Man Who Fell to Earth: Amazon.ca: David Bowie, Rip Torn, Candy Clark, Buck Henry, Bernie Casey, Jackson D. Kane, Rick Riccardo, Tony Mascia, Linda Hutton, Hilary Holland, Adrienne Larussa, Lilybelle Crawford, Anthony B. Richmond, Nicolas Roeg, Barry Spikings, John Peverall, Michael Deeley, Si Litvinoff, Paul Mayersberg, Walter Tevis: DVD

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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.

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Customer Reviews

70 Reviews

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(4)

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4.0 out of 5 stars (70 customer reviews)

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4.0 out of 5 stars A Challenge, Mar 10 2003

By

Matthew T. Parrish (Somerdale, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Man Who Fell to Earth (DVD)

This movie is very complex and non-linear. The viewer has to pay close attention to what is going on. But one shouldn't panic at the first sign of confusion. Hang on and challenge yourself to last through the movie. You may not feel satisfied by the movie, but you will think about it. Whether you end up liking the movie or not, it will effect you. That makes it the great movie that it is. I'm not sure whether I like it or not, but I'm glad I watched it. And I think about it and I'm still confused by some aspects of it. It needs a few views to be understood. But I'm not straining too hard to understand everything, because being confused and disoriented while watching a movie is a good thing. I don't really care if I don't know what's going on all the time. It makes for a very unpredictable experience. Too many movies today are so predictable, this one is not. The crude sexual scenes add to the reality of the movie. This is a REAL sci-fi movie. What I mean by REAL, is that the movie is about an alien and outerspace. But one wouldn't really know it until about half way through the movie. The true nature of the picture is hidden behind a well written movie about human life. Then when the sci-fi aspect unfolds, it has a great impact. I would recommend this movie to anyone looking for a challenge.

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5.0 out of 5 stars why do so many people hate this movie?!?, Sep 7 2001

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Marion_A - See all my reviews

This review is from: Man Who Fell to Earth (VHS Tape)

There seem to be two kind of opinions about this movie. One: it's a great, fascinating, if slightly weird film. Two: It's boring, meaningless and why did anyone bother to make it? Actually, I found more reviews of the latter kind, and almost didn't buy it. Luckily, I couldn't resist. And I think "The Man Who Fell To Earth" is gorgous, if slightly weird. It is hard to get into and it is indeed long and sort of complicated. Than again, what's so bad with a movie you actually have to think about? Because that is what this film will do, it'll force you to think. And you do need to have a mind to think with, really.

"The Man Who Fell To Earth" is a movie so far away from anything mainstream that it just can't apply to many. I found it wonderful, there are so few really good movies out there, and this is one of them.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Special Experience, Mar 25 2003

By

Irene Syrkos (Attiki, Greece) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Man Who Fell to Earth (DVD)

Many may call it dull and disjointed, too abstract or just give it a pass, since they haven't heard of it anyway! But they'd be missing a great movie, a unique and intellectual work of art. And that it is. I myself have never been much of a sci-fi fan so I don't particularly enjoy movies about space when they're too complicated and technical, but THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH is written in such a simple, but meaningful way- unlike most films nowadays- that makes it ageless, even after 30 years it cannot be considered outdated. Another thing I admire about it is a certain touchy feeling it has; it's hard to explain as it's so surreal, something out of this world! The first time I saw it, I was left with a sense of confusion and melancholy even, without consciously knowing why. I can't rally say I completely understand it to this day because there are so many hidden messages and feelings that make each time I watch it a whole new experience!
Despite my being a Bowie (super-) fan, I think everyone looking for a new experience in an interesting, smart and thought provoking, non-linear film should definitely buy the special edition DVD! It's worth every penny because it's a movie you can't just watch once, the VHS edition does not do it justice and the 2nd disc offers a very interesting and helpful 'Watching The Alien' documentary!

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Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Criterion Release
The Man Who Fell to Earth is a science fiction cult film from director Nicolas Roeg (Walkabout, Don't Look Now). Read more

Published on July 5 2007 by K. Driscoll

5.0 out of 5 stars How to explain this movie...
This is one of those films that is best watched in the dark, by yourself, because sometimes, you just might want to shout out "WHAT? Read more

Published on Jun 16 2004 by Kate