The Man Who Fell to Earth Blu-ray Review

"The Man Who Fell to Earth" is presented on Blu-ray by Lionsgate Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.35:1. The source of this transfer is believed to be the 4K restoration executed by Studio Canal in celebration of the film's 40th anniversary. This restoration involved a 4K scan of the original camera negative, followed by a complete 4K workflow, which had the approval of both cinematographer Anthony Richmond and director Nicolas Roeg. Despite these promising origins, there are some conflicting elements in the final video presentation.

Upon scrutiny, the Lionsgate Blu-ray display shows varying results. While the restoration holds promise due to its 4K origins, the actual video presentation appears inconsistent in terms of detail and color fidelity. The transfer has a propensity toward softness, particularly noticeable during optical effects and scenes with heavy grain. While this might be attributed to Nicolas Roeg's characteristic use of zoom lenses, diffusion filters, and natural lighting, it also implies some unexplained intermediary processing which detracts from detail clarity. Moreover, there are noticeable color timing discrepancies when compared to the Criterion version. The Lionsgate release exhibits a yellowish hue in several scenes which stands in contrast to the somewhat more natural tones seen in the Criterion release. Enhanced brightness and contrast settings also lead to occasionally blown-out highlights and near-blooming whites, impairing the visual integrity.

Encoding issues further complicate the video presentation on this Blu-ray. With average bitrates hovering around 20 Mbps and sometimes dipping into single digits, compression artifacts become evident in certain scenes. By comparison, the Criterion release maintains healthier bitrates above 30 Mbps, contributing to its comparatively superior image stability and detail rendering. While select scenes in the Lionsgate edition do exhibit improved detail (such as fine textures visible in fingerprints), overall, the Criterion version offers a more consistently pleasing visual experience with better color accuracy and finer grain structure. The Lionsgate transfer thus feels like a mixed bag, aiming high but ultimately delivering an uneven performance.

The Blu-ray edition of "The Man Who Fell to Earth" features an impressive DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track, which mirrors the LPCM 2.0 track from the Criterion release. The film's unique sound design, characterized by its intriguing score, is preserved with exceptional clarity and a robust lower register presence. Dialogue and sparse science fiction sound effects are delivered cleanly without hiss, dropouts, or crackling, indicative of a lack of age-related damage. The audio transfer successfully captures the distinctive auditory elements that contribute to the film's atmosphere and storytelling.

Notably, the Collector's Edition provides an enhanced audio experience compared to its video counterpart. Echoing the high default volume typical of Studio Canal discs, listeners may need to adjust their settings for optimal playback. Encoded in a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio stereo format, this track utilizes matrixed surround functionality to engage ambient sounds through surround speakers and height channels, if available. The rich, bass-heavy music benefits from excellent stereo separation, adding depth and immersion to the viewing experience. While the Criterion Blu-ray employs PCM stereo, both versions offer commendable sound quality with slight differences in bass and sound effect levels. The Collector's Edition may amplify these aspects more than the original, yet both tracks maintain an excellent audio presentation true to the film's innovative sound design.

The Blu-ray of "The Man Who Fell to Earth" includes a comprehensive collection of special features, albeit in standard definition. Despite some technical inconsistencies, the bonus content offers substantial reflections on the film's creation and legacy. Notable inclusions are extensive interviews with the cast and crew, providing deep dives into their experiences and insights, though the quality varies. The Lost Soundtracks featurette is particularly captivating, explaining why David Bowie didn't complete the score. One curious aspect is the altered appearance of movie clips within these extras, resembling frame interpolation effects. Additionally, the package includes non-disc memorabilia like art cards and a mini-poster, although it omits the soundtrack CD from the British release.

Extras included in this disc:

• Interviews: Extensive interviews with key cast and crew members.
• The Lost Soundtracks: Insights into the music that did and didn’t feature in the film.
• David Bowie Interview - French TV 1977: Vintage interview segments with David Bowie.
• Trailer: Original promotional trailer for the film.

Nicolas Roeg's adaptation of Walter Tevis' 1963 science fiction novel, "The Man Who Fell to Earth," stands as a groundbreaking cinematic venture into the realm of allegorical and intellectual sci-fi. The film, weaving themes of alienation and human frailty, features David Bowie in his first significant acting role. Portraying Thomas Jerome Newton, an extraterrestrial on a covert mission to save his home planet by amassing wealth on Earth, Bowie embodies the character’s otherworldly strangeness with a reserved elegance. Utilizing minimal special effects, Roeg's direction relies on enigmatic imagery and erratic flashbacks, creating an evocative narrative that is as much about visual storytelling as it is about plot.

The 2016 Lionsgate Limited Collector's Edition Blu-ray offers a detailed transfer of the film's 139-minute director's cut. Originally released by Criterion in 2009, this edition updates both video and audio quality to meet contemporary standards. Studio Canal’s involvement ensures meticulous restoration, enhancing the film's aesthetic integrity. The set includes additional materials such as two booklets, four art cards, and a poster, aiming to appeal to collectors and cinephiles alike. Noteworthy is the inclusion of both Blu-ray and DVD formats, along with an UltraViolet Digital HD code. The Blu-ray facilitates an immersive experience that underscores Roeg's layered symbolism and thematic complexity, encouraging both new and returning viewers to explore the film's dense narrative tapestry.

Nicolas Roeg's "The Man Who Fell to Earth," starring David Bowie, is an enchanting blend of experimental science fiction and surrealism that remains as compelling today as it was upon its initial release. This Limited Collector’s Edition Blu-ray from Studio Canal provides an intriguing package predominantly accentuated by excellent bonus features. However, it fails to deliver in the video quality department. The video transfer is notably inferior compared to the 2009 Criterion Collection Blu-ray, showcasing a level of grain and noise that detracts significantly from the viewing experience. The standard definition of some supplements also feels dispiriting for a Blu-ray release aimed at collectors.

Despite these notable shortcomings, the Blu-ray does manage to deliver good audio quality, which is critical for immersing audiences in Roeg's unique and atmospheric narrative. The packaging is elegant, and non-disc collector memorabilia is a nice touch, aimed at die-hard fans of the film. For those without access to the Criterion version or unwilling to pay exorbitant amounts for it, this release might still be a reasonable option, providing sufficient value through its audio fidelity and supplementary content.

As conflicted as I am about the video quality of this release, I'm probably even more conflicted about this release as a whole. The film is one of those sui generis outings that is completely unique and therefore must-see material. There are some excellent supplements on this release, albeit in standard definition. The package is very handsomely produced, with some non-disc swag that may appeal to certain collectors, and the audio element sounds just fine. The fact that the out-of-print Criterion version is going for absurd amounts of money also throws a wrinkle into the proceedings, but there are other options for those with region-free players. My advice is to carefully look at screenshots and decide for yourself which version meets your expectations the best. The film itself is unforgettable and certainly a fitting testament to Bowie's star power. With caveats duly noted, Recommended.