NICOLAS ROEG

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBB.5. 

United Kingdom, 1976.  British Lion Film Corporation, Cinema 5.  Screenplay by Paul Mayersberg, based on the novel by Walter Tevis.  Cinematography by Anthony B. Richmond.  Produced by Michael Deeley, Barry Spikings.  Music by John Phillips, Stomu Yamashta.  Production Design by Brian Eatwell.  Costume Design by May Routh.  Film Editing by Graeme Clifford.  

Watch this excellent science-fiction film, but don’t expect to be let off easy. David Bowie plays an alien (hardly any makeup required, ha ha) who finds himself trapped on Earth after he arrives on a mission to bring water back to his dying planet. The visuals of his world are exceptionally memorable, as is the drama that unfolds on Bowie’s journey.  Candy Clark plays the love interest, and though she’s charming for a while, she’s more than a bit grating by the film’s conclusion. Completely original filmmaking that is to be admired.

The Criterion Collection:  #304

Berlin Film Festival:  In Competition