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The 1976 movie David Bowie needed to walk away from: “I got angry about it”
David Bowie reportedly viewed walking away from the 1976 film *The Man Who Fell to Earth* as a major missed opportunity. Although he was proud of the music and the film’s influence on his artistic direction, he later admitted that he abandoned the project for an “irrational” and “juvenile” reason after becoming angry about his contract.
The experience still shaped *Low*, with tracks such as “Subterraneans” originating as potential soundtrack material. The article argues that the film and its music reflected Bowie’s transition away from the dangerous Thin White Duke persona, helping pave the way for his experimental Berlin period and later success.
In short
- Bowie regretted leaving *The Man Who Fell to Earth*.
- Its unused music helped shape *Low*.
- The project influenced his artistic reinvention.
Explained simply
The Man Who Fell to Earth is a 1976 science-fiction film directed by Nicolas Roeg, based on a novel by Walter Tevis. David Bowie starred as an alien who comes to Earth seeking water for his drought-stricken home planet; it was one of his first major film roles.
At the time, Bowie was also known for the Thin White Duke, a stark persona he had adopted during a turbulent period in his life. The film’s music and atmosphere fed into Low, his 1977 album made during a shift towards more experimental sounds. Bowie later moved to Berlin, where he recorded further albums with producer Tony Visconti and musician Brian Eno.