The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976): cast, story & where to watch
1976 · Film · ★ 6.4
Released in 1976, The Man Who Fell to Earth is a drama and science fiction film directed by Nicolas Roeg, running about 138 minutes. “Power, space, time and a visitor.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. 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.
Who’s in it. The Man Who Fell to Earth stars David Bowie as Thomas Jerome Newton, Rip Torn as Nathan Bryce, Candy Clark as Mary-Lou and Tony Mascia as Arthur, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.4/10, The Man Who Fell to Earth has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Philo, Criterion Channel, BFI Player Amazon Channel and MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Man Who Fell to Earth page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Man Who Fell to Earth tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)?
- In US, The Man Who Fell to Earth is available to stream on Philo, Criterion Channel and BFI Player Amazon Channel, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Man Who Fell to Earth worth watching?
- The Man Who Fell to Earth holds an audience score of 6.4 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and science fiction. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Man Who Fell to Earth?
- The Man Who Fell to Earth stars David Bowie, Rip Torn, Candy Clark, Tony Mascia and Buck Henry.
- When was The Man Who Fell to Earth released?
- The Man Who Fell to Earth was released in 1976, with a runtime of about 138 minutes.