Movies

Music icon David Bowie’s best films might surprise you

BBG News

Few musicians have managed to exert as much impact on the music scene while also being significantly shaped by others as extensively as David Bowie did during his extensive rock ‘n’ roll career. Remarkably versatile, Bowie excelled in various musical styles.

Regardless of whether it was his glam rock style on albums such as “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars” (1973) and “Aladdin Sane” (1974), his distinctive blending of soul music in “Young Americans” (1976), or the mainstream pop fame he achieved with “Let’s Dance” (1983), Bowie consistently followed the artistic paths that his visions guided him towards.

Right from the start of my journey, I found myself breaking boundaries in my art, venturing into various media forms. It wasn’t long before I made my debut on the silver screen, all while keeping my iconic rock star career alive. Just as I transformed on stage, I embraced numerous roles and personas in films, demonstrating that I was indeed an ever-evolving artist at heart.

Best movies David Bowie has been a part of

Bowie transitioned into being more than just associated with his music; he became synonymous with numerous unforgettable film characters. Ranging from a cunning goblin king to an anxious lover and a vampire thirsting for blood, here are some of the singer’s most iconic on-screen portrayals.

The Man Who Fell To Earth (1976)

Following the retirement of his glam rock persona Ziggy Stardust, David Bowie, famously known as the “Starman,” maintained this otherworldly flair when he took on the lead role in Nicholas Roeg’s The Man Who Fell To Earth. This 1976 movie is now recognized as a cult favorite, thanks to its groundbreaking sci-fi aspects and significance as Bowie’s first foray into feature films.

David Bowie portrays Thomas Jerome Newton, an extraterrestrial who unexpectedly lands on Earth and strives to discover a solution to transport water to his drought-stricken planet. Although it was his debut acting role, Bowie’s enchanting and elusive portrayal of Newton earned him numerous acting opportunities throughout the following decades, as audiences were captivated by his performance.

As a devoted admirer, I can attest that this movie stands out due to its dreamlike and thought-provoking visuals, which were further enhanced by the exceptional acting prowess of David Bowie. It’s an experience that immerses you in a truly artistic ambiance.

Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars (1979)

As the launch of his groundbreaking 1973 album titled “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars” approached, Bowie assumed the stage character of Ziggy Stardust, crafting a legendary concept album that narrated the tale of an extraterrestrial rockstar who arrived on Earth accompanied by his backup band.

By blending androgynous style with theatrical stage presence, Ziggy Stardust emerged as a captivating symbol in contemporary music.

Following the launch of their album, Bowie and his band embarked on an extensive tour, culminating in a final performance on July 3, 1973, at London’s Hammersmith Odeon. Notably, this documentary/concert film titled Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders was recorded during this last show. It was during this concert that Bowie unexpectedly declared it as the final performance for Ziggy Stardust and his band, the Spiders.

To everyone’s astonishment, it was revealed that Bowie intended to bid farewell to the Ziggy persona and disband the Spiders from Mars, his backup group.

The concert movie underwent several years of post-production work before its 1979 debut. Not only does it encapsulate the indelible energy of Bowie during his live performances and iconic persona, but it also preserves a significant moment in his career. This was a pivotal point where a new character was being bid adieu, with many more such transformations to come.

The Hunger (1983)

In a unique blend of elements, it takes only David Bowie as a vampire in a goth-themed club musical scene to turn a film into an iconic cult favorite among the goth community. Remarkably, there’s only one movie that truly embodies this trifecta – “The Hunger,” a 1983 horror production. This film revolves around a love triangle involving a doctor (portrayed by Susan Sarandon) and a vampire duo, with David Bowie and Catherine Deneuve taking on the roles of the immortal bloodsuckers.

The movie, titled “The Hunger“, has gained a reputation among goth communities due to its intense sexual undertones, darkly romantic visuals, and gothic themes. Even David Bowie, reflecting on the film’s iconic opening scene featuring Bauhaus’ “Bela Lugosi’s Dead”, acknowledged that there was no other movie quite like “The Hunger” when it first premiered.

The film receives acclaim for blending queer and bisexual themes within the vampire narrative, a point that critics highlight alongside Bowie’s chilling portrayal and the movie’s skillful mix of violence and sensuality.

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983)

In Nagisa Oshima’s war movie, Bowie takes on the character of Major Jack Celliers, a British soldier captured by Japanese troops during World War II and confined in a prison camp. The film is celebrated not just for its stunning visuals and powerful theme promoting cross-cultural understanding, but also because of Bowie’s compelling performance as a resilient and rebellious figure, earning him acclaim.

In the time when “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence” was released, Bowie expressed that he found this role to be his most impactful and preferred one among all. He managed to secure this role following a substantial amount of recognition for his portrayal of “The Elephant Man” on Broadway. The part of Jack Celliers, widely regarded as incredibly powerful, has earned the singer acclaim from both film critics and Bowie fans for his commitment to the character.

Jazzin’ For Blue Jean (1984)

After his passing in 2016, David Bowie posthumously received five Grammy Awards for his final album “Blackstar”. These awards included the categories of Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Album, Best Alternative Music Album, Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical), and Best Recording Package.

Interestingly enough, music enthusiasts might find it surprising to know that throughout his lifetime, David Bowie only received one Grammy Award. Remarkably, he didn’t win for any of his musical projects; instead, the honor was bestowed upon him for a 21-minute short film titled “Jazzin’ For Blue Jean.”

In this way, I have aimed to rephrase your sentence while maintaining its essence and readability.

Back in 1984, I was captivated by a song titled “Blue Jean,” part of David Bowie’s album “Tonight.” The intriguing music video, titled “Jazzin’ For Blue Jean,” saw me stepping into the shoes of a character named Vic, a rather studious fellow. In this video, I found myself pursuing a girl who was smitten by none other than the flamboyant rock star Screaming Lord Byron, another alter-ego of Bowie’s. It was quite a twist!

In the movie, Bowie consistently tries to win the girl’s affection, even going so far as to deceive her by claiming he knows Screaming Lord Byron personally and can set up a meeting with him. The scene where he performs “Blue Jean” in the film eventually evolved into the song’s music video.

Bowie skillfully portrayed two characters who were polar opposites, jokingly referring to one of these roles as the one most similar to his true self in life. The song “Jazzin’ For Blue Jean” from 1985 even won a Grammy for Best Video (Short Form). Sadly, this is Bowie’s only Grammy win that wasn’t posthumous, and it’s impressive considering the project demanded both acting and musical talent.

Absolute Beginners (1986)

Moving forward with both his musical prowess and dramatic performances, Bowie furthered his acting journey by taking on a role in the 1986 rock musical film “Absolute Beginners.” This movie was adapted from Colin MacInnes’ novel of the same title and centered around the youth culture of 1950s London, encompassing music, burgeoning racial tensions, and other societal aspects of the era.

In the movie, Bowie assumes the role of one of the main characters, Vendice Partners, and he also penned the theme song for the film.

Initially, the movie “Absolute Beginners” didn’t perform well at the box office, but it has garnered more attention in recent times. David Bowie’s song “Absolute Beginners” reached the second position on the U.K. singles chart and made it to number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The music video for this song, with its neo-noir style, blends in parts from a movie, and its distinctive mix of romance and anthem quality has solidified it as a hidden gem in David Bowie’s collection.

Labyrinth (1986)

Among ’80s children worldwide, Bowie’s portrayal of the beguiling Jareth the Goblin King from Jim Henson’s Labyrinth is unforgettable. A young Sarah (Jennifer Connelly), in a moment of desperation, wishes for the Goblin King to take away her baby brother Toby. Shockingly, her wish comes true.

Jareth informs Sarah that she must make it to the core of his intricate maze, the Labyrinth, within thirteen hours, or else poor Toby will be transformed into a goblin permanently.

Jim Henson crafted “Labyrinth” as his second foray into dark fantasy following “The Dark Crystal” in 1982. At first, it garnered mixed reactions, but over time, it has evolved into a beloved cult classic. This is largely due to David Bowie’s captivating and comical portrayal, the movie’s memorable music sequences (most of which were penned by Bowie), and the endearing cast of characters that populate the story.

Initially perceived as a slightly frightening kids’ movie by some, Labyrinth has since garnered a dedicated fanbase. This fandom is kept alive through intricate theories and regular conventions, where fans don costumes inspired by the Goblin King character to pay tribute to the film.

In a perfectly balanced manner, blending genuine emotion with a touch of playfulness, Bowie masterfully played his role as Jareth, complementing Jim Henson’s famous puppets in the movie. This performance is widely regarded as one of Bowie’s finest.

The Linguini Incident (1991)

In the world of films, David Bowie tends to lean towards avant-garde or art productions instead of big-budget blockbusters, mirroring his musical career’s unconventional approach. Unlike many artists who might use acting as a stepping stone for something mainstream, Bowie’s filmography doesn’t follow that path. This pattern is evident in the cult classic movie “The Linguini Incident“, another underrated gem in his filmography.

In this production, Bowie takes on the character of Monte, a bartender in a high-end eatery, who secretly desires to marry one of the servers to secure his U.S. citizenship. On the other hand, Rosanna Arquette portrays Lucy, a waitress at the same restaurant and a clandestine escape artist in her personal life.

Monte, Lucy, and their creative friend Vivian (Eszter Balint), a designer of unconventional lingerie, concoct a plan to deceive the proprietors of the restaurant in order to secure the funds necessary for each of them to pursue their individual aspirations.

The film titled “The Linguini Incident” consistently employs an offbeat and amusing tone that significantly contributes to its status as a beloved cult classic. In essence, the movie is exceptionally entertaining and clever, bearing striking resemblance to the timeless charm of the legendary Starman himself.

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2025-06-20 13:01

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