Jean Sorel had an amazing 1971. The actor had been working for a decade when he rode the wave of Giallo movies to a trio of movies. First up was a star turn in Lucio Fulci’s A Lizard In A Woman’s Skin. He had the lead in Aldo Lado’s stunning debut Short Night of Glass Dolls. Finally he turned in a startling performance in The Double. The movie reunited Sorel with director Romolo Guerrieri after they had made The Sweet Body of Deborah. Even though Italian Giallo films have been getting properly released on DVD in America over the last 20 years, The Double was stuck on aging VHS tapes until now when it arrives on Blu-ray.
The movie opens up with one of those ultimate starts: Frank (Jean Sorel) gets out of his car in a parking deck and is shot by an old guy with a beard and glasses (Romeo and Juliet‘s Antonio Pierfederici). Why was he being murdered? Frank’s memories of his life takeover the narrative as the blood pours out of him onto the pavement. While Frank is an architect, his career isn’t that successful. But it almost doesn’t matter since he’s living off his rich family who have a brick making factory. He marries Lucia (Death Laid An Egg‘s Ewa Aulin), a diplomat’s daughter who enjoys the jet set lifestyle on his family’s dime. During their honeymoon trip to Morocco, they run into Eddie, a bearded hippie from America. Frank begins to get fearful that Lucia is going to have an affair with the guy. But he’s got his own hang up since he’s got the hots for Lucia’s mom Nora (Fellini Satyricon‘s Lucia Bosè). Frank doesn’t hold back when he gets a chance to give him more than a son-in-law peck on the cheek. Frank however gets paranoid that Eddie also wants to sleep with Nora. Although mixed in with the memories are quite a few of Frank’s fantasies and delusions both sensual and violent. Will we ever figure out what Frank did that led to his shooting?
What’s interesting is that Jean Sorel also played a man who is a “fragile” position and flashing back on his life in Short Night of Glass Dolls. But the movies aren’t the same for various reasons. The most important difference is his memories in Short Night are reliable. The Double makes us wonder what really happened in quite a few scenes. Is he always fantasizing about what he wants to do to Nora or Hippie Eddie? He is paranoid Walter Mitty in a Giallo. Except we do know something has happened because Eddie did get shot. The atmosphere of the film is like if Michelangelo Antonioni or Nicolas Roeg had made Giallo films. There’s a richness to the story that lets it rise above the more formulaic entries in the genre. The Double is so welcomed into any collection of Italian Giallo movies after being unavailable for so many decades.
If you are planning on watching The Double for a Giallo and Gelato night, I recommend a pairing with Talenti’s Double Dark Chocolate.
The Video is 1.85:1 anamorphic. The transfer is a 4K restoration from the original negative. This allows you to enjoy the Morocco and Rome based action. The Audio is Italian and English dubs in LPCM 1.0 mono. The movie subtitled in English and English SDH.
Audio Commentary by Tim Lucas gets into how the film is a mix of memories and fantasies from Frank.
Romolo Guerrrieri and Ewa Aulin (14:25) talk about the film. These were recorded in 2013 and 2017 and edited together for this featurette. The director talks about how so much of the film was made in Morocco. The rest was shot in Rome using mostly real apartments and locations. He also mentions Ewa had the best backside in the business at the time. Ewa shares memories of working with Lucia Bosé. She enjoyed Romolo’s attitude during the shoot. Jean Sorel is described as a gentleman and reserved. He was having a busy time in cinema.
Stephen Thrower (26:02) gives an appreciation of the film. He compares it to Guerrrieri’s previous Sweet Body of Deborah (which needs a Blu-ray release). He points out what the Italian title La controfigura really means. It’s more than just “Double.” He gives us the history of the director and cast. Don’t watch until you see the movie, otherwise you’ll learn the big secret.
Stills Gallery includes 35 images of posters, the sales booklet and lobby cards.
Limited Edition Booklet has photos and an essay by Nathaniel Thompson.
Radiance Films present The Double: Limited Edition. Directed by Romolo Guerrieri. Screenplay by Sandro Continenza & Sauro Scavolini. Starring Jean Sorel, Lucia Bosè, Ewa Aulin, Silvano Tranquilli, Sergio Doria & Marilù Tolo. Running Time: 91 minutes. Rating: Unrated. Release Date: July 21, 2026.
