The Man Who Fell to Earth (DVD)

Starring David Bowie, Candy Clark and Buck Henry. Directed by Nicolas Roeg. Available Tuesday in 40th anniversary DVD/Blu-ray package. 119 minutes. 14A David Bowie’s first major film assignment, his most celebrated one, finds him dramatically exploring the extraterrestrial existence that had always fascinated him.

In this 1976 screen story, adapted from a Walter Tevis novel of the same name, Bowie plays a humanoid alien who has come to Earth on a stealth mission to find water for his dying home planet.

He’s at risk for both the love and hate of his adopted home in this thoughtful and formally challenging work by Nicolas Roeg, which the trailer ludicrously oversold as “a shocking, mind-stretching experience!”

A viewing of the film is an excellent way to celebrate Bowie’s brilliance, in this year when the pop icon sadly left the Earth.

The wealth of extras on this 40th anniversary edition Blu-ray/DVD release include a vintage Bowie interview from 1977, interviews with the director, cast and crew, makingof featurettes, an illustrated booklet, press book, art cards and a poster.