An alien takes the form of a young Wisconsin widow's husband and makes her drive him to his departure point in Arizona. Distrustful government agents, along with a more ambivalent scientist,... Read allAn alien takes the form of a young Wisconsin widow's husband and makes her drive him to his departure point in Arizona. Distrustful government agents, along with a more ambivalent scientist, give pursuit in hopes of intercepting them.An alien takes the form of a young Wisconsin widow's husband and makes her drive him to his departure point in Arizona. Distrustful government agents, along with a more ambivalent scientist, give pursuit in hopes of intercepting them.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 win & 6 nominations total
- Hot Rodder
- (as Sean Faro)
- Cook
- (as Buck Flower)
- S-61 Pilot
- (as Jim Deeth)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis script was being developed at "Columbia" at the same time as another script about an alien visitation. The studio did not want to make both, so the head of the studio had to choose which film to make; he decided to make this one and let the other script go to a rival studio. The other script was for "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)." After 'E.T.' became such a huge hit, apparently 'Starman' sat on the shelf for almost three years before the Columbia Pictures studio agreed to release it.
- GoofsThe Rolling Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" was not on the Voyager 1 & 2 disks. Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode" was.
- Quotes
Mark Shermin: Have people from your world been here before?
Starman: Before yes. We are interested in your species.
Mark Shermin: You mean you're some kind of anthropologist? Is that what you're doing here? Just checking us out?
Starman: You are a strange species. Not like any other. And you'd be surprised how many there are. Intelligent but savage. Shall I tell you what I find beautiful about you?
[Shermin nods]
Starman: You are at your very best when things are worst.
- Crazy creditsSecond To Last Note Appearing In The Film's Closing Credits:
Other than the Voyager Satellite expedition depicted in this Picture, which expedition actually occurred, the characters and incidents portrayed and the names used herein are fictitious, and any similarity to the name, character or history of any person is entirely coincidental and unintentional.
- ConnectionsFeatured in At the Movies: Dune/Starman/Mass Appeal/Runaway (1984)
- Soundtracks(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
Written by Mick Jagger (as Michael Jagger) and Keith Richards (as Keith Richard)
Published by ABKCO Music Inc.
Performed by The Rolling Stones
Courtesy of ABKCO Records Inc.
Basically, a perfect little movie. Beautifully and simply set up, the characters develop naturally in such a way that keeps you hooked right through to the end of the film. The strength of the central relationship distracts you from little infelicities, such as the fact that "Jennyhayden" seems remarkably incurious about her alien visitor - even after she gets to know him, it's not until he's about to leave that she asks him what his world is like! The film nicely points out the irony of our having extended welcoming greetings to the Universe, while our own mutual distrust causes us to shoot down every unexpected flying visitor. Having established that, however, Richard Jaekel's character seems to be pursuing the violent solution for its own sake without really exploring any motivation. When Charles Martin Smith points out that our behaviour does appear a little rude, Jaekel doesn't even have an answer for him - he's just going to try to kill the alien because that's his role in the movie I guess!
"Do you know what I find most beautiful about you? You are at your best when things are at their worst."
Well, it has been 19 years - I guess that the "boy baby" has grown up. Time for the sequel, methinks!!
- Clive-Silas
- Jun 4, 2003
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- John Carpenter's Starman
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $22,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $28,744,356
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $2,872,022
- Dec 16, 1984
- Gross worldwide
- $28,744,356
- Runtime1 hour 55 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1