Legendary sci-fi writer Jerome Bixby (who wrote some of the best known episodes of the original Star Trek and Twilight Zone) finished the script for The Man From Earth on his deathbed. The entire film takes place in a remote New Mexico cabin, devoid of flashy special effects or other CGI staples of modern Hollywood science fiction, this clever psychological minefield is sown by the seeds of sci-fi possibility.
From the official website:
"An impromptu goodbye party for Professor John Oldman becomes a mysterious and intense interrogation after the retiring scholar reveals to his colleagues he is an immortal who has walked the earth for 14,000 years."
Made for $200,000, The Man From Earth epitomizes do-it-yourself filmmaking. Like a finely-crafted stageplay, the story takes place over the course of a long conversation between friends one afternoon where no subject is too taboo and the underlying sci-fi premise guides the participants into deeply philosophical and controversial territories.
Is he what he claims to be? No spoilers here, sorry. Instead just see it for yourself; its worth it. The film is widely available on DVD and for the time being, streaming online via Netflix.
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