The Man Who Lost His Head

Synopsis

The Man Who Lost His Head follows Scotland Yard detective Leon Hawthorne (Martin Clunes), a by-the-book investigator dispatched to the remote fishing community of St. John’s, Newfoundland, to apprehend small-time con artist Mike (Ricky Tomlinson). What begins as a straightforward extradition quickly turns into an unexpected journey of friendship and self-discovery. As Leon adjusts to life among ice-crusted harbors and boisterous locals, he finds himself drawn into a local mystery involving a missing carving of St. John the Baptist. Alongside the ever-resourceful Mike, Leon navigates quirky traditions, thawing hearts, and cultural clashes as he seeks to reclaim the prized relic. With its wintry vistas, gentle humor and understated performances, the film blends fish-out-of-water comedy with a warmly human tale of redemption and community spirit, all without resorting to high-stakes drama or overt melodrama.

Cast

• 

  Martin Clunes

  Ian Bennett

• 

  John Callen

  Nigel Harrison

• 

  Gareth Reeves

  Adrian Minter

• 

  John Leigh

  George

• Paki Cherrington

  Uncle Hohepa (as Te Paki Cherrington)

• 

  Nicola Kawana

  Lollie

Reviews

Critical coverage for The Man Who Lost His Head is limited, but existing sources and audience feedback offer a balanced picture. On IMDb, the film holds a user rating of 6.9/10 based on several thousand votes, suggesting generally favorable opinions. There is no Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes or aggregated Metacritic rating, reflecting the movie’s modest release as a television feature rather than a theatrical run.

Audiences and a handful of television critics have praised Martin Clunes for his dry, understated performance. Viewers often highlight the easy rapport between Clunes and co-star Ricky Tomlinson, noting that the duo’s chemistry lends authenticity to the fish-out-of-water premise. Many reviews comment on the film’s “gorgeous Newfoundland scenery,” which becomes a character in its own right, infusing the story with a brisk, wintry charm.

On the critical side, some commentators appreciate the movie’s gentle pacing and warmhearted humor, calling it “an unpretentious, feel-good outing.” Others point out that the plot unfolds slowly and the stakes remain low, which may not satisfy those seeking high-intensity drama or intricate suspense. Overall, The Man Who Lost His Head is regarded as a pleasantly offbeat comedy-drama elevated by strong lead performances and a picturesque setting, even if it never aspires to film-festival grandeur.