years ago, glad I eventually managed to track it down, my 22 year old son also sees its potential as a classic.
Published 28 days ago by Gary
1.0 out of 5 stars I'm a Huge Bowie Fan!
I'm a Huge Bowie Fan but this is pretentious rubbish!
Stick to the music or the Alan Jentob film, "Cracked Actor"!
Published 1 month ago by Rev. Gareth Bowen
5.0 out of 5 stars Arrived on time
great film, which i have never saw in decent quality...Picture and sound are very good.Go Ziggy!! I've always loved this movie.
Published 1 month ago by john alan ponton
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