The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976) - OUT OF PRINT - Blu-ray Forum

SquidPuppet · 09-04-2009, 04:22 PM

SPOILERS BELOW!

I watched this yesterday for the first time ever.

OK. What was this about? Was he really an alien, or was it all a metaphor for something else? Was it good, or bad? Was it deep, or just silly? I have a few possible and odd theories.

I would LOVE to hear what others took away from this film.

Please discuss.

Mr.White · 09-04-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

SPOILERS BELOW!

I watched this yesterday for the first time ever.

OK. What was this about? Was he really an alien, or was it all a metaphor for something else? Was it good, or bad? Was it deep, or just silly? I have a few possible and odd theories.

I would LOVE to hear what others took away from this film.

Please discuss.

I wanted to get this during Barnes & Noble Criterion sale, I'm a big Bowie fan and have always wanted see this film, I'm waiting for the next Criterion sale. I've heard pretty much good comments on the film, it is now considered a cult classic. I did however did watch Criterion's DVD of "The Last Temptation Of Christ" a couple days ago,Bowie had 5th billing, what's even more funny his portaryal of Pilate was only on screen for a couple of minutes! I would really like Last Temptation on blu, one of Scorses's best(of many!)

SquidPuppet · 09-04-2009, 05:04 PM

Anyone?

Chrysagon · 09-04-2009, 05:34 PM

SPOILER
Gosh -- I haven't seen it for years...since it was in the theaters. But by my recall ...I never read any metaphors into it (but then what do I know, while I like poetry, I usually don't understand it). He was an alien stranded on earth and wanted to get home. Our government knew and watched silently but never intended to let him go. I think I know what you mean -- it was sci-fi, but, it lacked the usual special effects -- I'd classify it more as an intellectual sci-fi.

kpkelley · 09-04-2009, 06:02 PM

My understanding was that he was on a mission to save his planet from drought. He left his family behind and fell into a deep depression when he was prevented from returning to them. He did not rise from that depression until he resolved a way to send them a final message - his song.

Beta Man · 09-04-2009, 07:01 PM

yes....

My take on it was always in terms of him coming here to save his planet which needed water, and the Gov't didn't discover him until after-the-fact..... They kept him, but more out of curiosity and due to the fact that he was bringing great technological advances to Earth.... They didn't really view him as a threat.

Randomthoughts · 08-01-2016, 01:09 AM

I just caught this news before I buckled in for a $250 Blu-ray Criterion copy, if this is true, as it is a UK release, will I be able to purchase it and will my Blu-ray player be able to support the region?
http://www.indiewire.com/2016/07/dav...ry-1201703446/
Very excited if this is true...

Member-167298 · 08-01-2016, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hariseldon

OTOH rather than $200 for a single Bluray you could easily get a very good Region Free player instead and have future options for other similar discs

This is exactly what I was going to post. That is a purchase that will have increased value too because you will then be open to cinema from everywhere in the world.

StingingVelvet · 08-01-2016, 02:35 AM

Also a good chance this will re-released here in some fashion.

rainbowbattlekid · 08-03-2016, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

Also a good chance this will re-released here in some fashion.

from StudioCanal:

Hi Christopher,

There will be a release of the US version of The Man Who Fell to Earth.
I’m afraid we’re just handing the European release so I can’t give you an exact date etc.

Best,
Eileen

StingingVelvet · 08-03-2016, 05:49 PM

Criterion's first BD double-dip maybe? Would be cool.

Midnight Rambler · 08-01-2016, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hariseldon

Studio Canal usually Region B Lock many if not most of their releases -- esp those that have a contentious distributor/owner situation.

OTOH rather than $200 for a single Bluray you could easily get a very good Region Free player instead and have future options for other similar discs

Or you could buy the Japanese StudioCanal release which is Region A and sells for about $13 ...

callahan09 · 08-01-2016, 03:33 AM

I second the region-free player idea

It'll save you money in the long run.

Not to bring up politics on purpose, but ever since the Brexit thing made the pound drop in value vs the US dollar, importing UK blu-rays from Zavvi and Amazon.co.uk has often been cheaper than buying the US blu-rays from American websites for me.

Ray Jackson · 08-01-2016, 03:55 AM

I tried to watch this once on TCM and just couldn't keep watching after the first 20-30 minutes or so.

Just thought it was boring.

...what am I missing?

Vriess · 08-01-2016, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I tried to watch this once on TCM and just couldn't keep watching after the first 20-30 minutes or so.

Just thought it was boring.

...what am I missing?

It's a weird one. Some good creative ideas, and the cinematography is interesting. Parts near the end can be pretty head scratching and it probably drags on too long. I wouldn't blame anyone for getting bored some of Nicolas Roeg's work does the same to me. Bowie is pretty great in it.

CraigThom · 08-01-2016, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I tried to watch this once on TCM and just couldn't keep watching after the first 20-30 minutes or so.

Just thought it was boring.

...what am I missing?

It's one of those '70s auteur arty SF films from a time, before Star Wars, when everyone was doing it (John Boorman, Robert Altman, etc.).

I lived in a one-theater town and missed this and a lot of others (this one hurt especially, because I was a big Bowie fan), but I bought the books when the films came out.

Because I'd read the novel long before I finally saw the film, I already knew what was happening. I don't know what it would be like to see it cold.

Roeg is a well-respected director of the time. I'll find out how I react to a film with an unfamiliar story when I finally get around to watching Walkabout.

MifuneFan · 08-03-2016, 06:11 PM

It would probably come from Lionsgate if it were to come at all.

Jett Rink · 09-09-2016, 03:16 PM

The soundtrack is now on iTunes for the low price of $12.99. 25 tracks total. This is great news!

scarecroe · 09-25-2016, 03:34 PM

Does Criterion ever reissue titles? I want to see this in HD, but I'm not spending $150 on something I've never seen and Amazon rental is only SD.

MifuneFan · 09-25-2016, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scarecroe

Does Criterion ever reissue titles? I want to see this in HD, but I'm not spending $150 on something I've never seen and Amazon rental is only SD.

They don't have the rights to it. There is a release coming out in Canada with the new remastee, that's going to be your best bet.

It's $25 USD shipped, comes with the CD soundtrack and other stuff in specialty packaging

https://www.amazon.ca/The-Man-Who-Fe...A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB

09-04-2009, 04:22 PM	#1
SquidPuppet Blu-ray Duke Top contributor Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Club Loop Blu-ray collection:277 Blu-ray reviews:27	The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976) - OUT OF PRINT SPOILERS BELOW! I watched this yesterday for the first time ever. OK. What was this about? Was he really an alien, or was it all a metaphor for something else? Was it good, or bad? Was it deep, or just silly? I have a few possible and odd theories. I would LOVE to hear what others took away from this film. Please discuss. Last edited by Scottie; 08-16-2017 at 02:17 AM.

08-01-2016, 01:09 AM	#7
Randomthoughts Junior Member Member since:Dec 2013 Blu-ray reviews:2	Re-Release of The Man Who Fell to Earth? I just caught this news before I buckled in for a $250 Blu-ray Criterion copy, if this is true, as it is a UK release, will I be able to purchase it and will my Blu-ray player be able to support the region? http://www.indiewire.com/2016/07/dav...ry-1201703446/ Very excited if this is true...

09-09-2016, 03:16 PM	#18
Jett Rink Banned Top contributor Member since:Oct 2012 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:154	Availaible for the first time! The soundtrack is now on iTunes for the low price of $12.99. 25 tracks total. This is great news!

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09-04-2009, 05:04 PM	#3
SquidPuppet Blu-ray Duke Top contributor Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Club Loop Blu-ray collection:277 Blu-ray reviews:27	Anyone?

09-04-2009, 05:34 PM	#4
Chrysagon Senior Member Member since:Aug 2008 Location:Tucson, AZ 4K collection:90 Blu-ray collection:510 DVD collection:40 Blu-ray reviews:46	SPOILER Gosh -- I haven't seen it for years...since it was in the theaters. But by my recall ...I never read any metaphors into it (but then what do I know, while I like poetry, I usually don't understand it). He was an alien stranded on earth and wanted to get home. Our government knew and watched silently but never intended to let him go. I think I know what you mean -- it was sci-fi, but, it lacked the usual special effects -- I'd classify it more as an intellectual sci-fi.

09-04-2009, 06:02 PM	#5
kpkelley Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Framingham, MA 4K collection:385 Blu-ray collection:2478 Digital collection:113 Blu-ray reviews: 152	My understanding was that he was on a mission to save his planet from drought. He left his family behind and fell into a deep depression when he was prevented from returning to them. He did not rise from that depression until he resolved a way to send them a final message - his song.

09-04-2009, 07:01 PM	#6
Beta Man Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Juuuuuuuust A Bit Outside.... Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:268 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:25	yes.... My take on it was always in terms of him coming here to save his planet which needed water, and the Gov't didn't discover him until after-the-fact..... They kept him, but more out of curiosity and due to the fact that he was bringing great technological advances to Earth.... They didn't really view him as a threat.

08-01-2016, 02:35 AM	#9
StingingVelvet Blu-ray Grand Duke Member since:Jan 2014 Location:Philadelphia, PA 4K collection:852 Blu-ray collection:2331 DVD collection:111 Digital collection:12 Trading Score:69	Also a good chance this will re-released here in some fashion.

08-03-2016, 05:49 PM	#11
StingingVelvet Blu-ray Grand Duke Member since:Jan 2014 Location:Philadelphia, PA 4K collection:852 Blu-ray collection:2331 DVD collection:111 Digital collection:12 Trading Score:69	Criterion's first BD double-dip maybe? Would be cool.

08-01-2016, 03:33 AM	#13
callahan09 Special Member Top contributor Member since:Oct 2014 Location:RVA 4K collection:692 Blu-ray collection:3546 DVD collection:286 Blu-ray reviews:6 Trading Score:5	I second the region-free player idea It'll save you money in the long run. Not to bring up politics on purpose, but ever since the Brexit thing made the pound drop in value vs the US dollar, importing UK blu-rays from Zavvi and Amazon.co.uk has often been cheaper than buying the US blu-rays from American websites for me.

08-01-2016, 03:55 AM	#14
Ray Jackson Blu-ray Duke Member since:Apr 2013 Location:The dark underbelly of Anytown, USA 4K collection:102 Blu-ray collection:455 DVD collection:9 Digital collection:74 Trading Score:183	I tried to watch this once on TCM and just couldn't keep watching after the first 20-30 minutes or so. Just thought it was boring. ...what am I missing?

08-03-2016, 06:11 PM	#17
MifuneFan Blu-ray Emperor Top contributor Member since:Mar 2012 Location:New York City 4K collection:28 Blu-ray collection:1145 Trading Score:69	It would probably come from Lionsgate if it were to come at all.

09-25-2016, 03:34 PM	#19
scarecroe Active Member Top contributor Member since:Jun 2009 4K collection:47 Blu-ray collection:811 DVD collection:11	Does Criterion ever reissue titles? I want to see this in HD, but I'm not spending $150 on something I've never seen and Amazon rental is only SD.

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