The Man from Earth: Key Themes and Ending Explained
Imagine living for more than 14,000 years, witnessing many historical events and figures, and changing your identity every ten years to avoid suspicion. That’s the premise of The Man from Earth, a 2007 science fiction drama film directed by Richard Schenkman and written by Jerome Bixby. The film stars David Lee Smith as John Oldman, a university professor who reveals his extraordinary secret to his colleagues during his farewell party.
We will explore the film’s plot summary, ending, and themes in this article. I have also included a link at the end of this article from where you can watch this movie. Spoilers Ahead
The Man from Earth Plot Summary: Unveiling the Secret
At the beginning of the movie, John Oldman is preparing to move to a new home, and his colleagues arrive to give him an impromptu farewell party. As they press him to explain the reason for his departure, he poses the question: “What if a man from the Upper Paleolithic survived until the present day?”
John then reveals that he is that man and that he has lived for more than 14 millennia, changing his identity every ten years to avoid suspicion. John tells stories of his past lives as a Sumerian, a Babylonian, a disciple of Buddha, a friend of Van Gogh, and more.
John also claims that he was once Jesus of Nazareth, but that his teachings were distorted by his followers. He claims that he performed no miracles and that he survived the crucifixion because of his healing abilities. He also says that he met another immortal like him once, but they lost contact. He expresses his doubts and fears about his existence and his purpose, questioning the existence of God and the meaning of life.
John’s colleagues are skeptical and challenge his story with their own expertise and logic. They also wonder why he is telling them this now and what he plans to do next. Meanwhile, Art calls another friend, Dr. Gruber, a psychologist, to join them and evaluate John’s mental state.
Ending Explained: A Shocking Twist
The film ends with a shocking twist: Gruber recognizes John as his father who disappeared 60 years ago. He confronts John and accuses him of abandoning him and his mother. John admits that he is indeed Gruber’s father and that he left them because he could not bear to watch them grow old and die.
Gruber is overwhelmed by this revelation and suffers a fatal heart attack. John has to watch his child die for the first time in 14,000 years.
The ending of The Man from Earth leaves some ambiguity about whether John’s story is true or not. On one hand, Gruber’s death seems to confirm John’s identity as his father and as the owner of the Van Gogh painting. On the other hand, it could also be seen by a skeptic as a coincidence or a fabrication by John to manipulate his friends’ emotions. The film does not provide any definitive proof or disproof of John’s claims, leaving it up to the viewer’s interpretation.
Themes and Messages: The Meaning of The Man from Earth
The Man from Earth explores various themes such as immortality, history, religion, identity, loneliness, love, death, and truth. The film examines the advantages and disadvantages of living forever through John’s perspective.
John has witnessed many wonders and horrors of human history, learned many languages and skills, met many influential people and cultures, but he has also experienced many losses and tragedies. He feels lonely and isolated from humanity, as he cannot form lasting relationships or share his secrets with anyone. He also questions the existence of God and the meaning of life, as he does not know why he is immortal or what his purpose is.
The film also challenges the conventional views of history and religion through John’s stories. He contradicts some of the established facts and beliefs about various historical events and figures, offering alternative perspectives and interpretations based on his personal experiences and knowledge.
John also exposes some of the flaws and contradictions of human society and culture, such as violence, oppression, intolerance, ignorance, and fanaticism. He criticizes some of the dogmas and doctrines that have caused wars and conflicts among people while advocating for a more rational and compassionate approach to life and morality.
Overall, the Man from Earth is a captivating and thought-provoking film that explores the implications of immortality through a compelling dialogue among a group of intellectuals.
The film raises many interesting questions about history, religion, identity, loneliness, love, death, and truth without providing easy answers or solutions. The film relies on the power of storytelling and imagination to engage the viewer’s curiosity and empathy.
The film also features a brilliant performance by David Lee Smith as John Oldman, who conveys a range of emotions and nuances with subtle gestures and expressions. The film is a masterpiece of low-budget filmmaking that proves that a good story can transcend any limitations of time or space.
Where To Watch The Man from Earth?
The creators of The Man from Earth – Global Entertainment – have uploaded this movie for free on YouTube. You may watch the movie below:
