The Mind Of Mr Soames deals with the intriguing concept of a thirty year old man - suspended in a deep coma since the day he was born - being belatedly awakened and introduced to life in the waking world. More cleverly, it anticipates by thirty years the world's obsession with reality TV, as the newly roused man-baby's experiences are captured by television crews each step of the way. Considering how unlikely and distant the concept of fly-on-the-wall TV documentaries must have been back in the early '70s, this marks an uncannily prescient aspect of the story.
John Soames (Terence Stamp) has been comatose since birth due to a brain defect. He has been kept alive by intravenous feeding and round-the- clock care and attention from a team of scientists at the Midland Institute of Neurophysiological Research. American surgeon Dr. Bergen (Robert Vaughn) is brought in to perform a delicate operation which will spur Soames into consciousness. After that, Soames is to be placed under the supervision of Dr. Maitland (Nigel Davenport) who has prepared a rigorous programme to integrate him into the world – planning a strict timetable for when he will walk, talk, eat, dress, read, count and so on. Bergen expresses concerns at the excessively scientific, impersonal and inflexible nature of the plans, but Maitland is adamant that Soames must be pushed hard to catch up on lost years as quickly as possible. Of course, things don't run smoothly and Soames soon tires of the regimented treatment to which he is subjected. He escapes from the institute and goes on he run in the 'real world', where his toddler-like perceptions put him - and others - in considerable danger.
Although slow-paced and deliberately bloodless, The Mind Of Mr Soames remains a much underrated gem in the annals of Amicus. Stamp's performance alone is worth the price of admission. How easy it would have been for a lesser actor to look awfully foolish playing this baby- in-an-adult's-body (complete with man-sized pink baby grow). Yet Stamp brings remarkable conviction to the role, making us believe his every action and reaction throughout the film. Vaughn and Davenport are also in very good form as the main supporting players. The film bears some resemblance to the Frankenstein legend in certain aspects, with Maitland representing the Dr. F figure (ambitious scientist bringing to life what was once inanimate, but showing only scientific curiosity rather than love towards his 'creation') and Stamp a gentler incarnation of the monster (frightened creature, unaware of his own potential to harm, at large in the wider community). It is never a truly exciting film, aiming for an intentionally low-key and unsensational tone throughout. It is however thoroughly absorbing, thought-provoking and - thanks to its earnest performances - very believable. As unfairly overlooked gems go, they don't come more unfairly overlooked than The Mind Of Mr Soames.
John Soames (Terence Stamp) has been comatose since birth due to a brain defect. He has been kept alive by intravenous feeding and round-the- clock care and attention from a team of scientists at the Midland Institute of Neurophysiological Research. American surgeon Dr. Bergen (Robert Vaughn) is brought in to perform a delicate operation which will spur Soames into consciousness. After that, Soames is to be placed under the supervision of Dr. Maitland (Nigel Davenport) who has prepared a rigorous programme to integrate him into the world – planning a strict timetable for when he will walk, talk, eat, dress, read, count and so on. Bergen expresses concerns at the excessively scientific, impersonal and inflexible nature of the plans, but Maitland is adamant that Soames must be pushed hard to catch up on lost years as quickly as possible. Of course, things don't run smoothly and Soames soon tires of the regimented treatment to which he is subjected. He escapes from the institute and goes on he run in the 'real world', where his toddler-like perceptions put him - and others - in considerable danger.
Although slow-paced and deliberately bloodless, The Mind Of Mr Soames remains a much underrated gem in the annals of Amicus. Stamp's performance alone is worth the price of admission. How easy it would have been for a lesser actor to look awfully foolish playing this baby- in-an-adult's-body (complete with man-sized pink baby grow). Yet Stamp brings remarkable conviction to the role, making us believe his every action and reaction throughout the film. Vaughn and Davenport are also in very good form as the main supporting players. The film bears some resemblance to the Frankenstein legend in certain aspects, with Maitland representing the Dr. F figure (ambitious scientist bringing to life what was once inanimate, but showing only scientific curiosity rather than love towards his 'creation') and Stamp a gentler incarnation of the monster (frightened creature, unaware of his own potential to harm, at large in the wider community). It is never a truly exciting film, aiming for an intentionally low-key and unsensational tone throughout. It is however thoroughly absorbing, thought-provoking and - thanks to its earnest performances - very believable. As unfairly overlooked gems go, they don't come more unfairly overlooked than The Mind Of Mr Soames.