Customer Reviews

Earthling, The [VHS]

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I wish someone would get this film onto DVD and soon!
I saw this in the theater when I was a kid and thought it was wonderful. As an adult I enjoy it even more. It has never gotten the recognition it deserves.
Usually these grumpy-old-man/too-cute-for-words-kid films are as annoying as all heck - but this one thoughtful and beautiful and not all corny.

I first saw this film in the early 80's. It is filled with beutiful scenery, exotic animals and a wonderful story about an dying man with a fascinating past about which you only hear little bits, and a small boy he teaches not only how to survive in the wild but in life.

While it is a very uplifting movie, it is interesting to note that the director of the film was dying of cancer in real life while filming was going on and created a very sad film with no redeming qualities. After he died, the actors returned and filmed a new and positive ending for no pay.

In his biography, it says that William Holden and Ricky Schroder had a great relationship and Schroder named one of his sons Holden. It also says that because of this it was the only film in his later years where Holden stayed completly sober.

I would highly recomend this film for families.

I think The Earthling (1980) was one of the first movies I watched that I that I found to be a little life altering.

Young Shawn Dailey (Ricky Shroeder) finds himself alone in the out back of Australia after his parents meet a tragic demise. Alone and completely unable to survive on his own, Shawn is cast into a world of complete shock and desolation.

Also in the out back is a man named Patrick Foley (William Holden). Patrick has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and is returning to the place of his birth to die, a place completed secluded from civilization.

Foley is a hard, almost bitter man that has lived a full life. He see's the distress Shawn is in but knows that there is no real way to help as the youngster is half out of his mind. Foley can't take him out of the wilderness as he himself would not survive the trip, there isn't enough time.

Foley just can't abandon the boy so he repeatedly tries to give him instructions on how to navigate his way out of the wilderness, but the "in shock" 10 year old doesn't even know his own name. In a moment of triumph for the young Shawn Dailey, he is finally able to recollect his own name and cries it out to Foley who has decided to leave him in the wilderness to die. Foley, a true survivor himself, starts to recognizes Shawn's ability and willingness to fight his way back into a new reality, a reality that no one would want to accept. Foley begins to believe that Shawn may actually have a chance to learn the ways of the wilderness and survive.

The two form a bond that is foreign to both of them, but yet, a bond of complete trust and love. As Shawn learns the ways of the woods, the tables turn and soon young Shawn is the one leaving the food scraps for Foley in a loving "in your face" kind of thing. In the end, Foley gives Shawn the final instructions so that he may complete his journey out of the wilderness on his own. Shawn in return, gives Foley the ultimate gift.

In this movie as well, you need to keep your eye on the "Indian Bag" and watch the circle of life as it completes its own journey. If you believe that what you give away comes back to you, this validation will put tears in your eyes.

The Earthling is kind of a kids movie and the acting of the parents is atrocious. Fortunately, ma and pa get killed off early on leaving Holden and Schroeder center stage and their acting reputations speak for themselves.

I watch this movie every time I am spiritually lost. It always helps me to remember - "Head north boy, you'll make it".

This is an "idea" film with a plot. It is deeply existentialist, and tries to drive home the point that we are alive and that the fact that we are indeed alive is beyond miraculous, that we must each make our way in this cold universe, ultimately dependent upon no one else. Through life is is hard, and we face death at the end, the struggle to survive is also deeply satisfying.

Holden's character Patrick Foley passes these concepts onto the boy played by Schroeder. The photography is magnificent; the acting is good. The script is incredible. A truly underrated movie.

True to life story with Oscar winning performances. You cannot see it just once and get it, the sound of the rocks, just listen and learn! It is in some ways difficult to view, but well worth seeing. A real story of life and death. Survival is the key objective. I've lost two children of my own to cancer. I get it. Life is not a walk in the park, it is a difficult experience. This is not an easy story but it is a learning experience. The little boy would not have survived without the lessons he learned from what seemed a mean and disagreable person, that was the farthest from the truth. The moral is life is not easy, people are not what they seem on the surface and life renews itself in ways we do not comprehend. The title they gave it doomed it. Earthling seems like an alien movie. Plus the critics don't get movies with real moral essence. Watch it once and you will NEVER forget it! My daughter (now deceased) paid $85.00 to buy it for me as a gift when it was first released on VHS. It is priceless........

This movie tells one of the most endearing stories of life and love that I have ever seen. If you have an 'ounce' of feeling in you, you will love this film. Ricky Schroeder gives the performance of a lifetime. It's not to be missed. I can't wait to get my hands on the dvd.

This deeply touching and thoughtful film has had staying power in my memory since first viewing it in the 80's. It remains in my top 10 of favorites. This piece deserves it's place in the valuable (not to be lost) film annals, as it is metaphorical, well acted, thoughtful, and the videography (for its day)is beautiful. I found the music score not so bad - Again, it reflects the age in which the film was made... This film deserves to be made available on DVD, period. It's a keeper which deserves preservation status.

Truly a wonderful movie, but the quality of the VHS video we received from Amazon.com was terrible. The images were fuzzy, the sound scratchy and the video would not track properly.

I first watched this move many years ago, and many times since, ever so often catch my thoughts drifting back the large motorhome falling off the cliff, tires spinning in the mud in a futile effort to stop the slide while the little boy watches the vehicle containing his parents slip from view falling over 500 feet to their deaths. Here the boy is isolated miles from civilization, only when half dazed and out of his mind he comes upon William Holden, and aged international mercenary; who, after fighting battles around the world, is returning home to his desolate Australian valley to die, at home...

If you watch this movie, you will remember it forever!

WHY ISN"T THIS AVAILABLE ON DVD?????????

Regards,
Jim

William Holden and young Ricky Schroder give perfomences of a lifetime in this "coming of self" styled movie.

To learn to love one's self and to trust someone else is a struggle for anyone who has had difficulties in life.

Willam Holden plays this part with such realism and depth you would actually beleave he has lived his whole life in the woods living off the land.

In real life Mr. Holden and real-life wife Stephanie Powers were advocates for our earth and keeping it clean in air & water. They have fought for animal rights as well.

Young Schroder, portrays a young boy who desperately needs a friend. He needs to know he can depend on himself and that he is strong enough to face most things life throws. He will find out that he has the inner strength & wisdom to face life and survive.

I highly recommend this movie for the whole family. There is something we can all learn from it. It is entertaining as well as a tool for anyone who would like to know more about hiking, camping and being one with our earth. I rate this movie 5 stars.