NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Imprint Blu-ray (June 2024): Imprint have transferred the final film of Basil Dearden; the psychological thriller The Man Who Haunted Himself, starring Roger Moore, to Blu-ray. I can't tell much difference at all when compared to the 2019 Kino 1080P. It does have a higher bitrate and this may show in-motion, but regardless the image quality is as pleasing as the previous Blu-ray. "Colors are deep and rich, detail is impressive in the film's close-ups and the HD presentation is impressive in-motion. No damage, speckles or marks - overall, this looks great."

NOTE: We have added 50 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Imprint use a linear PCM dual-mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. This is am improvement over the Kino, notable in exporting the film's deeper audio requirements (speeding cars etc.) and the score by Michael J. Lewis (The Legacy, The Medusa Touch, 11 Harrowhouse, Julius Caesar) which can be strangely passive before exporting haunting qualities. The lossless audio quality is decent and dialogue is clear and audible. The film's audio has consistent dialogue in the uncompressed transfer. Imprint offer an 'Isolated Score' audio track to solely listen to Michael J. Lewis's score. Imprint include optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Imprint Blu-ray offer two commentaries. The first, which is also on the Kino, was previously available on the DVD, with star Roger Moore and uncredited writer/producer Bryan Forbes moderated by journalist Jonathan Sothcott. Deep-voiced Moore (his first commentary) is engaging, humble and humorous in regards to the production and parts of his career. Forbes is more matter-of-fact about details knowing more minutia about the filmmaking of The Man Who Haunted Himself. The second commentary is new from Jonathan Rigby (author English Gothic: A Century Of Horror Cinema) and Kevin Lyons (The Encyclopedia of Fantastic Film and Television.) They comment on the career of Basil Dearden, Anthony Armstrong (based on his "The Case of Mr. Pelham"), Bryan Forbes, that, by all accounts, Roger Moore was a very decent chap; charitable work with UNICEF, the 'collar' and 'tie' significance etc. It's informative and at their usual enjoyable standard. Imprint add quite a bit more in terms of supplements. The Man Who Became A Friend is new and spends a 1/4 hour with biographer / talent agent Gareth Owen (author of Raising an Eyebrow: My Life with Sir Roger Moore) on the actor. Also new (2024) is The Men Who Were Haunted a 1/2 hour interview featurette with actor Freddie Jones (who played the psychiatrist in The Man Who Haunted Himself - others may recognize him from David Lynch's The Elephant Man) and members of the production crew including second unit director Dickie Bamber, first assistant editor Roger Guertin, camera operator Jimmy Devis etc. “Roger Moore, A Matter of Class” – and Aug 31st, 2016 50-minute episode of Hollywood Idols with Michael Caine and others providing input. Imprint include (in SD) the 1955 25-minute episode of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents" with "The Case of Mr. Pelham” starring Tom Ewell (remembered in The Seven Year Itch with Marilyn Monroe the same year.) There is also a theatrical trailer, a photo gallery and the package includes an exclusive insert reproduction of the original pressbook.

Basil Dearden's psychological thriller The Man Who Haunted Himself, was based on Anthony Armstrong book "The Case of Mr. Pelham" about a dual identity doppelgänger. It was previously made into a 1955 television episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. The film is remarkable for a number of things. It was Basil Dearden (The Blue Lamp, They Came to a City, Dead of Night, Pool of London) last feature film. Dearden also made three episodes of the 1971 television series The Persuaders! starring Tony Curtis and Roger Moore. Dearden died suffering multiple injuries in a road accident on the M4 motorway near Heathrow Airport. The Man Who Haunted Himself also features a crash on the M4. Pushing his acting chops, it was Roger's Moore's favorite of his own films and he stated: "It was a film I actually got to act in, rather than just being all white teeth and flippant and heroic." Certainly the story is a variation on the 'Jekyll / Hyde' theme pioneered in Robert Louis Stevenson's book, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, about how human personalities can reflect the interplay of good and evil. It is great to see Moore's range and the horror aspects give the film a desirable edge. The Imprint Blu-ray is the one to own - stacked with two commentaries (old and new,) audio track upgrade, isolated score option, almost 2 hours of video extras including the TV episode starring Tom Ewell. For those who appreciate the film, this is the package to own. Certainly recommended! 

***

ADDITION: (May 2019): Kino Lorber transfer the Roger Moore psychological thriller The Man Who Haunted Himself to a new Blu-ray edition. It's on a single-layered disc in the 1.75:1 aspect ratio. Frankly, it looks marvelous in 1080P. Colors are deep and rich, detail is impressive in the film's close-ups and the HD presentation is impressive in-motion. No damage, speckles or marks - overall, this looks great. 

The audio is transferred in a 2.0 channel 16-bit DTS-HD Master audio track that sounds competent.  There are optional English subtitles on this Region 'A'-locked Blu-ray.

Kino add an interesting audio commentary, previously available on the DVD, with star Roger Moore and uncredited writer/producer Bryan Forbes moderated by journalist Jonathan Sothcott. There is also an 18-minute video piece - Masters of Horror Joe Dante and Stuart Gordon on "The Man Who Haunted Himself" where they talk about and appreciate the film, its plot and Moore. Lastly, is a theatrical trailer.

This is a reasonably effective film with the doppelgänger convention and Moore's impressive acting in the dual roles. You kind of wish it had gone further with an abrupt ending to the suspense but it did have an appealing Seconds-like vibe to it. The Blu-ray transfer is surprisingly strong and the commentary elevates the package. An intriguing film that is pleasing to own in this format.

Gary Tooze