One of the first films greenlit by Bryan Forbes at EMI Films, it flopped at the time but has gone on to have a cult reputation in part because it was Roger Moore's favourite among his films.
It feels like a movie that should have been made in the 50s or early 60s - 1970 was a bit late in the day for a thriller with a hero wearing bowler hats and a silly moustache. Maybe the moustache would never work.
Moore is very good - he was proud of his work and should be. His suaveness is used to good effect because he starts off so smugly and disintegrates.
I wish it had a better director than Basil Dearden. He's obviously strong with actors but not so crash hot on suspense - someone strong with mood and creepiness would have been much better.
I think it would have been better had Moore met the doppleganger earlier - played out the ramifications of that. And more of the sexiness and alter ego - I guess that's Face Off territory but still.
Interesting. I didn't love it but there are people who do. Lovely to see Moore stretch himself.
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