The film will return to English theaters on September 9 for its 40th anniversary
To mark the 40th anniversary of the UK release of director Nicolas Roeg’s iconic science fiction odyssey, The Man Who Fell to Earth, STUDIOCANAL is thrilled to announce a new 4k restoration of the cult classic. The restoration has been in the works since late 2015, but is now especially timely and poignant given the news of David Bowie’s death earlier this year.
The film will be released in cinemas nationwide on 9th September by Park Circus and on Download, DVD, Blu-Ray and as a Collector’s Edition from 24th October by STUDIOCANAL, complete with brand new bonus material and special packaging, as part of their Vintage Classics range
Official Trailer
To mark the 40th anniversary of the UK release of director Nicolas Roeg’s iconic science fiction odyssey, The Man Who Fell to Earth, STUDIOCANAL is thrilled to announce a new 4k restoration of the cult classic. The restoration has been in the works since late 2015, but is now especially timely and poignant given the news of David Bowie’s death earlier this year.
The film will be released in cinemas nationwide on 9th September by Park Circus and on Download, DVD, Blu-Ray and as a Collector’s Edition from 24th October by STUDIOCANAL, complete with brand new bonus material and special packaging, as part of their Vintage Classics range.
Restored by Deluxe London, the restoration of The Man Who Fell to Earth is based on a 4K scan of the original camera negative, followed by a full 4K workflow, with the approval of Nic Roeg and the assistance of cinematographer Anthony Richmond ASC, BSC who was closely involved in the new grade.
Richmond says: “I had been disappointed with previous editions of the film for which I hadn’t been involved in the grading process. The colourist Steve Bearman and I have brought the new 4k restoration in line with the original film print. I felt that certain scenes were lacking that look and feel. Probably the biggest change is early in the film where David Bowie is sitting by the riverbank drinking water and looking at the rings. We warmed it up and made it match the print. I also felt the interiors all had a little too much Magenta in them so we took that out. The other changes were very subtle.”
Featuring a startling and era defining lead performance from David Bowie in his debut feature role and based on the cult novel by Walter Tevis, The Man Who Fell to Earth endures as, not only a bitingly caustic indictment of the modern world but, also, a poignant commentary on the loneliness of the outsider.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Curzon Soho are declaring Friday 9th September a one-off David Bowie Day as part of their campaign to save the cinema from demolition. After a special Save Curzon Soho edition of David Bowie Is Walking In Soho tour of the Thin White Duke’s locations, led by the V&A’s David Bowie Is curator Geoffrey Marsh, join the team at the cinema for a very special screening of The Man Who Fell to Earth introduced by its costume designer May Routh, a special DJ set in the bar, courtesy of TheMenWhoFell2Earth DJs, and more. Read more about what you can do to Save Curzon Soho and book tickets here: Curzon event
Meanwhile, over in Hackney on Friday 9th, Oscar-winning Director Danny Boyle introduces a special screening at Hackney Picturehouse. This is one of his favourite films and he has often sited Nicolas Roeg as a key influence on his career (he referred to the film in the London Olympic opening ceremony). Then dance the night away to Bowie-inspired tunes in the Attic Bar, courtesy of a DJ set from Readers Wifes. Book tickets here: Hackney event
COLLECTOR’S EDITION, BLU-RAY & DVD EXTRAS
New interview with costume designer May Routh featuring original costume sketches
New interview with stills photographer David James featuring behind the scenes stills
New interview with fan Sam Taylor-Johnson
New interview with producer Michael Deeley
New “The Lost Soundtracks” featurette including interviews with Paul Buckmaster and author Chris Campion
French TV Interview with David Bowie in 1977
Interview with Candy Clark
Interview with cinematographer Tony Richmond
Interview with Nic Roeg
“Watching the Alien” featurette
Trailers / TV spots
Exclusive to the Collector’s Edition will be a bonus John Phillips CD, a booklet with essays on the film and the soundtrack, 4 stunning, collectable art-cards, the press book and an A4 poster of the brand new theatrical artwork.
The Man Who Fell to Earth will be released by STUDIOCANAL as part of the ‘Vintage Classics collection’ – showcasing iconic British films, all fully restored and featuring brand new extra content:www.facebook.com/vintageclassicsfilm
OTHER RELATED RELEASES
The original soundtrack album will soon be released for the first time by UMC. A 2CD set from 9th September and a 2LP and Deluxe 2CD/ 2LP Box Set from 28th October. David Bowie was originally due to record the soundtrack but Nicolas Roeg decided the direction he was going in didn’t fit the film and, so, hired The Mamas & The Papas’ John Phillips instead. Rumour has it that the tracks Bowie wrote for the film formed the basis of his albums STATION TO STATION and LOW, both recorded in the years after the film’s release and featuring stills from The Man Who Fell to Earth as their covers.
This October will also see the musical Lazarus arrive in London. Inspired by Walter Tevis’ book, The Man Who Fell To Earth, Lazarus was written by David Bowie and Enda Walsh, and is directed by Ivo van Hove. Michael C Hall, Michael Esper and Sophia Anne Caruso will reprise their roles from the original New York Theatre Workshop.
Lazarus will play at the Kings Cross Theatre, London, from 25 October 2016 to 22 January 2017. 0333 320 1663 / lazarusmusical.com
A new book about the making of The Man Who Fell To Earth, is also being published to mark the 40th anniversary of the film’s release. Written by Jay Glennie and Darryl Webber, over 300 pages it gives a fascinating insight into how this landmark film was put together through new interviews with cast, crew and others involved in the production. The book will feature more than 600 stunning images from the film, many never released before. It will be a limited edition, large format hardback coffee table book with only 1000 copies available worldwide. Order exclusively from www.themanwhofelltoearth.co.uk
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