The Mind of Mr. Soames

An underrated, pretty much forgotten movie that deserves to be better known. The premise - a 30 year-old man in a coma since birth suddenly awakened - had me hooked from the start. Terence Stamp gives an excellent performance as a baby in a man's body. How do you treat such a patient? Scientist Vaughn believes Stamp deserves a proper childhood, including play and affection. Scientist Davenport thinks that it's important that that Stamp be given an intense regular schedule of learning to catch up. It turns out both men are right (AND wrong). What happens in the second half of the movie will be foreseen by many viewers, but it's handled with intelligence and believability. Some viewers today may not be pleased with the ending, which is not cut-and-dried and sweetly happy. But it's not without hope, and it feels more real than any artificial ending that would probably be tacked on if the movie was made today.

"The Mind of Mr. Soames" is a uniquely original and genuinely absorbing medical drama/thriller, but let's get one thing unmistakably clear from the beginning: this is a primarily talkative and thought-provoking film, so everyone who's expecting spectacular action sequences or sensational Science Fiction footage might feel sorely disappointed or even cheated after his/her viewing! Kind of like with, for example, "The Andromeda Strain", my advice would be not to start watching this film late at night when you're already battling sleep, because you'll lose, regardless of how compelling and innovative the subject matter is. "The Mind of Mr. Soames" thrives on its intellectual screenplay (based on a novel by Charles Eric Maine), atypical character studies and deeply admirable acting performances. The atmosphere, as well as several individual sequences, is unsettling and suspenseful, but more from a social and human interest point of view… if that makes sense.

In Dr. Maitland's private clinic, cozily hidden in the rural British countryside, this 30-year-old patient John Soames has been lying in a coma ever since birth. Dr. Maitland has now invited the acclaimed American Dr. Bergen – as well as a whole army of TV reporters and journalists – to perform progressive brain surgery in an ultimate attempt to wake John up. The operation succeeds, but John naturally has 30 years of learning and development to catch up. Tension mounts when Dr. Maitland insists on subjecting John Soames to a strict schedule, while Dr. Bergen pleads for letting him explore and discover life freely. John himself clearly feels trapped within the clinic's walls and escapes, but the baby inside a grown man's body isn't ready to deal with the world… or vice versa. The most admirable thing about "The Mind of Mr. Soames" is that it never reverts to clichés or cheap sensation. The character of Dr. Maitland, for example, easily could have been a stereotypical tyrant or obsessive scientist, but even he remains an integer and identifiable person. The (anti-)climax, often described as boring and unsatisfying, is actually a very honest piece of cinema. Director Alan Cooke, usually active in television, does a very good job and also could depend on really great actors. Terence Stamp is simply terrific in the titular role, as he puts a lot of heart and childish innocence in the persona of John Soames. Robert Vaughn delivers what is probably the most mature performance of his career and Nigel Davenport is reliable as always. This was a very atypical film for the Amicus production studios and a very atypical film altogether, but recommended for sure.

A new take on the Frankenstein myth. Terence Stamp is the man in a coma since birth but kept alive in a kind of oxygen tank, who is awakened after 30 years. Alan Cooke's "The Mind of Mr. Soames" is an unusually intelligent piece of sci-fi which, like Mary Shelley's novel, is really about the relationship between the doctor who 'awakens' him and his 'creature' , the unfortunate Mr Soames who might have been better off had he been left in his tank. In these roles Robert Vaughan, (the doctor), and in particular Stamp, (Soames), are excellent. If the plot proceeds along a somewhat predictable path, the superb handling and good performances all round, more than redeem it. Not really a success when it came out, it is now destined for cult status.

1969's "The Mind of Mr. Soames" was an adaptation of a 1961 Charles Eric Maine novel, perhaps his best known work and certainly superior to earlier efforts like "Spaceways," "The Atomic Man," or "The Electronic Monster." Overshadowed in the wake of Cliff Robertson's similar "Charly," we find Terence Stamp in the title role, a 30 year old man in a lifelong coma only now being prepared surgically to be 'born' through the skills of Dr. Michael Bergen (an engagingly warm turn from Robert Vaughn). Supervising the around the clock television coverage and the patient's lengthy training program is Dr. Maitland (Nigel Davenport), a rather inflexible individual who seems more interested in personal glory than John's welfare. Bergen remains present to offer much needed 'play time' to ease the long term dreariness of teaching lessons, even unlocking the door to allow Soames to explore the outside world for the first time, until Maitland's staff drag him back inside (he was quite willing to return, had they not forced the issue). Rather than risk being hurt again Soames finally rebels, using a chair to knock out his captor and climb over the institution wall to freedom. This adult male with the aptitude of a child learns harsh lessons on his own, unable to pay for meals, facing rejection from schoolchildren playing ball, and finally being injured by a passing motorist whose wife treats him with genuine kindness. Once he's been tracked down to a lonely country barn, Bergen goes inside to help John plead his case, to make his own decision to return without anyone taking him by force. Producer Milton Subotsky's obvious obsession with the name Maitland does not necessarily make Nigel Davenport an out and out villain, though he does clash with Robert Vaughn's more humane treatment, the surgeon well versed in child psychology as father to three kids. Terence Stamp ably conveys the frustration, boredom, and finally sheer joy of first time experience, a difficult role that he carries off in entirely believable fashion. Only a few television airings preceded its fall into complete obscurity, a sad fate for Stamp compared to Cliff Robertson's Oscar-winning performance, but one that also deserves long neglected recognition.

The Tone of the Movie is about the same as the Tone of the Response from Movie Critics and Audiences. Tepid, mildly Engaging, with a Detached but Detailed Observation. The Film Relies on a Documentary Style and approach where Things are Observed, Unfettered, and Matter of Fact.

Occasionally, it does Manage to Draw Interest when the Boring and Predictable become more Lively and Intriguing. The Wakening of a Man from a 30 Year Coma (since birth) and the Clinical Nurturing and "Upbringing" asks the Scientific and Sociological Questions one would Expect, and the Answers are what one would Expect from a Textbook.

The Film does have a Serious Sense of Purpose and some Fine Performances with Leads Terence Stamp and Robert Vaughn Excellent. But in the End it is all about Entertainment and the Movie, going Against Conventional Wisdom and Trends, Delivers a Docu-Drama with the Emphasis on "Doc".

It Anticipates Reality TV's Cold and Truthful Camera without Today's "Spontaneous" "Slight of Hand" that Keeps it from Being Really "Reality". You can only get that from a Hidden Camera. The Film is Worth a Watch for the Good Acting and Sleek Production, but the Decision to go "Low Key" did leave Audiences a bit Disappointed.

But it's just Off-Beat enough to allow a Recommendation. It took a Chance and it almost Succeeds, but Not Quite and was a Noble Effort.