The Man from Earth (2007)
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A departing professor claims to be over 14,000 years old during a farewell party with his colleagues.
The story
As Professor John Oldman prepares to move to a new home, his colleagues gather for an impromptu farewell party. When they press him to explain his departure, Oldman reveals a startling claim: he was born in the Paleolithic period and has lived for more than 14 millennia. He explains that he relocates every decade to avoid detection. The film unfolds as a series of intellectual arguments where his colleagues, including a biologist, an art historian, and an anthropologist, question the scientific and historical feasibility of his claims. The narrative progresses through intense dialogue as they debate his history, his identity, and the implications of his longevity.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
During the farewell party, John Oldman recounts his life across millennia, claiming to have been a Sumerian, a Babylonian, and a disciple of the Buddha. He even claims to have befriended Van Gogh and traveled with Columbus. The group debates his claims based on their specific academic fields. A psychiatrist, Dr. Will Gruber, joins the group and questions John's mental state, even threatening him with a gun. Later, the discussion turns to religion; John reveals he was the inspiration for the Jesus story. The tension peaks when Will demands John admit it is a hoax. John eventually 'confesses' it is a prank to calm the room. After the guests leave, it is revealed that some still believe him. In the final moments, Will suffers a heart attack and dies in John's arms after learning the truth from a private conversation. The film ends with John and a still-believing Sandy walking toward his truck.
- First release year
- 2007
- Runtime (minutes)
- 89
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Richard Schenkman
- Writers
- Jerome Bixby · writer
- Cast and characters
- David Lee Smith · John Oldman; John Billingsley; Tony Todd
- Genres
- science fiction; drama
- Themes
- immortality; religion; time
- Tone and mood
- intellectual; dialogue-driven
- Premise and plot tags
- science fiction; drama; mystery
- Source material / true-story basis
- Original screenplay by Jerome Bixby
- Franchise connections
- The Man from Earth
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews, with a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8/10 from IGN. It was noted for its intellectual approach to sci-fi, though some critics found the ending heavy-handed.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 100% · review count: 5; IGN · score: 8 · scale: 10
- Awards and nominations
- Best Screenplay · Rhode Island International Film Festival · Winner; Grand Prize - Best Screenplay · Rhode Island International Film Festival · Winner; Best Film · Montevideo Fantastic Film Festival of Uruguay · Winner; Audience Choice Award · Montevideo Fantastic Film Festival of Uruguay · Winner; Best Director · Fantaspoa – International Fantastic Film Festival of Porto Alegre, Brazil · Winner; 2nd place – Best Screenplay · Rio de Janeiro International Fantastic Film Festival (RioFan) · Winner; Audience Award: Best Screenplay Film · Fixion-Sars Horror & Fantastic Film Festival of Santiago, Chile · Winner; Jury Award: Best Screenplay · Fixion-Sars Horror & Fantastic Film Festival of Santiago, Chile · Winner; Best SCI-FI Screenplay · International Horror & Sci-Fi Film Festival, Phoenix, AZ · Winner; Best Screenplay · Buenos Aires Rojo Sangre – Int'l Independent Horror, Fantasy & Bizarre, Argentina · Winner
- Production trivia
- The screenplay was completed by the writer on his deathbed.; The film was widely distributed through Internet peer-to-peer networks.; The film was adapted into a stage play in 2012.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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