The Man Who Haunted Himself

The Man Who Haunted Himself

Year: 1970

Runtime: 88 mins

Language: English

Director: Basil Dearden

DramaThrillerHorror the undead and monster classicsTerrifying haunted and supernatural horrorGothic and eerie haunting horror

Plagued by relentless fear day and night, executive Harold Pelham is badly injured in a serious accident that brings him face‑to‑face with death. Miraculously surviving against all odds, he soon realizes that his existence is no longer his own, as an unseen presence seems to control his life.

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Timeline & Setting – The Man Who Haunted Himself (1970)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Man Who Haunted Himself (1970). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

late 1960s

The film feels anchored in late-1960s London, a time of rapid modernization and changing social norms. Office life, nightlife, and social rituals reflect the era’s polished, high-contrast style. The period’s attitudes toward marriage, loyalty, and technological progress shape the characters’ choices and the unfolding mystery.

Location

London, England

The action is set primarily in London, moving between sleek corporate offices, exclusive clubs, and a comfortable home. The city’s modern, cosmopolitan vibe provides a backdrop for a man whose orderly life is disrupted by a mysterious double. The plot threads through recognizable urban spaces and landmarks, underscoring the tension between public life and private duplicity.

🏙️ City Life 💼 Corporate World 🕰️ 1960s Setting 🎭 Thriller

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:20

Main Characters – The Man Who Haunted Himself (1970)

Meet the key characters of The Man Who Haunted Himself (1970), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Harold Pelham (Roger Moore)

Harold is a disciplined, ambitious director at Freeman, Pelham & Dawson who prizes control and routine. After a near-fatal accident, his life is disrupted by the appearance of a second self that seems to live his life in parallel. He remains rational and composed, yet memory and certainty begin to fracture as events spiral out of his grasp.

🧭 Identity 🏢 Corporate Leader 💑 Husband

Eve Pelham (Hildegard Neil)

Eve is Harold's wife, perceptive and emotionally aware, caught between affection for her husband and mounting unease about his strange behavior. She notices the silver car and inconsistent actions, raising questions about Harold's fidelity and their marriage. Her loyalty is tested as the couple navigates escalating tension.

💑 Wife 🕵️‍♀️ Suspicion 🧩 Relationship

Dr. Harris (Freddie Jones)

Dr Harris is a psychiatrist who treats Harold and challenges the notion that the events are mere madness. He suggests the possibility that the double may express a subconscious desire to escape a rigid lifestyle. Harris guides Harold toward unconventional treatment and a more symbolic understanding of his experiences.

🧠 Psychiatrist 🩺 Therapy 🧩 Psychology

Mason (Laurence Hardy)

Mason is Harold's friend and colleague, involved in the corporate side of Freeman, Pelham & Dawson. He embodies pragmatic loyalty and serves as a touchstone for Harold’s professional life, even as the merger plot complicates their partnership.

🤝 Friend 💼 Colleague 🧭 Loyalty

Ashton (John Carson)

Ashton is a key figure from the rival firm, representing the climate of corporate espionage and strategic maneuvering surrounding the merger. He embodies calculated ambition and subtle manipulation that drives the plot’s power struggle.

🏛️ Rival 🕵️‍♂️ Conspiracy 💼 Corporate

Sir Arthur Richardson (Anthony Nicholls)

Sir Arthur Richardson is a senior executive whose authority and strategic mind shape the corporate decisions around the merger. He is calm, calculating, and focused on corporate advantage.

🏛️ Leader 💼 Strategy 🧭 Authority

James Pelham (Hugh Mackenzie)

James Pelham is Harold’s son, a family member who briefly anchors the personal stakes of Harold’s life. The scenes involving him highlight the impact of Harold’s turmoil on his family.

👨‍👦 Family 🏠 Home Life 🧭 Generational

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:20

Major Themes – The Man Who Haunted Himself (1970)

Explore the central themes of The Man Who Haunted Himself (1970), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🪞 Identity

The plot centers on a man who appears to split into two selves after a near-fatal accident. The double mimics his life, creating confusion about who is in control. The film uses the doppelgänger trope to probe the limits of personal identity and the reliability of memory. It asks what defines the true self when life can be staged or performed by a second version.

🧠 Psychology

A psychiatrist analyzes whether Harold's experiences reflect madness or a subconscious desire to break free from rigidity. Therapy scenes reveal the tension between rational control and irrational impulse. The narrative uses clinical language to explore how identity can be shaped by fear, desire, and social expectations. The ending suggests a fragile boundary between sanity and delusion.

💑 Marriage

The double infiltrates Harold’s personal life, testing his relationship with his wife Eve. She notices unfamiliar clues and experiences emotional strain as trust erodes. The couple’s intimacy is destabilized by suspicion, a rumored affair, and the haunting presence of a second life. The crisis forces them to confront what binds them together and what they stand to lose.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:20

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The Man Who Haunted Himself Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Man Who Haunted Himself, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Man Who Haunted Himself Summary

The Man Who Haunted Himself Timeline

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The Man Who Haunted Himself Timeline

More About The Man Who Haunted Himself

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