The Man Who Fell to Earth
Short description
Thomas Jerome Newton arrives on Earth from a dying planet, disguised in human form, hoping to find water that could save his world. Using advanced technical knowledge, he patents a series of inventions and builds a corporate empire through the British lawyer Oliver Farnsworth, intending to fund a way of carrying water back home. As his wealth and influence grow, he develops a relationship with Mary-Lou, a hotel clerk, while the scientist Nathan Bryce is drawn into his plans. Government agents, alarmed by his power, close in.
The film is Nicolas Roeg's fourth feature as director, following Don't Look Now and preceding Bad Timing, with a screenplay by Paul Mayersberg and production by Michael Deeley and Barry Spikings. David Bowie plays Newton in his first major screen role, alongside Rip Torn, Candy Clark, Buck Henry, Bernie Casey and Tony Mascia. Made for about two million dollars, it mixes science fiction with drama and fantasy elements.
Audiences have been more reserved than critics: on IMDb the film holds 6.6 out of 10 from roughly 31,000 votes, and on TMDB 6.5 out of 10 from a much smaller number of ratings, while a film critics' rating stands at 8.1 out of 10 from 71 reviews. Adapted from Walter Tevis's novel, it runs 139 minutes and was released in 1976.
What's left behind the scenes
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The project to adapt Walter Tevis's original novel was initially developed with the famous Irish actor Peter O'Toole in mind.
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