This movie concerns a writer of mystery stories who bases his villain on a criminal, played by Malcolm McDowell, who is incarcerated in prison. Escaping prison after his apparent death in a ... Read allThis movie concerns a writer of mystery stories who bases his villain on a criminal, played by Malcolm McDowell, who is incarcerated in prison. Escaping prison after his apparent death in a fire, the criminal plans to revenge himself on the writer (Sir Roger Moore) for "stealing ... Read allThis movie concerns a writer of mystery stories who bases his villain on a criminal, played by Malcolm McDowell, who is incarcerated in prison. Escaping prison after his apparent death in a fire, the criminal plans to revenge himself on the writer (Sir Roger Moore) for "stealing his personality", and proceeds to carry out a set of murders based around the novels. Moor... Read all
- Henry Graham
- (as Don Mackay)
- '40s Secretary
- (as Jessica Van Der Veen)
- McKinnon
- (as Roger R. Cross)
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Featured reviews
The director skillfully mixes comedy and suspense never overbalancing the film with too much of one or the other. I think it would have been good if the film had of had a slightly larger budget to up the production quality a little, I think then it could have been released theatrically and comfortably made its money back.
I wish Roger were in Moore (good one eh?! erm yeah...) movies but I guess he doesn't have so much time with all his charity work and being on TV etc. No matter, its always a pleasure to see him in a quality film or show.
In this somewhat Hitchcockian film for TV (whivh proves once again that low budget TV movies can nowadays be much better than many made for the large screen), he creates a good atmosphere together with Malcolm McDowell who is as always, a truly exceptional villain. A thriller almost (as Moore) of other times, based on plot, twists and turns, and not on special f/x. A very welcome change. Thanks Roger!
Roger Moore stars in this lively and offbeat thriller which is a sort of an ode to mystery/pulp fiction. Moore is a joy to watch, smooth as ever and sharp. He's 67 here and doesn't look it. He always makes a film watchable. Pity he didn't make more mystery films around this period, or do a TV series. He is well supported by Nancy Allen, a psychic who warns Moore about the murders about to occur from his arch nemesis Malcolm McDowell, who relishes in his fiendish role and is deliciously hammy.
Moore and Allen had some great on-screen chemistry and made a great detective duo. The acting is spot on and the plot has much momentum; just the criminal Drake escaping from prison and wanting to revenge himself on Thomas Grace for 'stealing his personality' created a unique plot device and is sure to grab the audience's attention. The duo roles played by Moore and McDowell are a clever touch.
Moore is my favorite Bond actor, and it is a treat seeing him in an out-of-character role but retaining his investigative and detective skills in catching bad guys. It's a classic-style murder mystery movie that will give you nostalgia and great excitement and fun!
Grade B+
One of my all time favorite Stars is Roger Moore so when I saw this title on a VCD at $2 new whilst working here in Dubai I snapped it up.
As the film progresses the labored script becomes increasingly painful for the cast to deliver, sometimes you feel they are almost screaming to get to the end of the next scene and they would start each scene petrified especially if it were long, I noted to myself how they began to look happier towards the end of the film, ....as I did.
Macolm McDowell tries very admirably to deliver his lines seriously but he questions you with pain in his eyes as to what type of Film this is, but you will have the same look as he does and as the director must have had.
Did you know
- TriviaThird of three movies starring Sir Roger Moore which have included the phrase "The Man..." in the title. They are La seconde mort d'Harold Pelham (1970), L'Homme au pistolet d'or (1974), and this movie. Moore also appeared in episodes of Le Saint (1962), such as The Man Who Gambled with Life (1969). In fact, there was a "The Man Who..." episode in almost every season of The Saint.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Sven Uslings Bio: The Man Who Wouldn't Die (2024)
Details
- Runtime1 hour 30 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1