Original British theatrical posters forNicolas Roeg’s 1976 filmThe Man Who Fell to Earth. The poster uses two fonts against aVic Fairartwork:Buskfor the title andDavid Bowiebilling – before the font was further popularized by heavy metal bandIron Maiden– andCaponefor the credits.
This typography communicates an otherworldly, angular modernism that perfectly captures the film's themes of alien displacement and 1970s sci-fi aesthetics. The stark, geometric letterforms of Busk create an unsettling futurism—cold and precise yet somehow organic, mirroring Bowie's alien character who observes humanity from the outside.
Busk's distinctive angular construction and heavy weight creates dramatic impact against the ethereal artwork, while its geometric terminals and consistent stroke width reinforce the film's themes of technological alienation. The font's sharp angles and condensed proportions generate visual tension that mirrors the protagonist's discomfort on Earth. Capone's more conventional letterforms for credits provide necessary hierarchy without competing with the title treatment.
The pairing creates perfect hierarchy through contrast—Busk's bold, angular personality dominates as the title font while Capone's cleaner, more neutral forms recede appropriately for credit information. This creates visual breathing room and prevents typographic chaos while maintaining the poster's alien aesthetic through the primary typeface choice.