The Man Who Fell to Earth 1976
"Power, space, time and a visitor."
In *The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)*, visionary director Nicolas Roeg crafts a haunting sci-fi drama that blends alien intrigue with human emotion.
Director: Nicolas Roeg
Cast
David Bowie
Thomas Jerome Newton
Rip Torn
Nathan Bryce
Candy Clark
Mary-Lou
Tony Mascia
Arthur
Buck Henry
Oliver Farnsworth
Bernie Casey
Peters
Adrienne La Russa
Helen
Claudia Jennings
Peters' Wife (uncredited)
Rick Riccardo
Trevor
Jim Lovell
James Lovell
Frequently Asked Questions
What is *The Man Who Fell to Earth* (1976) about?
*The Man Who Fell to Earth* follows an alien, Thomas Jerome Newton, who arrives on Earth to find water for his drought-stricken planet. Disguised among humans, he leverages his advanced technology to build a fortune, only to find himself drawn into an unexpected romance that complicates his mission.
Who directed *The Man Who Fell to Earth*?
Nicolas Roeg, known for his bold visual storytelling, directed *The Man Who Fell to Earth*. His artistic approach gave the film a dreamlike yet unsettling atmosphere.
Who stars in *The Man Who Fell to Earth*?
The film stars David Bowie as the alien Thomas Jerome Newton, alongside Rip Torn, Candy Clark, Tony Mascia, and Bernie Casey in pivotal roles.
Is *The Man Who Fell to Earth* (1976) worth watching?
Absolutely—if you love cerebral sci-fi with a poetic edge. Roeg's direction, Bowie's mesmerizing performance, and the film's striking visuals make it a cult classic worth revisiting. Its themes of isolation and humanity still resonate decades later.
How long is *The Man Who Fell to Earth*?
The film runs for 139 minutes, or just over two hours.
🎥 Trailer
About The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976) — A Sci-Fi Masterpiece with Bowie's Iconic Alien
In *The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)*, visionary director Nicolas Roeg crafts a haunting sci-fi drama that blends alien intrigue with human emotion. Starring the legendary David Bowie as Thomas Jerome Newton, the film follows an extraterrestrial visitor who lands on Earth seeking water to save his dying homeworld. Armed with otherworldly knowledge, Newton partners with a sharp lawyer to amass wealth through revolutionary inventions—until a chance encounter with a gentle hotel clerk, Mary-Lou (Candy Clark), pulls him toward the complexities of human connection. As his mission nears fruition, the U.S. government intervenes, putting his grand plan—and his very existence—at risk.
Roeg's visually stunning direction bathes the story in a melancholic beauty, exploring themes of isolation, longing, and the fragility of ambition. Bowie's magnetic performance as the alien outsider, paired with Rip Torn's worldly cynicism, elevates the film beyond mere science-fiction spectacle. The result is a poetic meditation on what it means to belong in a world that's not your own.
