Identikit (The Driver's Seat) – Severin Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy/West Germany, 1974
Director: Giuseppe Patroni Griffi
Writers: Raffaele La Capria, Giuseppe Patroni Griffi
Cast: Elizabeth Taylor, Ian Bannen, Guido Mannari, Mona Washbourne, Luigi Squarzina, Maxence Mailfort, Andy Warhol

Release Date: October 25th, 2022
Approximate running time: 102 Minutes 9 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: R
Sound: DTS-HD Mono English, DTS-HD Mono Italian
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $104.95 (only available as part of House of Psychotic Women: Rarities Collection)

"Elizabeth Taylor stars as a disturbed woman who arrives in Rome to find a city fragmented by autocratic law, leftist violence and her own increasingly unhinged mission to find the most dangerous liaison of all." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Now restored in 4K by Cinematheque of Bologna and Severin Films."

Identikit (The Driver's Seat) comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 35.7 GB

Feature: 29.3 GB

The source used for this transfer looks excellent—color saturation, image clarity, contrast, and compression are strong, and the image retains an organic look.

Audio: 4/5 (DTS-HD Mono English, DTS-HD Mono Italian)

This release comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD mono mix in English and a DTS-HD mono mix in Italian. Though limited range-wise, both audio tracks sound clean, clear, and balanced. That said, the differences between these two tracks are minimal. Included with this release are removable English SDH subtitles.

Extras:

Extras for this release include original theatrical trailer in standard definition (3 minutes 42 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), reconstructed theatrical trailer in high definition (3 minutes 38 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), alternate opening and closing credits under the title The Driver’s Seat (4 minutes 7 seconds, Dolby Digital mono), an interview with writer and literary historian Chandra Mayor who discusses Muriel Spark and The Driver's Seat titled A Lack Of Absence (22 minutes 3 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an introduction by Kier-La Janisse, author of House of Psychotic Women (5 minutes 37 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), and an audio commentary with TCM Underground curator Millie De Chirico.

Summary:

Identikit (The Driver's Seat) was directed by Giuseppe Patroni Griffi, whose other notable films include 'Tis Pity She's a Whore and The Divine Nymph. Identikit (The Driver's Seat) is a beautifully photographed film that was shot by cinematographer Vittorio Storaro, whose other notable films are The Bird with the Crystal Plumage, The Conformist, and Apocalypse Now.

The ambiguous narrative revolves around a disturbed older woman who goes to Rome looking for a man whom she has never met and whose name she does not know. A non-linear narrative alternates between the moments in this woman’s life that led to her demise and scenes where the police interrogated those who crossed her path.

The main draw of Identikit (The Driver's Seat) is Elizabeth Taylor (Suddenly, Last Summer) in the role of Lise, the protagonist. Though only minimal background details are provided about her character, she delivers an engaging performance that perfectly puts you into her character's state of mind. That said, outside of Elizabeth Taylor, the rest of the performances are mere props that help move forward her character's journey.

Identikit (The Driver's Seat) is a film that relies heavily on atmosphere. And though there is a simplicity to the story at hand, there are many moments of symbolism throughout, some subtle and others heavy-handed. That said, most viewers will find Identikit (The Driver's Seat) a difficult film to digest, while those who fully embrace it will find a rewarding cinematic experience about the depths of loneliness.

Identikit (The Driver's Seat) gets a solid release from Severin Films as part of their House of Psychotic Women: Rarities Collection, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer