didn't like the ending in which the "bad pel" wins.. perhaps someone can come up with the resolution by which the director meant the "bad heart" becomes good again when the "good" dies in the river? that would save my day at least a bit :)
This must have been a cemetery for the... Spanish conquistadores!
the ending got me totally depressed.. it's really morbid and i don't like it at all :)
This must have been a cemetery for the... Spanish conquistadores!
I actually believe that the ending is a happy one.
I think that good Pel returns to the body of bad Pel, making him complete again. The look of malice has gone from bad Pel's face after the double heart attack on the bridge so I believe they are as one.
In a way, bad Pel needed to overcome good Pel.
Good Pel's life had become overrun with with stress and anxiety, whereas his doppleganger was enjoying life to the full.
Maybe that was Pel's terror in the car chase. The fact that the suppressed flagrant, dangerous side of his personality was intent on upsetting his comfortable, routine life and it was literally out to overcome and suppress HIM! As we see, Pel has, almost, a fear of change to his routine (ties, clothes, cars etc). Bad Pel was the the literal manifestation of change!
At the beginning of the film, Pel had suppressed his flagrant side, his marriage was collapsing, his business acumen was staid and he was no fun.
I think his doppleganger rescued him and his reputation by putting some fire and danger into his personality and life.
(Not that I think bad Pel had any intention on doing good Pel any favours. Both considered each other, equally, as unwelcome and both wanted the other gone. Good Pel wanted rid of Bad Pel because of the change he represented and Bad Pel wanted rid of good Pel because he was tired of being suppressed and didn't want to go back to the boring staid ways.)
So, when they "unite" at the end, Pel is a much more balanced individual. His "boring" Rover P5B (which I personally think is cool) is lost in the Thames, leaving the extravagant Lamborghini for him to drive.
So I think that Pel's personality has sort of reset, allowing a good balance of fun and hard work from him.
The music cue at the end, at first, seems quite sorrowful. But when you take my theory in consideration, it actually has a feel of relief to it.
In the end, no one won. Only Harold Pelham. The one and only.
Now all he has to do is explain his twin to his family, friends and Dr. Harris!
"Not The Gold!!" - Augustus Steranko.
stefanandrews420,
I think your analysis is excellent, and seems to concur with Roger Moore's own interpretation of the end scene (check out his remarks on the DVD commentary, over the same scene).
I also think that the ending is not one where the 'bad' Pel wins, or an open one where one doesn't know who won - but a subtle ending, where the 'good' AND 'bad' merge together - thereby offering the best of both worlds to the now complete Pel.
I think the ending is perfect, because it's in keeping with the thought-provoking nature of the rest of the film preceding it.
Cheers hmahendra.
This has been a favourite film of mine for a very long time and I'm a huge fan of Roger Moore. He's one of the those people that I always thought I'd get to meet before one of us kicks the bucket ;).
I first saw this when I was 10 and I think, even then, that I knew the ending was on a subtle upnote.
I've showed this movie to many friends who, I thought, wouldn't particularly get it or enjoy it. But it's always been really well received...cos it is brilliant.
The only thing I'd like explained is the snooker/poolball sequence during the car chase. Maybe it means Pel is well and truly snookered by his pursuer...ha ha.
Very interesting and cool shot though.
"Not The Gold!!" - Augustus Steranko.
it was great to read all this, thanks for the replies. roger is a genius and this film proved he could act in whatever he wanted if he wanted, how he wanted. one of the best actors of all time for me. but... i still can't accept even if it was "merging" that the bad pel's deeds are now reality and that i should consider it a happy ending. the cheating of the wife for example, which is sth the good would never have done and that's why i wanted the good to return until the last second, i've found nothing wrong with his life. being an honest worker and a loyal husband and father. i guess it's my roman catholic guilt that just can't accept those things :) but, ok... better merg than nothing!
This must have been a cemetery for the... Spanish conquistadores!
how would he explain the change of cars? a possible plot hole? :) i wanted to see it as such, bc it would make more room for the nightmare to get over with. :)
This must have been a cemetery for the... Spanish conquistadores!
Remember that good Pel was in hospital for a while under the watchful eye of Doctor Harris. This gave bad Pel all the time he needed to totally sink good Pel. In this time, he could have introduced the new car and really sank his fangs into good Pel's family. When good Pel turns up with different clothes on he has totally stitched himself up. Bad Pel uses this to his advantage when pointing out good Pel's new dress sense to his friends and family.
Of course, it is not impossible for a man to own two cars. Bad Pel could explain that the Rover is in the garage or whatever.
But I think what most people don't realise (or forget, at least)is that Bad Pel is Good Pel. He knows everything that good Pel knows because he is him. The "bad" actions he does are not specifically to upset good Pel but are a result of his carefree nature. I expect when they merge at the end that "whole" Pel wouldn't cheat on his wife but have a healthy eye for the ladies. Each Pel is an exaggeration of two halves of his psyche.
And as with most carefree people, his self-destructive nature ends up getting the better of him. By achieving his goal of eliminating his good self, he actually stitches himself up as the good side merges with him.
"Not The Gold!!" - Augustus Steranko.
I don't think there was a "good" or "bad" Pel. After all, it's not as if the "bad" Pel murdered his wife or anything. In fact, he rescued his marriage, got a nice promotion (and a load of money from the merger) and managed a bit on the side with a right little stunner! (OK forget that last bit!)
If they did "merge" at the end then that seems the perfect ending.
I loved this movie - too bad Roger didn't make more of these sort of films - his manner suits psychological thrillers really well.
"What's the matter Colonel Sanders - CHICKEN?"
Yeah. I only say "good" and "bad" Pel to concisely differentiate them.
"Not The Gold!!" - Augustus Steranko.
I finally got the chance to see this the other night. I loved it and I was very impressed with Roger Moore's performance. I also felt that at the end of the film the good and bad Pel's merged and became one.
Great film. 10/10
Have to say i watched this film years ago ... and although i really liked it , the ending did bother me as the good Pel seemed to be wiped out and the bad Pel seemed to have won the day !
But just rewatched it after many years and i have to say i was very much pleasantly surprised !!!
To me , good Pel did survive , the reaction / look on Pels face at the very end , it seems good pel had went back into his own body and it was bad pel who seems to be the one to disappear ! :)
Yes I pretty much concur with all the opinions here. The ending left a bit to be desired, but over all it was an intriguing picture and I'm very glad I just watched it.
shareIts probably the best performance Roger Moore ever gave.
I love the whole late 60s/early 70s vibe of this movie, the music, the cars, the London locations etc.