The Man from Earth | A Sci-Fi Masterpiece by Jerome Bixby

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SUMMARY

"The Man from Earth," a dialogue-driven sci-fi film by Jerome Bixby, explores the life of Professor John Oldman, who reveals his extraordinary past during a farewell gathering. Bixby, known for his contributions to "Star Trek" and "The Twilight Zone," worked on this project for many years before his passing, with his son completing the film. The movie is currently available for streaming on Amazon, and it has garnered a dedicated following due to its unique storytelling approach and refusal to rely on expensive visual effects.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of dialogue-driven storytelling in film
  • Familiarity with Jerome Bixby's contributions to science fiction
  • Knowledge of the film's thematic elements regarding immortality and human experience
  • Awareness of the production history of "The Man from Earth"
NEXT STEPS
  • Research Jerome Bixby's complete works, including his contributions to "Star Trek" and "The Twilight Zone"
  • Watch "The Man from Earth" and analyze its narrative structure
  • Explore the sequel "The Man From Earth - Holocene" and compare its themes and execution
  • Investigate the impact of low-budget filmmaking on storytelling in science fiction
USEFUL FOR

Film enthusiasts, sci-fi fans, and students of screenwriting who are interested in dialogue-driven narratives and the legacy of Jerome Bixby.

Ivan Seeking
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One of my absolute favorite sci-fi movies, it is entirely dialogue driven and a wonderfully fun story; so much so that I hate to give anything away. I read that the author Jerome Bixby, worked on the story for many years and died before it was finished. Luckily his son stepped up and finished his father's masterpiece.

It is available for streaming now on Amazon
An impromptu goodbye party for Professor John Oldman becomes a mysterious interrogation after the retiring scholar reveals to his colleagues he has a longer and stranger past than they can imagine.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077N4M7PQ/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Bixby had one heck of a resume, including work on a good number of Star Trek books and the original Twilight Zone series
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?833
 
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Ivan Seeking said:
including work on a good number of Star Trek books
And four episodes of the original series, including Requiem for Methuselah.
 
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Yeah, it is one of my favs also. I was just thinking yesterday how I would like to see it again.

I also remember a conversation with his son who said how that movie had a long gestation period because studios wanted it to have expensive recreations of the past to which Bixby refused.
 
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Tiger Blood said:
Yeah, it is one of my favs also. I was just thinking yesterday how I would like to see it again.

I also remember a conversation with his son who said how that movie had a long gestation period because studios wanted it to have expensive recreations of the past to which Bixby refused.
Cool. I'm glad Bixby insisted. It is perfect they way it is [not including some of the acting :)].

Did you know they made a sequel? The Man From Earth - Holocene. Honestly I watched it way back but don't remember much. So it must not have made a significant impression. I need to rewatch it.