The Man Who Reclaimed His Head

Claude Rains has already given such kind of characters of anti heroes, as the ones he showed in PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, or THE INVISIBLE MAN. Lon Chaney was also used to play such characters fighting against something which was about to destroy them, fights lost in advance. Universal Pictures seemed not being reluctant about those anti Hollywood schemes. Rains was the perfect portrait of the poor hero whom any audience could not ignore, nor feel empathy for. This was an early Edward Ludwig film, surprising and interesting as well for this director who will later become an adventure yarn specialist: WAKE OF THE RED WITCH, SMUGGLER'S ISLAND, JIVARO, FLAME OF THE ISLANDS, CARIBBEAN...But please don't miss this movie for Claude Rains' performance.

I caught this on TV late one night. From the cheesy title, I expected a horrible *B* film. I've always been a fan of Claude...so I had to watch. Surprise, surprise, this movie is GREAT! It may have been a B film, but it has stayed with me for 30 years. Even though no one has ever heard of it, I recommend it often. As someone else remarked, it isn't a horror movie in the traditional sense. But the horrors of war is the subject. There was not a moment wasted in the direction. The opening shot pulls you right in. You can't believe your eyes. And then a flashback to an idyllic setting. But soon the war has turned our hero's life in pure Hell. The tale is about war profiteering. Strangely appropriate in 2006. Can you say Halliburton? The film brings you round to the opening scene again in a fantastic ending also. And the final words are exactly the opposite of what you expected in the opening scenes. Find & watch it!

An intriguing film about a writer who discovers his ideas have been used to promote WWI, Claude Rains does his usual remarkable job. If you see it listed, try to catch it!

War is a matter many people take very seriously; whether they're hawks or doves. Unfortunately, some people profit from war, which means that they take making money very seriously; such that they would profit off of death and destruction.

Paul Verin (Claude Rains) was serious about peace. He was dead set against war as he saw it as a tool for certain people to gain money and power. He was a columnist who was well versed in putting his ideas eloquently onto paper. A man named Henry Dumont (Lionel Atwill) wanted to use Paul's abilities for his own newspaper. He claimed that Paul could work at the newspaper on his own terms. Paul refused because he knew it would only be a matter of time before he'd have to cave to the agenda of the newspaper (aka Henry Dumont) and thereby sellout.

Paul's wife, Adele (Joan Bennett), wanted him to take the position so that they could have some financial freedom. Having freedom of thought was fine, but how could that provide nice clothes and a warm bed? So, because of Paul's deep love for his wife, he accepted the position and moved his family to Paris.

The movie began in 1915 with France in the grips of a war. Paul was wearing a soldier's uniform and he was seeking the help of an attorney. He decided to tell the attorney the long version of his predicament, which is how we got his backstory.

"The Man Who Reclaimed His Head" was a deep movie. It was similar to "Men Must Fight" (1932) without the oversimplification of war. Paul was convincing as an intellectual who was satisfied with little more than his ideals and his wife. Such people always have to figure out how to navigate a world dominated by unscrupulous men of wealth. Ideals only take a man so far, and sometimes just a small bit of compromise could lead a person down a slippery slope of shedding their entire identity. Paul didn't want to be that man.

I like "The Man Who Reclaimed His Head." It was a relevant movie for any era. There will always be war and there will always be Paul Verins and Henry Dumonts.

Free on Odnoklassniki.

This little-known drama is often mistakenly thought of as a horror film by virtue of its luridly suggestive title, its being a Universal production and the appearance of several horror stalwarts. Actually, it's quite splendid and very stylish, making the most of its Grade A budget.

Claude Rains is marvelous as ever in the title role and is superbly supported by a wonderful cast - a blonde Joan Bennett, a treacherous Lionel Atwill, Wallace Ford, Gilbert Emery, Edward Van Sloan (the latter two are actually uncredited and appear very briefly; so, too, does Valerie Hobson according to the IMDb, thought I didn't spot her)! The unusual, thought-provoking (and sadly, more topical than ever) plot, taking a critical look at political opportunism, spin doctoring and warmongering, is nicely handled all around, with as much care given to the touching domestic life of the main characters as to the period detail or its vigorous scenes of warfare and political discussions.

The effectively filmed finale (which gives the film its title) is a highlight and, hopefully, it should be able to get a new lease of life whenever the film is released on DVD, even if it has to be passed off as a horror title to make it; however, I don't think many will complain of this once they've seen it but will instead be very thankful that it has finally been made available on the newest home video format. Are you listening, Universal?