53 reviews
Intriguing but over-extended audience teaser, strengthened by Moore's career-best performance.
- barnabyrudge
- Feb 10, 2007
- Permalink
A truly hilarious semi-psychedelic thriller
A collector's item this one - you very rarely see a film as absurd yet enthralling as this. The plot is fabulously illogical, but it provides an opportunity to see Roger Moore in a role far more interesting than James Bond, as pin-striped executive Harold Pelham. Except that he plays TWO Harold Pelham's - one nice, dull, and sexually inadequate; the other a cavalier and sinister Romeo. This means a lot of Moore chasing round London insisting "I'm Harold Pelham!", and a climactic and weirdly psychedelic car-chase involving nice Pelham and nasty Pelham. If this hasn't yet acquired a cult following, it ought to.
Haunting.
A fascinating story - a man haunted by his doppelganger - and Roger Moore's excellent performance(s) make this film worth seeing, even though it overelaborates its point somewhat (the situation becomes clear to us long before Moore figures it out). Still, what we have here is an example of how a good movie can be produced on a relatively low budget, as long as it has a strong script and dependable actors. (***)
Great mysterious film!
I'm a big Roger Moore fan (the REAL 007) but I only heard about this film recently. I finally got a copy and I think it's a dynamite film. Not because I'm a big Moore fan - if a film sucks, I turn it off. But this movie is far better than all the reviews Ive ever read on it.
I don't believe it drags at all - the pacing is great, especially where Moore keeps on discovering more and more people have seen "him" when it really was his double. Seeing hoe much deeper and deeper Moores double intergrates himself into Moore's life - his work, his liesure, his wife and home - is done extremely well. The inevitable confrontation between the two Pelhams is also done very well, and the ending is a kicker.
Moore is great as usual and plays both roles with style and class.
I don't believe it drags at all - the pacing is great, especially where Moore keeps on discovering more and more people have seen "him" when it really was his double. Seeing hoe much deeper and deeper Moores double intergrates himself into Moore's life - his work, his liesure, his wife and home - is done extremely well. The inevitable confrontation between the two Pelhams is also done very well, and the ending is a kicker.
Moore is great as usual and plays both roles with style and class.
Riveting supernatural thriller
Pre 007 Roger Moore plays a City businessman who finds himself being haunted by his doppelganger following a near fatal car crash. Very well made supernatural thriller which proves that you do not need gore or jump scares to make a film scary. It moves at a fast pace & kept me enthralled throughout. Good cast including a fine performance by Moore. Love the old Lamborghini that his duplicate drives around in!
- Stevieboy666
- Dec 9, 2017
- Permalink
"Espionage isn't all James Bond on Her Majesty's Secret Service"
That's what Roger Moore says in this film before he even became James Bond. Ha ha. It's a classic film moment. In this film, Moore has a high-powered job but he's a little dull in his bowler hat life routine. However, after he has a car crash, there seems to be a second Moore living a parallel life to him, meeting with people he knows and even his wife and children. We mainly watch the film from the perspective of the dulloid Moore and follow his descent into paranoia.
His doppelganger is a more cunning version of himself – jumping in to bed with the ladies (of course) and craftily manipulating business deals. His servant is that bloke from "Mind Your Language" – you know, "Max" the Greek guy. We don't see much of the doppelganger but are aware of his presence throughout the film and this keeps the mystery going. The music is fun but the actual story is complete nonsense with no attempt to tie up the ludicrous plot. It doesn't matter – just approach it with an awareness that this isn't realistic and go with the flow.
His doppelganger is a more cunning version of himself – jumping in to bed with the ladies (of course) and craftily manipulating business deals. His servant is that bloke from "Mind Your Language" – you know, "Max" the Greek guy. We don't see much of the doppelganger but are aware of his presence throughout the film and this keeps the mystery going. The music is fun but the actual story is complete nonsense with no attempt to tie up the ludicrous plot. It doesn't matter – just approach it with an awareness that this isn't realistic and go with the flow.
So naive. So seventies.
Freaky suspenseful and intriguing British movie about a car crash with unexpected side effects
While executive Roger Moore finds under critical condition on the operation table later a car crash , his alter-ego emerges and turns his happy, lucky life -along with wife Hildegard Neil , and children- into a real nightmare. As we follow in tension to the unfortunate Moore in his attempt to solve the twisted puzzle, while receiving advises from his psychiatrist : Freddie Jones . His Life is Upset ! . Stalked by fear and terror night and day !. You will live every shattering moment of terror with... The man Who Haunted Himself.
This one seems to be an expanded rendition of an episode of Rod Serling's "Twilight Zone" or the TV series "Alfred Hitchcock presents" . An exciting picture mixing palm-sweeting intrigue, bizarre events, thrills , chills , plot twists and dull stretches. The plot is plain and simple, recovering from a car wreck , a man starts questioning his sanity when it shows up his exact doppleganger assuming his position in the world. As it appeals primarily to those fascinated for these popular series where mystery matters most . This was Roger Moore's first movie after having starred in the TV series The Saint . Moore provides perhaps his best screen acting in this interesting and attractive film about a wealthy man who finds his life being taken by a double. He is well accompanied by a fine support cast, such as Hildegard Nell , Olga Georges Picot , Anton Rodger , Thorley Walters , Laurence Hardy, Edward Chapman, John Welsh, and special mention for Freddie Jones as a pill-swallowing, switching psychologist, among others
It displays a thrilling and moving musical score by Michael J. Lewis. As well as appropriate and functional cinematography by Spratling, completely filmed in London. This imaginative Chiller-Thriller picture was compellingly directed by Basil Dearden, being his last film, in fact he died by car accident the following year . He was a good craftsman , directing nice films through a long career, such as : The assassination bureau, Masquerade, The League of Gentlemen, The smallest show on Earth, Karthoum , Sapphire , Dead of night, Captive Heart , The ship that died of Shame, Victim , All night long, Only when I larf, The Square Ring, Train of events , Out of the Clouds , They came to a City , Halfway House, Pool of London, Gentle Gunman and TV series as Persuaders , among others . Rating 6.5/10. Well worth watching due to keep the spectator involved from start to finish .
This one seems to be an expanded rendition of an episode of Rod Serling's "Twilight Zone" or the TV series "Alfred Hitchcock presents" . An exciting picture mixing palm-sweeting intrigue, bizarre events, thrills , chills , plot twists and dull stretches. The plot is plain and simple, recovering from a car wreck , a man starts questioning his sanity when it shows up his exact doppleganger assuming his position in the world. As it appeals primarily to those fascinated for these popular series where mystery matters most . This was Roger Moore's first movie after having starred in the TV series The Saint . Moore provides perhaps his best screen acting in this interesting and attractive film about a wealthy man who finds his life being taken by a double. He is well accompanied by a fine support cast, such as Hildegard Nell , Olga Georges Picot , Anton Rodger , Thorley Walters , Laurence Hardy, Edward Chapman, John Welsh, and special mention for Freddie Jones as a pill-swallowing, switching psychologist, among others
It displays a thrilling and moving musical score by Michael J. Lewis. As well as appropriate and functional cinematography by Spratling, completely filmed in London. This imaginative Chiller-Thriller picture was compellingly directed by Basil Dearden, being his last film, in fact he died by car accident the following year . He was a good craftsman , directing nice films through a long career, such as : The assassination bureau, Masquerade, The League of Gentlemen, The smallest show on Earth, Karthoum , Sapphire , Dead of night, Captive Heart , The ship that died of Shame, Victim , All night long, Only when I larf, The Square Ring, Train of events , Out of the Clouds , They came to a City , Halfway House, Pool of London, Gentle Gunman and TV series as Persuaders , among others . Rating 6.5/10. Well worth watching due to keep the spectator involved from start to finish .
The Pelham Paranoia.
With its 1970s chic cheese and swagger and Roger Moore's excellent performance, The Man Who Haunted Himself has a considerable cult fan base. Directed by British legend Basil Dearden, plot finds Moore as Harold Pelham, who after being involved in a serious car accident, comes around from the trauma to find that his life is being turned upside down. It seems that somebody is impersonating him, people he knows swear he was in places he hasn't been, that he has been making decisions at work that he knows nothing about, and that he has a sexy mistress that threatens to destroy his marriage. Is he going mad? A victim of a collective practical joke? Or is there really something more sinister going on?
Don't be a slave to convention!
So yeah! A cult gem waiting to be rediscovered is The Man Who Haunted Himself, it has a plot that positively bristles with intrigue. As the doppleganger motif is tightly wound by Dearden, who smartly sticks to understated scene constructions as opposed to supernatural excess, there's a realistic and human feel to the story. The makers are not going for jolt shocks, but taking a considered approach that has the pertinent mystery elements lurking in the background, waiting for their chance to reveal themselves for the utterly thrilling finale. A finale that is bold and special, obvious but not, and definitely tinged with cunning ambiguity.
With Moore drawing on talent from his acting pool that many thought he didn't have (two different characterisations smartly realised here), and Dearden pulling the technical strings (love those off-kilter angles and multi mirrored images), this is a film that has surprises in store all across the board. 8/10
Don't be a slave to convention!
So yeah! A cult gem waiting to be rediscovered is The Man Who Haunted Himself, it has a plot that positively bristles with intrigue. As the doppleganger motif is tightly wound by Dearden, who smartly sticks to understated scene constructions as opposed to supernatural excess, there's a realistic and human feel to the story. The makers are not going for jolt shocks, but taking a considered approach that has the pertinent mystery elements lurking in the background, waiting for their chance to reveal themselves for the utterly thrilling finale. A finale that is bold and special, obvious but not, and definitely tinged with cunning ambiguity.
With Moore drawing on talent from his acting pool that many thought he didn't have (two different characterisations smartly realised here), and Dearden pulling the technical strings (love those off-kilter angles and multi mirrored images), this is a film that has surprises in store all across the board. 8/10
- hitchcockthelegend
- Nov 5, 2013
- Permalink
Great premise, solid execution
- Leofwine_draca
- Aug 29, 2016
- Permalink
Could have been good but an indifferent climax spoils it.
- poolandrews
- Sep 5, 2012
- Permalink
What WOULD you do if it happened to you?
if ever a cumulative rating for a movie was insane it is THIS one! 5.3? yeah right. It's a 7 - end of story!
Long before Moore's incarnation as 007, this is arguably near the top of Moore's filmography. After Harold Pelham has a near-death experience following an auto accident, he makes what appears to be a stoic recovery. It is only with the passage of time that he begins to notice subtle occurrences that don't seem to dovetail with his own personality. Either he is losing his mind or there is something remarkably rotten in the state of Denmark. Friends and business acqaintances swear they have interacted with him, moments BEFORE he arrives at work...his wife notices a radical change in him and ultimately the inescapable truth presents itself - he has a doppelganger!
Call it far-fetched..its about the only weak point in the flick. Moore is just brilliant as he unravels in the face of his doppelganger's one-upmanship. The final scenes where he confronts his "twin" are riveting and should silence the tidal wave of critics who insist Moore could never act!
A few years ago it was rumored that the film was to be re-made in New Zealand (Peter Jackson?) as DOPPELGANGER, with no less a personage than Travolta in the lead, and he would certainly do the role justice. Since then, heard nothing.
This flick is well worth your effort finding somewhere, even on video.
Long before Moore's incarnation as 007, this is arguably near the top of Moore's filmography. After Harold Pelham has a near-death experience following an auto accident, he makes what appears to be a stoic recovery. It is only with the passage of time that he begins to notice subtle occurrences that don't seem to dovetail with his own personality. Either he is losing his mind or there is something remarkably rotten in the state of Denmark. Friends and business acqaintances swear they have interacted with him, moments BEFORE he arrives at work...his wife notices a radical change in him and ultimately the inescapable truth presents itself - he has a doppelganger!
Call it far-fetched..its about the only weak point in the flick. Moore is just brilliant as he unravels in the face of his doppelganger's one-upmanship. The final scenes where he confronts his "twin" are riveting and should silence the tidal wave of critics who insist Moore could never act!
A few years ago it was rumored that the film was to be re-made in New Zealand (Peter Jackson?) as DOPPELGANGER, with no less a personage than Travolta in the lead, and he would certainly do the role justice. Since then, heard nothing.
This flick is well worth your effort finding somewhere, even on video.
Superb acting
You are in for a first really slow 30 minutes. Then it goes on the rest 56 in just a slow pace. But except from that the movie is really great. The story is fascinating and keeps you awake despite the slow tempo. Roger Moore does his best effort as an actor and he really plays marvelous. Just to see his acting is enough for seeing this movie.
- martin_humble
- Sep 26, 2000
- Permalink
Liked it, but wasted potential
- bombersflyup
- Mar 7, 2018
- Permalink
Carried by Moore's good performance(s)
Harold Pelham is a steady executive type who drives carefully, wears the same tie everyday and is a thoroughly dependable sort of chap. One day he is driving home when he has a car crash, he is rushed to hospital where his heart stops and he is saved by a medical team. Back at work after recovering he begins to suffer from memory losses people tell him he played snooker last night but he can't remember etc. He begins to suspect that someone is impersonating him and is starting to live his life but that's crazy, isn't it?
Moore of the period will always be remembered for being Bond more than any other role he played. The downside of this is that he is seen as the weaker Bond the one who become more about innuendo and jokes than anything else. This film though, shows that Moore is a great actor one who is capable of lifting a film and making it better than it was on paper. The plot here could easily have spun wildly out of control and indeed, at times, it comes very close to being unintentionally funny. However the film keeps it's air of mystery well even when we are sure that there is a doppelganger on the loose the film still won't let us see more than his back or his hand etc. By doing this it actually makes the scene where the two meet to be quite effective. Of course it's all nonsense but it's well played nonsense.
The main reason it works is Moore's increasingly unhinged performance as the final hour goes by you can actually see him come apart like he was an old woollen sweater! It is difficult not to buy into the film because he is so convincing. His alter ego is also pretty good but it is the descent into desperation that he undergoes that makes this watchable. As a result I didn't really notice the input of the support cast they were all quite solid but it was easily Moore's film. However, being a man, I did get distracted by Georges-Picot waltzing around in sexy underwear in several scenes and I also thought Jones' psychiatrist looked like Dr Strangelove!
Overall this deserves to have a cult following if it doesn't already, The visual effects are poor and the plot is absurd. Were it not for the brilliant Moore then this film would have been better played for laughs. Happily he carries it and holds the audience in his hand. The only weak point was the ending which, although clever, was a bit of an anticlimax in fact the final 10 minutes didn't quite match the suspense that had been created in the build up.
Moore of the period will always be remembered for being Bond more than any other role he played. The downside of this is that he is seen as the weaker Bond the one who become more about innuendo and jokes than anything else. This film though, shows that Moore is a great actor one who is capable of lifting a film and making it better than it was on paper. The plot here could easily have spun wildly out of control and indeed, at times, it comes very close to being unintentionally funny. However the film keeps it's air of mystery well even when we are sure that there is a doppelganger on the loose the film still won't let us see more than his back or his hand etc. By doing this it actually makes the scene where the two meet to be quite effective. Of course it's all nonsense but it's well played nonsense.
The main reason it works is Moore's increasingly unhinged performance as the final hour goes by you can actually see him come apart like he was an old woollen sweater! It is difficult not to buy into the film because he is so convincing. His alter ego is also pretty good but it is the descent into desperation that he undergoes that makes this watchable. As a result I didn't really notice the input of the support cast they were all quite solid but it was easily Moore's film. However, being a man, I did get distracted by Georges-Picot waltzing around in sexy underwear in several scenes and I also thought Jones' psychiatrist looked like Dr Strangelove!
Overall this deserves to have a cult following if it doesn't already, The visual effects are poor and the plot is absurd. Were it not for the brilliant Moore then this film would have been better played for laughs. Happily he carries it and holds the audience in his hand. The only weak point was the ending which, although clever, was a bit of an anticlimax in fact the final 10 minutes didn't quite match the suspense that had been created in the build up.
- bob the moo
- Jun 28, 2003
- Permalink
Good
- TurboarrowIII
- Aug 20, 2017
- Permalink
A Metaphysical Thriller, With Some Flaws
A Unique Thriller that Falls Flat due to a Low Budget,
The Man Who Haunted Himself is a good movie with a reasonably well developed storyline and a terrific cast. For a ninety minute film, it's quite slow to begin, but once the story properly kicks off it is very intriguing, as we follow a man who suspects someone may be impersonating him, a situation which ends up being even more insane than he expected. Roger Moore's performance in this film is astounding, and it's a shame he will never get the recognition he deserves for the hard work he put in to this role, long before James Bond he proved that he was well able to play deranged men, but due to poor marketing, this film never took off. The budget was clearly very low and because of that it does fail to deliver its complete potential, there are limited locations, Pelham's office building and house being where the majority of the scenes take place, and some parts felt very thrown together, as if they did it in one take, not trying to perfect it. The ending is the main reason I am giving this a seven instead of an eight, the build up and tension of the two Pelham's finally meeting is well executed, the scene when they finally meet is the highlight of the entire movie, and suddenly it felt as if they could not think of how to end it, it's ridiculously anti-climatic, leaving so many unanswered questions, you could not help but feel frustrated. Roger Moore certainly brings in a fantastic performance that adds to the thrills, and though it may have many flaws, The Man Who Haunted Himself is still worth the watch if you are looking for a good thriller.
A man suspects a duplicate of him may be roaming about and living his life in a more luxurious fashion.
Best Performance: Roger Moore
A man suspects a duplicate of him may be roaming about and living his life in a more luxurious fashion.
Best Performance: Roger Moore
- lesleyharris30
- Mar 12, 2016
- Permalink
Two beats
Roger Moore has always taken his acting lightly. However you do not build a successful career in both UK and USA television and become a successful international film star without a modicum of talent.
In The Man Who Haunted Himself, Moore plays a wealthy business executive Harold Pelham whose company is considering getting involved in a merger. We initially see Pelham dressed conservatively and driving home carefully. Somewhere along the road he seems to have become possessed, he speeds up his car and gets involved in a terrible car accident.
As he recovers from his injuries, an alter ego is unleashed, more cavalier, risk taking, dashing and begins to live Pelham's life. This Pelham uses cunning to make his company's share sale to be even more profitable. He has a casual affair and even has a perked up sex life with his wife.
The real Pelham slowly realises that a doppelganger is on the loose and tries to get his life back on track.
Not a raised eyebrow in sight in this film. This is regarded as Moore's favourite film and he really shows his acting chops, Moore even gets to make a reference to James Bond, a role he would next play.
The film is really an updated version of Jekyll & Hyde but there is a sense of eeriness as the film concentrates on the real, more dull Pelham when he hears reports of the other double's activities such as thrashing someone in snooker, dabbling in some industrial espionage or being in some swanky club leaving him confused.
Director Basil Dearden might have shown a dated view of London for even the early 1970s but he gets a uniformly excellent performance from his cast and you genuinely wonder how the film will end as to which Pelham will win out.
In The Man Who Haunted Himself, Moore plays a wealthy business executive Harold Pelham whose company is considering getting involved in a merger. We initially see Pelham dressed conservatively and driving home carefully. Somewhere along the road he seems to have become possessed, he speeds up his car and gets involved in a terrible car accident.
As he recovers from his injuries, an alter ego is unleashed, more cavalier, risk taking, dashing and begins to live Pelham's life. This Pelham uses cunning to make his company's share sale to be even more profitable. He has a casual affair and even has a perked up sex life with his wife.
The real Pelham slowly realises that a doppelganger is on the loose and tries to get his life back on track.
Not a raised eyebrow in sight in this film. This is regarded as Moore's favourite film and he really shows his acting chops, Moore even gets to make a reference to James Bond, a role he would next play.
The film is really an updated version of Jekyll & Hyde but there is a sense of eeriness as the film concentrates on the real, more dull Pelham when he hears reports of the other double's activities such as thrashing someone in snooker, dabbling in some industrial espionage or being in some swanky club leaving him confused.
Director Basil Dearden might have shown a dated view of London for even the early 1970s but he gets a uniformly excellent performance from his cast and you genuinely wonder how the film will end as to which Pelham will win out.
- Prismark10
- Aug 18, 2016
- Permalink
The two sides of Roger Moore
Harold Pelham gets in a freaky car accident, but survives.After that he believes there's a duplicate of himself messing up his life.The Man Who Haunted Himself (1970) is directed by Basil Dearden.This was actually his last movie and he died in a car accident near the spot Pelham is supposed to have crashed his car in the beginning of the film.Roger Moore proves here he really is a great actor.All those James Bond films may not give the biggest challenge as an actor, but here he really has to act.His wife Eve is played brilliantly by Hildegard Neil.Olga Georges-Picot is fantastic as the doppelgänger's lover Julie Anderson.Freddie Jones is terrific as Dr. Harris- Psychiatrist.Also great job by people like Gerald Sim (Morrison) and John Carson (Ashton).This is a really fascinating film.It has been called underrated, and that is very true.There's that psychedelic feeling going there.Like when Pelham is escaping his duplicate and he breaks the mirror and we see many Pelhams laughing there.The music is one element that helps create the atmosphere.And it is really a joy to see two Roger Moores in the same room.
Dubious Doppelganger
The Man Who Haunted Himself (1970): A bit dated in attitudes to societal roles something it shares with it's contemporaneous film No Blade Of Grass but it's not as good or influential as Blade. Harold Pelham (Roger Moore) an upper middle c;ass businessman is involved in a near fatal car accident which appears to have set a doppelganger loose after he briefly "dies" on the operating table. The double is his dark side, taking on corporeal form, appearing at his club when he's out of the country, womanising, getting involved in dodgy business deals. An interesting portrait of a man descending into existential despair and paranoia, doubting his own sanity. Good (double) performance by Moore but a few too many stiff upper lips about. It's based om an Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode, it was perhaps overextended and might worked netter with a 45 minute running time. Written and directed by Basil Dearden (who died in a car accident shortly after completing the film, cur Twilight Zone theme), 6/10.
A most unsatisfying movie
- charles-p-hall
- Jul 3, 2017
- Permalink
Roger Moore in his best film
Loved the film,Roger Moore does one of his best performances I have seen
and an interesting little B picture
- adriantimothy-44946
- Dec 19, 2019
- Permalink
7.1/10. Recommended
I've watched recently some other movies dealing with the same "Doppelgagger" motive. Some of them were great (BLACK SWAN, DEAD RINGERS, MULHOLAND DRIVE). Some, not so much (ENEMY, THE DOUBLE). THE MAN WHO HAUNTED HIMSELF is probably a pioneer, being made in 1970. To whom it may concern, there is a fine short story by Edgar Allan Poe with the same theme (William Wilson).
Now, about this : This is a good drama mystery movie that kept my attention until the ending. It's not a mindblowing experience and the whole explanation about what happened is somewhat weak and it doesn't make much sense. But still, it's more plausible than other movies with a similar plot. In any case, anyone who read the synopsis and wants to watch it, is not expecting much i guess. Just a good character study movie with good acting performances and some intense moments. That's exactly what you get here. Moore does his best, movie is getting better by the minute and it's watchable, at worst. For me, it's better than a just watchable movie because i was very curious to see where it goes. Some interesting twists and turns and an obscure but not dissatisfying ending. For sure, its better than this Villeneuve movie (ENEMY, 2013) and way better than THE DOUBLE (2013).
Now, about this : This is a good drama mystery movie that kept my attention until the ending. It's not a mindblowing experience and the whole explanation about what happened is somewhat weak and it doesn't make much sense. But still, it's more plausible than other movies with a similar plot. In any case, anyone who read the synopsis and wants to watch it, is not expecting much i guess. Just a good character study movie with good acting performances and some intense moments. That's exactly what you get here. Moore does his best, movie is getting better by the minute and it's watchable, at worst. For me, it's better than a just watchable movie because i was very curious to see where it goes. Some interesting twists and turns and an obscure but not dissatisfying ending. For sure, its better than this Villeneuve movie (ENEMY, 2013) and way better than THE DOUBLE (2013).
- athanasiosze
- Feb 15, 2024
- Permalink
There can be only one (no, wait a minute... that was Connery).
Anthony Armstrong's novel, The Case of Mr. Pelham, revolves around an evil doppelganger trying to take over a man's life; it's an intriguing idea, but the story isn't strong enough to sustain a whole movie, being far better suited to either an anthology or an episode of a TV show (indeed, before becoming a full length feature, The Case of Mr. Pelham was filmed for '50s series Alfred Hitchcock Presents).
Roger Moore, fresh from success of TV show The Saint, plays uptight bowler-hatted businessman Pelham, who, whilst travelling home from work, is gripped by an inexplicable urge to release his seatbelt and drive like a maniac (this scene using some truly awful back projection). After crashing his car, he is taken to hospital for an operation, during which he momentarily flat-lines and then returns to life with two heartbeats. From this point onwards, Pelham's life becomes decidedly strange: he's apparently been places and done things that he cannot remember, which seriously affects both his professional and working life. Eventually, Pelham comes to believe that an imposter - an exact double with a more outgoing personality - is trying to take his place.
Moore, so often lambasted for his expressionless acting (a raised eyebrow to suit all occasions), is actually very impressive here, convincingly portraying a man being pushed to the edge by uncanny experiences out of his control. Unfortunately, it's clear from the outset that poor Pelham is being plagued by a doppelganger, so there is little genuine mystery or suspense to be had, and director Basil Dearden struggles to keep the momentum going for the duration. Thankfully, things do pick up for the finalé, when Dearden gets with the groovy times, employing some wonderfully psychedelic visuals as both Pelhams battle it out on the road, driving dangerously at speed with only one possible survivor.
Roger Moore, fresh from success of TV show The Saint, plays uptight bowler-hatted businessman Pelham, who, whilst travelling home from work, is gripped by an inexplicable urge to release his seatbelt and drive like a maniac (this scene using some truly awful back projection). After crashing his car, he is taken to hospital for an operation, during which he momentarily flat-lines and then returns to life with two heartbeats. From this point onwards, Pelham's life becomes decidedly strange: he's apparently been places and done things that he cannot remember, which seriously affects both his professional and working life. Eventually, Pelham comes to believe that an imposter - an exact double with a more outgoing personality - is trying to take his place.
Moore, so often lambasted for his expressionless acting (a raised eyebrow to suit all occasions), is actually very impressive here, convincingly portraying a man being pushed to the edge by uncanny experiences out of his control. Unfortunately, it's clear from the outset that poor Pelham is being plagued by a doppelganger, so there is little genuine mystery or suspense to be had, and director Basil Dearden struggles to keep the momentum going for the duration. Thankfully, things do pick up for the finalé, when Dearden gets with the groovy times, employing some wonderfully psychedelic visuals as both Pelhams battle it out on the road, driving dangerously at speed with only one possible survivor.
- BA_Harrison
- May 2, 2021
- Permalink