Movieo
Poster for The Man Who Fell to Earth

The Man Who Fell to Earth

Power, space, time and a visitor.

1976 · 2h 19m · R Drama, Science Fiction
Directed by Nicolas Roeg

Seen it?

Overview

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.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
79%
Tomatometer
Fresh

The Man Who Fell to Earth today plays like a movie that fell from the sky, origins unknown.

Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News
Fresh

The film is a more poignant (and infinitely bleaker) portrait of extraterrestrial homesickness than "E.T."

Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Fresh

Bowie's screen debut still fascinates whenever he's on-screen, and it's full of little reminders of how much has changed since the movie was made.

John Hartl, Seattle Times
Rotten

Feels like a tedious historical artifact. It's a sci-fi "Days of Wine and Roses" for the arthouse crowd.

Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
Fresh

The most intellectually provocative genre film of the 1970s.

Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out New York

Comments

Talk about the film with other members

More films