The Man Who Haunted Himself

The Man Who Haunted Himself is a British psychological horror-thriller film released in 1970, directed by Basil Dearden and starred by Roger Moore - best known as the third actor to portray the legendary James Bond - alongside Hildegard Neil and Alastair Mackenzie. Based on Anthony Armstrong’s novel "The Strange Case of Mr Pelham", this film unravels the uncanny tale of a man who finds himself inexplicably living two distinct lives at once.

The stylish 70s take on the well-known doppelgänger motif is a stride into the uncharted territories of self-identity, mental instability, and the eerie labyrinth of the subconscious human mind. The protagonist Harold Pelham, played masterfully by Moore, is an uptight London city worker, a man of routine and strictest codes of conduct, a bit of a bore even, who encounters the bizarre conundrum of a double life post a life-altering accident.

After surviving a horrifying car crash which momentarily halts his life on the operation table, Pelham returns quite literally a changed man. As he tries to piece back his mundane, clockwork-life, he's hit by inexplicable accounts of his having been places and done things he has absolutely no memory of. Struggling to imagine he could ever transgress his own life so casually - friends, colleagues, even his wife report meeting a livelier, far more adventurous Pelham living a maverick life. This unexplained déjà vu, this alien reflection in the mirror, leads him into the depths of disquiet, confusion and a building paranoia about an inexplicable threat to his identity.

Roger Moore, in one of his notably rare departures from the Bond persona, delivers a dexterous performance skilfully depicting the slow unravelling of a man's sanity as he's haunted by an alter ego that is as much his own as it is a stranger’s. Harold Pelham persists in a desperate exploration to figure out what's stolen his life, twisting the premise into an eerie tale of duality, psychological chaos, and suppressed desires breaking the surface.

Hildegard Neil, as Pelham’s utterly bewildered wife, Ruth, exhibits a compelling act, as she straddles the line between trying to hold on to ‘her Harold’, the one she knows, and accepting this flamboyant man who suddenly seems to appreciate her in new ways. Alastair Mackenzie brings depth to the storytelling as the baffled Dr Harris, Pelham's psychiatrist, who despite being a man of science, is forced to wade beyond logical grounds into the realms of the metaphysical while dealing with Pelham's disturbing situation.

The film utilises elegantly commanding visuals and cinematography capturing picturesque London cityscape, along with unsettling camera tricks to elicit a sense of dread paralleling Pelham's disorientation and unremitting fear. The moody lighting, constant interplay of shadows and blurred reflections in mirrors, all hint at the elements of the darker self, intensifying the central mystery that engulfs the viewer just as much as Harold Pelham himself.

Moreover, the eerie score by Michael J. Lewis, envisages the disconcerting trepidation that pervades the narrative, contributing to the overall atmospheric intensity of the film. This layered symphony beautifully underscores the bewildering emotions of the protagonist and his spiralling fear of the inexplicable truth he stumbles upon.

In stark contrast with the action-packed thrills associated with Roger Moore, The Man Who Haunted Himself, scrutinises the fear lurking within one's own self, making it one of the most admirably nerve-wracking psychological thrillers of its time. It is not just a foray into the unthinkable realms of supernatural duality but a journey into the essential depths of human identity and a study of the chaotic confrontation with one's alter-ego, becoming a classic example of a wonderfully executed horror infused doppelgänger film.

Despite its era, The Man Who Haunted Himself resonates with the modern audience because it deals with universal themes such as identity, sanity, and the fear of self-destruction. It's a mesmerising blend of suspense, horror, and psychological drama transcending genre confines, entrusting viewers with unnerving questions about duality, identity, and their deepest fears. It's a must-watch for every fan of psychological thrillers and unheralded cinema treasures, especially those who want to savour a different flavour of Roger Moore's versatile acting prowess.