Harold Pelham (Roger Moore) is a successful business executive who lives with his wife and two children. One morning, Pelham drives to work and unexpectedly is involved in a tragic car crash. Fortunately, he survives and eventually makes a full recovery. After returning to work, Pelham tries to resume everyday life. During a board meeting, Pelham strongly opposes a potential merger within the business he works for. Additionally, suspicions arise that confidential information has been leaked to the opposing company, adding to his concerns.
In addition to the stress of business discussions and frequent disagreements with his wife, many strange and unexplainable things begin to occur in Pelham’s life. His close friends claim to have seen him at various clubs and events when, in fact, Pelham hasn’t been to those kinds of places recently. As Pelham attempts to move forward with life, things only worsen, and he soon becomes convinced that there must be some doppelgänger attempting to ruin his life. Now, Pelham is on the hunt to track who (or perhaps what) is the cause of all these misunderstandings.
Directed by Basil Dearden, whose previous work includes Dead of Night (1945) and Victim (1961), this film was inspired by the book The Case of Mr. Pelham by Anthony Armstrong and a short story from the popular television series Alfred Hitchcock Presents. With its premise, storyline, and intense mystery, the film certainly feels like an Alfred Hitchcock production and features a significant reveal at the conclusion.
The central mystery is very intriguing. I found myself guessing at the many possible outcomes and solutions to the problem. Has Pelham become a madman since his car accident? Does he have a twin that he doesn’t know about? Or is the issue he’s experiencing more supernatural? Perhaps someone within his work world is setting him up? As the film progresses, the mystery grows, and Pelham’s life becomes more unexplainable and challenging.
While Roger Moore is widely known for his role as a top-secret double 0 agent, I thought he was brilliant in the role of Pelham. I enjoyed watching his character become increasingly obsessed with the unexplainable events. The big reveals were different and enjoyable. The film used many clever and fun shots and transitions between scenes, which I appreciated. However, despite Moore’s excellent performance, I was disappointed with the finale as it felt weaker than the rest of the film.
Overall, The Man Who Haunted Himself is a thrilling film that begins with a strong opening and introduces a significant mystery. I had a great time unravelling the twists and turns. I thoroughly enjoyed Roger Moore’s compelling and playful performance as a character who is transformed by his obsession to know the truth. The stylish camera work and creative shots add to the film’s appeal, even though it may feel a bit dated by today’s standards. However, the finale and reveals are the weakest aspects. Some finer details about the ending are left for viewers to process and interpret.
7.4/10
18th June 2024
Written by Peter Walkden
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