Rating: 
Summary: Restored science fiction art classic
Review: It was an odd year. 1976 saw the release of Logan's Run with its occasionally heavy handed parable about the youth culture, Ralph Bakshi's Wizards gathered steam at the box office and included a trailer for some movie called Star Wars. Along came Nickolas Roeg with his arthouse science fiction epic and totally mystified everyone. David Bowie is perfect as the alien in this classic science fiction film. He's left his arid, dying planet and come to Earth in hopes that some of "his" inventions could create enough capital so that he can take resources from our planet to save his.Unfortunately, Bowie's character pretends to be human all too well--he's sucked into the very flaws that cripple humanity. He becomes a victim of our culture rather than master of it. Roeg's film is fragmented and spooky (particularly the scene where Candy Clark discovers that Bowie's character has various attachments to make him seem human). The visually unsettling photography and editing help bring an edge to the film. Roeg manages to fuse science fiction to his European art sensibilities very well. In fact, Man is probably Roeg's most powerful film outside of Don't Look Now his gothic take on the horror film. Anchor and Bay have restored the film to its original, uncut running time. They also have gone back to the original negative and camera elements to create as sharp a print as I've ever seen. The aspect ratio is finally correct and the sound, while not perfect, is a huge improvement over the previous DVD, video and television versions that have been floating around.
Rating:
Summary: ILLEGAL ALIEN?
Review: A thin, pale, androgynous David Bowie is THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH -- Special Edition (Anchor Bay), a two-disc set of Nicolas Roeg's film. Previously available on DVD, this widescreen (enhanced for 16x9 TVs) edition looks sharper, the clean DTS surround sound is THX approved and there's a new, interesting 24 minute featurette, "Watching the Alien." Slow moving and beautifully photographed, this movie adaptation is faithful in theme to Walter Tevis's novel. An alien being, disguised as a human, comes to earth to seek a way to save his home planet from turning into an arid wasteland. He funds this project by designing inventions worth gazillions and becomes bigger than Bill Gates. Unfortunately, he also becomes contaminated by our earthly ways and sinks into a mystical malaise of depression and alcohol. A sweet and chirpy Candy Clark lures him into an affair that, strangely, doesn't help. This hypnotic and provocative film long ago achieved cult status. More than anything, it's a visual meditation about an outsider, stymied by material success, who is on a journey back to a home that cannot in fact be reached. (Hey, who can't relate to that?) Fully restored and uncensored (there's full frontal nudity), this new digital transfer is from original materials. Recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Another sub-par Anchor Bay disc
Review: I suppose the flimsy slipcase, free-floating booklet design was intended to ward off Chinese pirates (Arrrh!) and sidewalk counterfeiters; however, the presentation is so awkward and unsatisfying to the die-hard collector that I've decided to consign this must-see film to my permanent memory bank and ditch this coaster set. As my collection grows, I find it increasingly difficult to find time to watch everything I've got (let alone multiple viewings which, if you think about it, is kind of the point of having a disc) and, thus, previously essential items are being turfed if they do not conform to Criterion-like presentation standards; heck, I'm even ditching some Criterions (take that, Antonioni!). Anyways, excuse the ramble folks and enjoy the rest of the reviews.
Rating:
Summary: sci-fantastically superb
Review: I just purchased THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH and was completely blown away by the sheer eclectisism of the film. Bowie does a great job in portraying "Mr. Newton"...the alien slash not so human freek pod who falls from the heavens in search for water, to save his planet from an ecological disaster. He becomes a multi zillionare off these quirky little patents he puts together, to strong hold the technological industry. The music is straight groovy. I recommend you get a little intoxicated with your choice of narcotic before you watch. I did not give the movie 5 stars because the dvd being THX certified did not include a THX trailer before the film. Enjoy my fellow Space Cowboys and uh' pass the water i'm thirsty!!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Nicholas Roeg at his best
Review: It's a shame that only 5 stars can be given to this classic film.
David Bowie, whom I adore anyway, makes an excellent debut in this superb film. The film follows Walter Tevis's novel very well and adapts to the screen to create a very saddening tale of corporate America and how it can be a boon or a bust to some, including aliens. That alone is a scary thought. Upon his arrival from a dying planet, Thomas Jerome Newton sets out to create an empire to obtain money to purchase water for his dying planet. Occasional scenes are shown of him leaving his wife and children behind, and throughout the film we see other scenes of them waiting for his return. What is never shown is how he is going to transport this to his home planet. Along the way to his path to success, he is plagued by metaphorical leeches who will do anything to stop him. Greed, lust, and several other deadly sins are thrust upon our protaganist as he tries in vain to overcome them in the process. David Bowie was the perfect person to be cast for this movie. He moves along in it with an icy perfection that is or was appropriate to his character at the time. Keep in mind, this film is not without it's flaws. Some scenes were restored to make this the original theatrical release. One involving Rip Torn and his student could have been done without as it makes no sense and attributes nothing to the overall affect of the movie. Again, that is just an opinion, and die hard fans of this movie will be happy that it is included. This film, upon it's release, was well ahead of its time and to this day, many of the themes implied still are appropiate to what constitutes success vs. failure in the American business sense. The films ends on a saddening note, however, and should be a reminder that what goes around, comes around. You do not have to be a fan of David Bowie to appreciate this film, he just makes it all work and the end result is stunning. Nicholas Roeg did everything possible to steer away from the persona of David Bowie and his music. The end result is a very good solid acting part on his behalf. Ironically, some of the incidental music later became working pieces on David Bowie's LOW album, which has a stunning shot from the movie. Highly recommended, and not for anyone looking for a quick plot or storyline and a happy ending, this film is chock full of storylines and plots that keeps you interested throughtout it's prescence.
Rating:
Summary: Die Hard Fans Only
Review: First off, let me say that I am a huge Bowie fan, owning and loving all of his original albums. But I simply did not enjoy this movie. Not at all really.
The story itself is neat, but it takes, well, a paragraph to describe (which I'll let you read in other reviews), and then you've got it. There's nothing more to it, there are no plot twists, nothing amazing or new. The movie moves so slow, it seems to go on for hours, and it's never exciting, just boring.
The acting from all performers in the movie is just fine, but the way the movie was put together is pretty bad. The script is barely there at all, the cinematography is dull and unoriginal, the alien design seems much older than it is, and doesn't impress. There's also a lot of sex in this movie, which I have no objections to, but it's put together in such odd ways, and never really makes sense that it's in there.
To put it simply, I guarantee you that if this movie didn't have David Bowie it wouldn't be remembered at all. The only thing neat about this movie is that I saw where the cover for "Station to Station" and "Low" came from. Sadly, you're really not missing anything, but if you're a huge fan like me, you'll have to see it for yourself.
Rating:
Summary: A Special Experience
Review: Many may call it dull and disjointed, too abstract or just give it a pass, since they haven't heard of it anyway! But they'd be missing a great movie, a unique and intellectual work of art. And that it is. I myself have never been much of a sci-fi fan so I don't particularly enjoy movies about space when they're too complicated and technical, but THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH is written in such a simple, but meaningful way- unlike most films nowadays- that makes it ageless, even after 30 years it cannot be considered outdated. Another thing I admire about it is a certain touchy feeling it has; it's hard to explain as it's so surreal, something out of this world! The first time I saw it, I was left with a sense of confusion and melancholy even, without consciously knowing why. I can't rally say I completely understand it to this day because there are so many hidden messages and feelings that make each time I watch it a whole new experience!
Despite my being a Bowie (super-) fan, I think everyone looking for a new experience in an interesting, smart and thought provoking, non-linear film should definitely buy the special edition DVD! It's worth every penny because it's a movie you can't just watch once, the VHS edition does not do it justice and the 2nd disc offers a very interesting and helpful 'Watching The Alien' documentary!
Rating:
Summary: Time, space, power, and good timing
Review: Whew, I remember lying about my age to get in to see this movie... I wasn't a big fan of David Bowie at the time; it was the oblique advertising campaign that got me interested. The television commercials are included as extras on this DVD, and I felt appropriately nostalgic while watching them. "The Man Who Fell To Earth" is a warm, human, but ultimately-sad film about an alien who comes to Earth in order to save the people on his planet from a disastrous drought. He arrives here with nothing but some gold and his advanced technical knowledge, which he parlays into a huge industrial empire. In the process of creating his own space program (either to bring water to his people or to bring his people to Earth), he falls afoul of the existing corporate/governmental power structure and is doomed to remain here; he ends up as a rich drunk who passes messages on to his home planet via weird, 'avant-garde' record albums whose content will only be understood by his people (should anyone happen to play these albums on the radio). Walter Tevis' novel now seems almost prophetic; his description of Thomas Jerome Newton (the alien's assumed name) could easily be applied to David Bowie, and the film was made in 1976, during the time frame of much of the novel. Everything worked out just right... In fact, the entire cast seems born to play these roles. Candy Clark is cute and endearing as Mary Lou, a gal who works at a New Mexico motel and becomes Newton's lover and confidante; Rip Torn is a bored, lecherous chemistry professor who apparently achieves telepathic contact with Newton. He goes to work for Newton's "World Enterprises Corporation" and eventually learns Newton's secret. His friendship with Newton, however, doesn't prevent his ultimate sellout. Buck Henry plays Newton's ever-loyal patent lawyer, Farnsworth, who eventually pays for his loyalty with his life, and Bernie Casey plays an interesting role-- we're never really sure who he works for, but he seems to be the nemesis of World Enterprises; half instigator and half go-between... Maybe he's a rival 'visitor' who got here first! David Bowie plays Newton without really having to act, but he still does a great job. In retrospect, his character reminds me of Cassiel in "Faraway, So Close"; a kind stranger from Somewhere Else who gets involved in the human condition and gets hurt. This is the unedited version of the film; the main difference I noticed was a sex scene (involving a chrome-plated pistol) between Newton and Mary Lou toward the end. This scene actually has some depth to it when you consider the dialogue; Newton is trying to impress on Mary Lou what a prisoner he has become. He could kill her and there would be no repercussions... Some other extras include a little retrospective documentary (Bowie isn't in it), the aforementioned commercials, the script in .pdf format, and some trailers. There's a lot to like here; the only thing I miss is a commentary track.
Rating:
Summary: A Challenge
Review: This movie is very complex and non-linear. The viewer has to pay close attention to what is going on. But one shouldn't panic at the first sign of confusion. Hang on and challenge yourself to last through the movie. You may not feel satisfied by the movie, but you will think about it. Whether you end up liking the movie or not, it will effect you. That makes it the great movie that it is. I'm not sure whether I like it or not, but I'm glad I watched it. And I think about it and I'm still confused by some aspects of it. It needs a few views to be understood. But I'm not straining too hard to understand everything, because being confused and disoriented while watching a movie is a good thing. I don't really care if I don't know what's going on all the time. It makes for a very unpredictable experience. Too many movies today are so predictable, this one is not. The crude sexual scenes add to the reality of the movie. This is a REAL sci-fi movie. What I mean by REAL, is that the movie is about an alien and outerspace. But one wouldn't really know it until about half way through the movie. The true nature of the picture is hidden behind a well written movie about human life. Then when the sci-fi aspect unfolds, it has a great impact. I would recommend this movie to anyone looking for a challenge.
Rating:
Summary: This is it....but...
Review: Time for me (and you) to bury the rancid turkey that Fox Lorber issued a few years ago. This is the edition to buy. The film looks fantastic...Anamorphic Widesceen!! Great sound, and a very good movie indeed. My reservations, meaning a docked star, are with the thin smattering of extras, necessitating a second disc, and the flimsy packaging that will fall to pieces if you watch this as compulsively as you ought. These quibbles aside, the price is right, and hats off again to Anchor Bay for taking a punt on this film
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