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Actors: David Bowie, Rip Torn, Candy Clark, Buck Henry
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| Review Summary and Plot Commentary about The Man Who Fell to Earth |
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Thomas Newton (David Bowie) falls to earth from another planet in an attempt to find water, take it back to his barren dry planet, and save his wife and children who are dying of thirst. A chemistry professor (Rip Torn) discovers that Newton is an alien. Capitalist companies subject Newton to years of painful physical tests under the guidance of Peters, a cruel businessman (Bernie Casey).
--Ross Wells, Resident Scholar
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"Thomas Jerome Newton" is the name adopted by an alien who has crash landed on earth in search of water to take back to his family and planet, which are dying of drought. He sells rings and works himself up into high technology business, selling inventions and patents to raise the billions he needs to build transport back to his home. A simple country girl named Mary-Lou (Clark) falls for him and moves in; he also becomes acquainted with a middle-aged professor (Torn) who likes to bed young coeds, and an attorney (Henry) who handles his financial and legal affairs. But loneliness and greed (perhaps even the bad air) corrupt Newton and drive him gradually crazy. British director Nicolas Roeg shot turned Walter Tevis's straightforward 1963 novel into this highly visual, allusive, and puzzling 1976 film. Despite its odd pacing and much nudity, Bowie is perfectly cast and the other actors are adequate.
--David Loftus, Resident Scholar
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| Analysis of The Man Who Fell to Earth |
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Movie
Actual chase scenes or violence - 10%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzle - 30%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 60%
**Fantasy or Science Fiction?**
- science fiction story
Explore/1st contact
Yes
Explore plotlet:
- friendly alien from space chased by govt
Romance
Yes
Romance Plotlets:
- kinky sex movie
Generally friendly 1st contact with aliens?
Yes
Human/Magical couple?
Yes
Main Character
Identity:
- male alien
Profession/status:
- scientist
Age:
- long lived adults
Has special powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character:
- can change shapes
- can see into the future
- is very quick
Eccentric:
Yes
- eccentric
- obsessed
Hair color?
- red
- other weird color
Hair type
- (man) short/medium straight
Body type
- very skinny (man)
Unclothed?
- Chest and Buttocks
- Full Frontal
Events of movie makes character more...
- sad
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor?
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
- Genius
Physique
- average physique
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Male
- Female
Hair color
- brunette (Brown)
Hair style
- (man) short/standard straight
Body type
- average build (man)
Unclothed?
- buttocks and chest
How much in movie?
- 40%
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
- an organization
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- business executive
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- 20%
Hair color
- brunette (Black)
Hair style
- (man) short/standard curly
Body type
- average (man)
Ethnicity
- Black
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Setting
Earth setting:
- 20th century (1970's to Present)
A substantial portion of this movie takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:
- empty, or nearly empty world
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Planet outside our solar system?
Yes
Desert?
Yes
Misc settings
- prison
- bar/restaurant
- lab
Small town?
Yes
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
- very explicit references to deaths and torture
Tone of movie
- depressed/sad
Sex/nudity in movie?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- orgies
- actual description of sex
- seeing breasts
- seeing nude female butt
- seeing nude male butt
- seeing full frontal--women
- seeing full frontal--men
- society controls main character's sexuality
Any profanity?
- Some foul language
Kinds of F/X
- exotic aliens
- exotic alien landscape
Is this movie based on a
- book
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Resident Scholar Profiles
TOP SCHOLAR:
 Ross Wells
SCHOLARS:
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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