Director: Romolo Guerrieri
Screenplay: Valentino Bompiani, Sandro Continenza, Sauro Scavolini
Starring: Jean Sorel, Lucia Bosé, Eva Aulin, Sergio Doria
Country: Italy
Running Time: 88 minutes
Year: 1971
The Double (1971) has been referred to as a quasi-giallo. A giallo is a highly stylised Italian murder-mystery thriller that blends elements of horror, crime fiction and eroticism.
Radiance is releasing the film in Bluray as part of a worldwide premiere in the format. The HD release uses a 4K restoration taken from the original camera negative. It also uses features uncompressed mono audio soundtrack.
This disorientating giallo-like movie revolves around the shooting of young architect Frank, played by European star Jean Sorel, and we follow his story has his life flashes before his eyes. The reason it’s not seen as pure giallo is because it discards the genre’s trademark slasher violence and black-gloved horror tropes associated with faceless killers.
The 88-minute film, helmed by director Romolo Guerrieri, does however follow the structural framework of a giallo but instead of the more cartoonish elements of the genre, it’s more of a slow-burn character study. It’s a sinister tale which builds up to a powerful and satisfying conclusion as the pieces all come together.
Sorel is highly effective as the objectionable Frank, a rich young 30-something living off his family’s wealth with dreams of becoming a fully-fledged architect – although, the only project he’s completed was commissioned by his family. After we see Frank being shot down by a creepy mysterious man, we are transported to the past, to the sunny shores of Morocco.
Frank is on his honeymoon with wife Lucia, played by the former beauty model Eva Aulin. They squabble over their ideals. It’s not a happy marriage.
Frank feels his masculinity is challenged when Nora befriends American drifter Eddie (Sergio Doria). He’s also fallen in love with Lucia’s mother Nora played by European arthouse legend Lucia Bosè. The English dubbing complements the actors’ performances really well, if a little unclear, at times.
The image quality is striking. The deep blacks and sharp highlights provide a solid contrast in the picture. Whether the action is taking place in the dingey parking lot as a bloody Frank is rolling across the floor in slow motion, the sweeping vistas of Morroca, or the murkey depths of the ocean, the Technicolor process of the era has resulted in a beautiful image.
The visuals are further enhanced by stylised camera shots and frenetic editing. It features quick and choppy transitions as the tension and mystery mount and the drama unfolds.
Film:
Special Features
- Audio commentary by Tim Lucas (2026)
- Archival interview with director Romolo Guerrieri and star Eva Aulin newly edited for this release (2026)
- Appreciation by author Stephen Thrower (2026)
- Reversible sleeve featuring artwork based on original posters
- Limited edition booklet featuring new writing by author and critic Nathaniel Thompson
- Limited edition of 3000 copies, presented in full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings
Tim Lucas audio commentary: Lucas is a film commentary regular and he’s a name I have come to associate with quality. He packs the 88 minutes of runtime with dense film analysis and layer upon layer of context about giallo and Italian cinema. Really wonderful all-encompassing commentary track. He admits he hasn’t read the book the film is based on – but still manages to provide some great analysis of the work.
Romolo Guerrieri/Eva Aulin interview (14 mins): These set of interviews have been really well edited together and work in great synergy when Guerrieri and Aulin are discussing similar themes. They speak about shooting sex scenes, favouring real locations over a studio, Aulin’s early days in Italian cinema, and how they feel about giallo movies being rediscovered in the modern era.
Stephen Thrower appreciation (26 mins): This was an insightful reflection on the film and its themes. Thrower breaks down why it’s a quasi-giallo movie. He analysis a very disturbing key scene in the film, looking at the way the sound comes at odds with the action. He also delves into the concept of doubles and what the title means – it has a surprising amount of (excuse the pun) double meanings.
Disc/package:
Radiance releases The Double in Bluray on 20th of July.