The Man Who Fell to Earth

Dusting off old movies, episode #1

"The Man Who Fell to Earth" is a 1976 British science fiction film directed by Nicolas Roeg, based on the 1963 novel of the same name by Walter Tevis. The movie tells the story of Thomas Jerome Newton, an alien who comes to Earth in search of a new source of energy for his home planet, which is facing an impending environmental disaster. Newton, played by David Bowie, is a brilliant inventor and entrepreneur who quickly becomes a successful businessman on Earth, but as he becomes more and more entrenched in human society, he begins to lose his sense of identity and purpose.

Film poster for The Man Who Fell to Earth - Copyright 1976, British Lion Films

Despite its initial commercial success, "The Man Who Fell to Earth" has largely been overlooked in recent years, and is often remembered more for its cult following and David Bowie's iconic performance than for its thought-provoking themes and ideas. However, with the current global conversation around climate change, technological advancement, and the ethics of innovation, "The Man Who Fell to Earth" is a movie that is more relevant now than ever.

In fact, the movie's exploration of the consequences of playing god with technology, the exploitation of natural resources, and the impact of human activity on the environment makes it a eerily prescient commentary on our current global situation. As we continue to grapple with environmental challenges, and the ethics of technological advancement, "The Man Who Fell to Earth" offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective on these issues, and is a movie that is well worth revisiting today.

In this review, we'll delve deeper into the movie's themes and ideas, and explore its philosophical implications in more detail.

The Impact of Technology

One of the most striking aspects of "The Man Who Fell to Earth" is its portrayal of the impact of technology on human society. The movie depicts a world where technology has advanced to the point where it is almost indistinguishable from magic, and where the boundaries between human and machine are increasingly blurred.

Thomas Jerome Newton, the alien protagonist, is a brilliant inventor and entrepreneur who uses his advanced technology to revolutionize the energy industry on Earth. However, as the movie progresses, it becomes clear that Newton's technology is not just a tool for solving problems, but also a source of power and control.

This theme is reminiscent of the ideas of French philosopher Jean Baudrillard, who wrote about the ways in which technology can create a "simulacrum" of reality, where the simulation becomes more real than the reality itself. In "The Man Who Fell to Earth", Newton's technology creates a simulacrum of a perfect world, where energy is abundant and problems are solved. However, this simulacrum is ultimately revealed to be a facade, hiding the darker consequences of technological advancement.

The movie also explores the idea of "technological determinism", which suggests that technology shapes human society and culture, rather than the other way around. Newton's technology is depicted as a force that is beyond human control, driving human behavior and shaping the course of history.

This theme is also echoed in the work of philosopher and cultural critic, Neil Postman, who wrote about the ways in which technology can "colonize" human culture, leading to a loss of traditional values and ways of life. In "The Man Who Fell to Earth", Newton's technology is depicted as a colonizing force, disrupting traditional ways of life and creating new forms of social organization.

On technology, "The Man Who Fell to Earth" highlights the ways in which technology can both solve problems and create new ones. Although this movie came out in 1976, it offers a timely and important reminder of the need for critical reflection on the consequences of our actions today.

The Relationship between Human and Non-Human

One of the most fascinating aspects of "The Man Who Fell to Earth" is its exploration of the relationship between human and non-human entities. The movie depicts a world where the boundaries between human and machine are increasingly blurred, and where the distinction between living and non-living beings is called into question.

Portrait of well-known human entity, tech entrepreneur Mark Zuckerberg. Image credit: Anthony Quintano on Flickr CC BY 2.0

Thomas Jerome Newton, the alien protagonist, is a non-human entity who is struggling to understand human culture and society. Through his interactions with humans, the movie raises important questions about the nature of humanity and what it means to be alive.

This theme is reminiscent of the ideas of philosopher and cultural critic, Donna Haraway, who wrote about the ways in which humans and non-humans are interconnected and interdependent. In "The Man Who Fell to Earth", Newton's relationships with humans and machines highlight the ways in which these boundaries are increasingly blurred, and how our understanding of humanity is shaped by our interactions with non-human entities.

The movie also explores the idea of "otherness", which is a central theme in the philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas. Levinas argued that our relationships with others are always characterized by a sense of alterity, or otherness, which is essential to our understanding of humanity. In "The Man Who Fell to Earth", Newton's otherness is a source of fascination and fear for the humans around him, highlighting the ways in which our relationships with others are always shaped by our perceptions of their difference.

Furthermore, the movie's portrayal of Newton's relationships with machines and technology raises important questions about the nature of agency and consciousness. Are machines and technology simply tools for human use, or do they have their own agency and consciousness? This theme is echoed in the work of philosopher and cognitive scientist, Andy Clark, who has written about the ways in which humans and machines are increasingly intertwined, and how our understanding of agency and consciousness is shaped by our interactions with technology.

Overall, "The Man Who Fell to Earth" offers a thought-provoking commentary on the relationship between human and non-human entities, highlighting the ways in which our understanding of humanity is shaped by our interactions with others, and how our relationships with machines and technology are increasingly complex and multifaceted.

Finally, after reading this post, I would encourage you to watch the 1976 movie, or, if you’re already familiar, the 2022 American TV series by the same name, which is sort of a sequel.