The Man Who Fell to Earth

Name: The Man Who Fell to Earth
Genre: Drama, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Released: 1976-03-18
Duration: 2 h 19 min
Rating: 6.7
Cast: David Bowie, Rip Torn, Candy Clark, Tony Mascia, Buck Henry

Power, space, time and a visitor.

The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)

Timing: 2:19 (139 min)

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6.6/10
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Everything about the movie

Video 5

Photo 53

Actors and characters

Video for the film The Man Who Fell to Earth — STUDIOCANAL PRESENTS: THE PODCAST - The Man Who Fell to Earth with guest & film critic Mark Kermode

43:17

Movie poster "The Man Who Fell to Earth"

Photo 53

Release date

1976-03-18

Country

United Kingdom

Production

British Lion Films, Houtsnede Maatschappij N.V., Cinema 5

Genre

Drama, Science Fiction, Fantasy

Budget

$1 500 000

Box office

$100 468

Website

Director

Nicolas Roeg

Actors

David Bowie, Rip Torn, Candy Clark, Tony Mascia, Buck Henry, Bernie Casey, Adrienne La Russa, Claudia Jennings, Rick Riccardo, Jim Lovell
All actors and roles (10)

Scenario

Producer

Michael Deeley, Barry Spikings, Si Litvinoff

Camera operator

Anthony B. Richmond

Composer

John Phillips

Artist

Brian Eatwell

Audition

Editing

Graeme Clifford
Whole Team (33)

Short description

Thomas Jerome Newton is an alien who has come to Earth in search of water to save his home planet. Aided by lawyer Oliver Farnsworth, Thomas uses his knowledge of advanced technology to create profitable inventions. While developing a method to transport water, Thomas meets Mary-Lou, a quiet hotel clerk, and begins to fall in love with her. Just as he is ready to leave Earth, Thomas is intercepted by the U.S. government, and his entire plan is threatened.

What's left behind the scenes

Originally, director Nicholas Roeg wanted to cast popular American science fiction writer Michael Crichton in the role of the alien, attracted by his considerable height (2.06 m).
The project to adapt Walter Tevis's original novel was initially developed with the famous Irish actor Peter O'Toole in mind.
In one of the episodes, Thomas Jerome Newton appears in a large black hat covering his entire face. The fact is that in this episode, the role of Newton was actually played by actress Candy Clark, because David Bowie was ill at the time and could not participate in the scheduled shooting.
Between takes, the performer of the main role, David Bowie (1947-2016), wrote songs, drew, composed stories, contemplated an autobiography titled “The Return of the Thin White Duke,” filmed with a 16mm camera given to him by director Nicolas Roeg (1928-2018), and read – in particular, a biography of silent film comedian Buster Keaton (1895-1966). He was supposed to play Keaton in a future biopic.
According to costume designer May Routh (1934-2022), some of the costumes worn by David Bowie were children's sizes – he was so thin.
Director Nicolas Roeg cast David Bowie in the lead role after seeing him in the 1975 documentary “Cracked Actor.” According to Roeg, Bowie took the filming very seriously. He was never late to the set and always played flawlessly – to the delight of those around him and Bowie himself.
Candy Clark did not actually carry David Bowie in the corresponding scene. The props department specifically devised a structure made of a skateboard and a bicycle seat, which created the illusion that the actress was carrying Bowie in her arms.
Writer and screenwriter Terry Southern came to the set in New Mexico simply to visit his friend, actor Rip Torn. Director Nicholas Roeg decided to take advantage of the opportunity and invited the writer to play a cameo role – to appear as a reporter during a space rocket launch.
Director Nicolas Roeg originally wanted to cast popular American science fiction writer Michael Crichton as the alien, attracted by his great height (2 m 6 cm).
The film adaptation project of Walter Tevis's original novel was initially developed for the famous Irish actor Peter O'Toole.
Writer and screenwriter Terry Southern came to the set in New Mexico simply to visit his friend, actor Rip Torn. Director Nicolas Roeg decided to take the opportunity and invited the writer to make a cameo appearance as a reporter during a rocket launch.
In one of the episodes, Thomas Jerome Newton appears in a large black hat that covers his entire face. This is because, in this scene, the role of Newton was actually played by actress Candy Clark, as David Bowie was ill at the time and unable to participate in the filming scheduled for that day.
In between takes, lead actor David Bowie (1947-2016) wrote songs, painted, wrote short stories, considered an autobiography titled 'Return of the Exhausted White Duke,' filmed with a 16mm camera given to him by director Nicolas Roeg (1928-2018), and read—specifically, the biography of silent film comedian Buster Keaton (1895-1966). It was intended that he would play Keaton in a future biopic.
According to costume designer May Ruth (1934-2022), some of the costumes worn by David Bowie were children's sizes because he was so thin.
Director Nicolas Roeg cast David Bowie as the lead after seeing him in the 1975 documentary 'Cracked Actor.' According to Roeg, Bowie took the filming very seriously. He was never late to the set and always performed flawlessly—to the delight of both those around him and Bowie himself.
Candy Clark did not actually carry David Bowie in the scene. The props department specially designed a contraption made from a skateboard and a bicycle seat, which made it appear as though the actress was carrying Bowie in her arms.