The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

It's heartening to know, according to Stefanie Powers, that Holden and Schroder formed such a loving bond that Schroder grew up to name his two boys William and Holden. And there's some interesing scenery here. But the dialogue is such try-hard tripe. No two guys would act the way Holden and the other geezer yell at each other. Holden mutters to himself to explain to half-wit viewers, presumably, what he's thinking even though we've already figured it out. And what's with Schroder? Is he spoiled or brain damaged. Everybody in this movie yells. Subtle as a sledgehammer and not very satisfying. That said, Holden looks surprisingly good for a guy who would soon die in real life. It's a travesty he didn't live to make better movies or to retire to his property in Africa.

I'm a big William Holden fan and this film has had such good reviews I was quite desperate to see it. Trouble is, I couldn't find it anywhere new or used. Then, during one of my periodical Google searches for it I found it was posted on Youtube. Well, it's there in six parts and the quality is not so good, but if you can put up with it you'll find it's a really good movie. My rating is probably too high because I'm such a Holden fan, but he really gives a remarkable performance and the story itself is quite wonderful. Basically it's the story of a bitter and lonely man coming home to die in the Austrian outback but along his way he finds a young boy lost and alone. He can't take the boy back to civilization, he doesn't have that long, so he must take the boy deeper into the wild and teach him to survive along the way. The movie could have been very melodramatic but the cast and director don't go that way, it's played very straight and matter of fact. Rickie Schroder does a fine job as the boy, not cloying at all. I sure hope they come up with a DVD of this movie, but until then, check it out on Youtube.

The production is poor, but the performances of the actors are excellent. You can feel the drama in each sense. A newer version or DVD will be appreciated. For Spanish talking people there are no subtitles or anything like that. Also the quality of the audio is poor. I am giving the best score, because is a clean movie for all the family, to teach them that you can succeed in the worst conditions. The film shows a boy (Rick), that is over protected by the parents. They died, so he is alone. Holden sees all the tragedy, but he has a few time (who has enough?)to show him how to survive, live and be good. You must see the film, it has a life lesson, not only for parents.

I like The Earthling. This was the first film Ricky Schroder made after The Last Flight Of Noah's Ark (now there is a real classic). He does a wonderful job appearing with one of Hollywood's legends. I read a biography of Bill Holden's and it said that he and Ricky had a ball working together and it surely shows in this fine film. The chemistry between them is sensational. This man teaches the boy how to survive and he teaches the man how to love. Yes it is dark and depressing, but I feel that makes it a better movie because it is not typical Hollywood schmaltz. Peter Collinson, the director of the film was dying of cancer as it was being made and less then a year after the film was released, William Holden died in a drunken fall in his home. He fell and gashed his head on a nightstand and bled to death his body not being found for several days. Holden is truly one of Hollywood's most tragic fatalities. This man was loved by all who knew him, but he just didn't love himself. I don't think the Earthling has ever been shown on Tv and I think that is a real shame. It is not a happy film to watch yes, but it is an example of fine filmaking. A sort of film noir if you will. A possible spoiler here, Holden's character dies and I always wondered if Ricky made it back to civilization in the end.