After his six-year stint as Simon "The Saint" Templar on TV, and right before his 14-year reign as 007, Roger Moore did this little-seen psychological thriller, often classified as a horror film. Director Basil Dearden (who, among other things, was a director on one of the earliest British horror anthologies, DEAD OF NIGHT), died shortly after the film was made in a violent car accident at the age of 60 (an ironic footnote when you ponder the film's opening and climax).

While driving home from the office, business executive Harold Pelham (Roger Moore, THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN) apparently becomes possessed by his alter ego (who has a fancier automobile) as he experiences a turbulent road accident. He's rushed to the emergency room, and after being clinically dead for a few seconds, the doctors witness a double heartbeat on their monitors shortly before he returns to life. After taking a holiday, Pelham tries to get his life back to normal, but it's anything but. Pelham is accused and held responsible for various situations that he has no recollections of. It's affecting his work, his relationship with his suffering wife (Hildegard Neil, THE LEGACY) and two boys (Alastair and Hugh Mackenzie), and there's even the question of an extramarital affair with a beautiful French photographer (Olga Georges-Picot, THE DAY OF THE JACKAL). Tormented and bewildered, Pelham is convinced that a doppelganger exists, parading around as him, and he's determined to confront this demon of reality — or of his mind.

Based on Anthony Armstrong’s novel “The Strange Case of Mr. Pelham” (also the source for a 1957 episode of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents”), THE MAN WHO HAUNTED HIMSELF is somewhat tedious in its plotting, but it still manages to remain an interesting and well-made swan song from Dearden, with an excellent British cast to keep one’s attention going. For Roger Moore (who was Ian Fleming's ideal James Bond), it's a very atypical role, but he does an excellent job with this multi-level character and it's one if his finest hours in terms of acting (he later recognized it as his favorite film role). Hammer fans will recognize a lot of familiar character actors in smaller roles: Thorley Walters (FRANKENSTEIN CREATED WOMAN), John Carson (TASTE THE BLOOD OF DRACULA), Charles Lloyd-Pack (HORROR OF DRACULA), and Gerald Sim (DR. JEKYLL AND SISTER HYDE). Freddie Jones (FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED) has a great bit as an eccentric psychiatrist who attempts to treat Moore (he wears sunglasses indoors if you catch my drift).

Previously available on DVD in the United States in 2002 from Anchor Bay Entertainment, THE MAN WHO HAUNTED HIMSELF comes to domestic Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, part of a licensing deal with StudioCanal. The 1080p HD transfer presents the film in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, and the results are quite spectacular. With pleasing cinematography by Tony Spratling which convincingly blends studio shots with scenic location photography in London, the original Technicolor textures really come through nicely, and there is nothing on display in terms of dirt and debris. The image is extremely sharp; flesh tones look natural throughout, black levels are properly deep and the organic grain structure is consistently mild. The English DTS-HD Master Audio mono track is clear, distinct and free of any distortion, and the music by Michael J. Lewis (THEATRE OF BLOOD) also fares well. Optional English subtitles are provided.