The Man Who Wouldn't Die (1994 TV Movie) User Reviews

A must for fans of Moore and MacDowall

[hugh1971 · 20 December 2001]

I've always been interested in Roger Moore's post-Bond twilight years. I spotted this film gathering dust in a video shop while on holiday in Copenhagen and hired it. It's excellent! Moore is on top form and very funny. He was 67 when this was made but plays a 48 year old - those who say he was too old to play Bond, take note!).

The plot concerns a mystery writer turned journalist, Thomas Grace (Moore) who is approached by psychic Jessie Gallardo (Nancy Allen from Robocop) who claims that a master criminal, Bernard Drake (MacDowall) is going around murdering people in a style based on Grace's books. After initial scepticism, Moore pits his wits against MacDowall's criminal genius.

There are some interesting fantasy sequences where Moore imagines himself as the heroes of his own mystery books. Shame about his attempt at a northern accent though! My one criticism would be the low budget, shaky tv-movie production values and some rather offbeat comic-book style scenes. It's exciting stuff, but probably won't appeal to those who aren't fans of Moore or MacDowall.

$2 ....I was robbed

[buddybickford · 2/10 · 2 January 2009]

You know the type of film, you leave your comfortable chair to make some tea and don't bother to pause the film, and that's when you are forced to acknowledge the film is not so good, as otherwise you would have paused it. Well this is a non pauser of a film, so if you like tea or coffee and have many breaks during your movies then this is perfect.

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.

Very Nice made-for-TV movie!

[buiger · 7/10 · 31 March 2012]

I always have been a sucker for Roger Moore films. Even though his charm has inevitably diminished with age, he still remains Simon Templair for me. His 'savoir faire' on the screen is unmistakable, it should be copyright protected (if it hasn't been already).

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 vs. Malcolm McDowell. Just can't fall asleep in front of your TV.

[Ffolkes-3 · 10/10 · 4 August 1999]

The film is truly one of the best Condon's films. The plot is extraordinary just like the performances of Roger Moore (ex-writer Thomas Grace) and Malcolm McDowell (psycho Bernard Drake). Both characters are created in the best possible way. It's a pity that Condon did only one film with Moore , but maybe that's why this film is so special. If you've got some free time and you want to spend it in front of your best friend - TV , watch this film and enjoy it.

Undemanding mystery yarn.

[barnabyrudge · 18 March 2003]

There's this author, right? And he based all his fictional mystery stories on real life crimes committed by a psychopath who is now thought to be dead. With me so far? The author also baseshis fictional hero upon himself. Then, it turns out that the psychopath isn't dead at all, and that he is planning a truly diabolical crime in New York City, and the author who used to write about him is now the only person who can foil his fiendish plans. Sounds complex? That's because it is.

The Man Who Wouldn't Die has a complex plot, but deals with it well and avoids the kind of confusion that could so easily have ruined the film. It unfolds in a humorous fashion and is given a real boost by two of Britain's hammiest actors in two of their hammiest ever roles. Roger Moore as the burnt out detective novelist (in a rare post-View to a Kill role) is just fine and oozes charisma. Malcolm McDowell as the villain gets to smack his lips in over-the-top glee and uncontrollable mania more than any other film since the notorious Caligula. And Nancy Allen (she of Dressed to Kill and Robocop) delivers a reasonably competent supporting performance.

The film benefits greatly by poking fun at itself, thus achieving a nice balance between farce and suspense. As TV movies go, this one is definitely an upper-class citizen!

Great fun.

[strogger · 10/10 · 21 February 2002]

I Caught this film late night on BBC2 one Friday and I was pleasantly surprised. Roger Moore is one of my favourite actors but even I have to admit he doesn't have the most glowing CV. This was really good though. There are great performances from Rog and McDowell.

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.

Fun murder mystery with a 007 alum!

[OllieSuave-007 · 8/10 · 5 October 2014]

This is a fun made for TV murder mystery movie starring James Bond actor Roger Moore, who plays Thomas Grace. He teams up with psychic Jessie Galardo (Nancy Allen) to stop the homicidal Bernard Drake (Malcolm McDowell) from carrying out murders that were based on novels.

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+

The man who wouldn't Die

[coltras35 · 8/10 · 31 July 2023]

Society columnist and former thriller writer Thomas Grace (Roger Moore) based his most successful book, "The Man Who Wouldn't Die", on the notorious killer Bernard Drake , now supposedly dead following a prison fire. But an artist (Nancy Allen) approaches Grace after she has psychic visions and claims that Drake is alive and carrying out murders featured in the plot of Grace's book.

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.