Jerome Bixby’s The Man from Earth is really a mix of theology, biological fantasy. This 2007 science fiction film is directed by Richard Schenkman. Richard Schenkman is an award-winning American screenwriter, film producer, film director and occasional actor. Throughout his career, he has frequently also been credited as "George Axmith".
This unrated film isn’t your Lords of the Rings or Harry Potter adventure movie. It’s not your science fiction film with gadgets explosions and special effects. This movie has more down to earth educated philosophical individuals.
Harry (John Billingsley) a biologist, Edith (Ellen Crawford) an art history professor and sincere Christian, Dan (Tony Todd) an anthropologist Sandy (Annika Peterson), a historian who is in love with John, Dr. Will Gruber (Richard Riehle), a psychiatrist, Art (William Katt), an archaeologist; and his student Linda (Alexis Thorpe).
John Oldman (David Lee Smith), resigned after ten years at a university, to his colleague's surprise, he packs up and move because “He has itchy feet.” Curious as to why he's leaving, they beg him for answers, they were not ready for. This leads to a story they can’t believe, or disprove. Is he really 14,000 years old? Was he a caveman? Did he meet Buddha? Was he the man we now know as Jesus?
Jerome Bixby’s The Man from Earth is cleverly written with campfire like pace full of metaphors. This movie was well researched, answering many question about history, religion and humanity.
Tony Todd (Dan, the anthropologist) who also in other science fiction films played a wonderful role in in Jerome Bixby’s The Man from Earth. His actions where so realistic, as opposed to his usual makeup-heavy and villainous roles he’s played in other genre movies such as CandyMan (1992, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Propaganda Films) As a supporting actor Todd’s character moves the movie alone with his genuine like tell me more attitude. Which keeps his collogues in tuned to the humoring story of John Oldman or should I say John Old Man.
The camera work of this film is right on point with the story line. At the times John is telling his story you rarely see his face showing how mysteries the situation is becoming. The movie was shot in a small cabin with real time lighting which gave this move a real time effect. This very much pulls you in to the screen as if you were there.
As you watch Jerome Bixby’s The Man from Earth it make you ask yourself, is this a true what John is saying, could it actually be a real person out he that just stop ageing? This is mainly because they don’t flashback to events that John is mentioning giving you the ideal that ok what he is saying somewhat true, that he is not crazy. That would have just ruined the whole film.
But anyone interested in a movies as a carrier of ideas. That would start an arguments in any setting will find Jerome Bixby’s The Man from Earth fascinating. Smith is wonderfully mysterious as John. The story that he unfolds is so believable. This film is shot in the evening in real time for a great effect. It's as if you are at the party but, “bring your own roast toasties and Johnny Walker Green Label.”
by
griffzo (student)
