Man Who Wouldn’t Die, The (1994) – Nostalgia Central

Perhaps Roger Moore’s most important American work of his fall years, this American thriller is a murder mystery with a brilliant central conceit: Moore plays crime novelist Thomas Grice, who murders his most famous character, Inspector Fulbright. For several years, he now works for an American newspaper as a community writer.

He now finds himself framed in real life by Bernard Drake (Malcolm McDowell) – the deranged criminal and murderer who inspired Grace’s most famous fictional villain, Ian Morrissey, in his novel. The man who will not die.

Only psycho diner waitress Jessie Gallardo (Nancy Allen) can help Grace solve the mystery.

Surprised me. “Be Fulbright,” Drake taunts Grace.

“Wage a battle of wits with me using this book as your battle plan.” Grace – given the book’s outcome – doesn’t have much of a choice, and the result is a rewarding story.

With scenes from the novel played out in black and white and Jesse’s psychological discoveries woven in, everything is played out with slightly arched brows. That Roger Moore’s eyebrows are a weird shade of orange is something that should only concern him and his colorist!

Moore’s team with McDowell was inspired. They spark off each other, and it’s interesting to see what a later TV series with Moore would have looked like.

Thomas Grace/Inspector Fulbright
Roger Moore
Bernard Drake / Ian Morrissey
Malcolm McDowell
Jesse Gallardo
Nancy Allen
Lieutenant Strong
Jackson Davis
Jack sullivan
Eric McCormack
Carruthers
Kevin McAnulty
Lawrence Rashad
Mina e Mina
Henry Graham
Don McKay
CNSL Thackeray
Bernard Coveling
Ingrid
Wendy van Rijsen
Henry’s secretary
Tyrell Rothery
Secretary of the forties
Jessica van der Veen
Boris
Scott Bellis
MacKinnon
Roger Cross
pathologist
Anthony Holland
Printer
David Glyn Jones
Young monk
Douglas Arthurs
Herbert March
Larry Moser
Walter Tilly
Roman Budura
Flattery art
Gillian Barber
sincere
Michael Pottonen
Donna
Kimberly Restell

exit
Bill Condon