Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		5.0

Il Sorpasso Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman March 18, 2024

Note: This version of this film is available on Blu-ray as part of Radiance's Commedia all'italiana: Three Films by Dino Risi set.

Any film fan worth his or her salt would probably respond with a near instant "Neorealism!" if asked to name a post-World War II genre in Italian cinema. What came next is the focus of a really appealing three film set from Radiance, which further serves as a trio of examples of the wide ranging if kind of weirdly lesser remembered work of Dino Risi. Supplements on the three discs in this set offer a primer of sorts for those unacquainted with either/both neorealismo rosa (i.e., "Pink Neorealism") or/and commedia all'italiana (i.e., "Italian style comedy"), and provide some really interesting context of what Italy was going through both overtly and perhaps on a subliminal level as it dug itself out from the horrors of Fascism and the devastating effects of a global conflict where it initially at least played a central part in hostilities. The "transition" from neorealimso rosa to commedia all'italiana was perhaps not "cut and dried", and so the three Risi films may at various times reflect different aspects of both of these perceived genres, but all three stories offer some trenchant observations about Italian culture and its basic socioeconomic framework in the late fifties to early sixties, and two of the three films offer showcases for Vittorio Gassman, who was, as one supplement included in this set gets into, suddenly an "overnight sensation" as a frequently buffoonish comedy performer after having earned plaudits for much more serious stage and film work, including celebrated performances in plays by Shakespeare.

One of the supplements on this disc may at least question a bit whether or not the frequently cited "fact" that Il Sorpasso helped to spark Easy Rider is true, a proposition that might seem just a trifle odd in any case since Il Sorpasso features remarkably few motorcycles (that's a bit of a joke, lest it not be obvious). Instead, this "road movie" offers two characters tooling about the countryside in a car, in a series of vignettes that end in a somewhat chaotic fashion. In that regard, and especially vis a vis the somewhat boorish behavior of one of the travelers, a hulking brute name Bruno Cortona (Vittorio Gassman), a more appropriate cinematic reference (whether or not Il Sorpasso "inspired" it) might be Bernard Blier's Going Places. While Going Places' closing moments are arguably a little ambiguous, one sound effect in particular as the image fades may suggest that both stories actually end in somewhat the same manner (further information won't be offered to prevent any spoilers).

Il Sorpasso is an outlier of sorts in Radiance's Risi set in that it's had a previous release on Blu-ray, albeit for Region A from Criterion. Those interested in a plot summary are encouraged to read Svet Atanasov's Il Sorpasso Blu-ray review of that release.

Il Sorpasso Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Il Sorpasso is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Radiance Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. While Radiance's packaging doesn't offer much technical information, the presentation starts with the following text cards (in Italian, translated in the subtitles as follows):

This restoration was performed by the Cineteca Foundation in Bologna and Istituto Luce - Cinecitta, Suf Film, RT, Lyon Film, and LCJ Productions. The 4K digital restoration was based on original film and soundtrack negatives. Some frames were heavily compromised by mould and tears and were recovered using first generation counter-negatives. The process took place in 2016 at the L'Immagine Ritrovata laboratories.

This is an often exceptional looking presentation, with really secure fine detail levels throughout, with some possible very minor softness issues in some of the on location outdoor material, notably some of the sequences shot in moving cars. Contrast is consistently solid throughout, with some understandable variances in any number of optical dissolves, techniques which can also affect grain thickness for a second or two. There's a really appealingly organic appearance to this transfer and whatever restoration gauntlet was undertaken has eliminated any signs of major damage and/or age related wear and tear.

Il Sorpasso Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Il Sorpasso features an LPCM 2.0 Mono track in the original Italian, and I'd rate this one at the top of the three offerings in this set in terms of offering an overall full bodied sound without distractions like overly bright high ends. There is still definitely a somewhat boxy sound on hand, but elements like the swingin' jazz score by Riz Ortolani really sound great for the most part, and all dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.

Il Sorpasso Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Dino Risi (HD; 13:11) is a 1999 interview conducted by Jean E. Gili. Subtitled in English.


• Jean-Louis Trintignant (HD; 8:37) is a snippet from the French television program Cine Passion from 1983. Subtitled in English.


• Richard Dyer (HD; 22:17) is a really good "appreciation" by Dyer which will be a good "study aid" for those unacquainted either with this film or with the Commedia all'Italiana genre.


• L'Estate de Bruno Cortona - Castiglioncello Nell'Anno Del Sorpasso (HD; 11:02) is an extract from a documentary made about the film to help celebrate its 50th anniversary. Subtitled in English.


• On a Trintignant Kick (HD; 58:17) is an audio essay by Tim Lucas which plays to scenes from the film.


• Trailer (HD; 2:30)

Il Sorpasso Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Some of the supplements on this disc address what might be perceived by some as a slight whiff of homophobia running just beneath the surface of this film, and while that perception is actually not germane to this particular plot point, there is a distinction drawn between the "traditionally" masculine Bruno and the more reserved, bookish Roberto (Jean-Louis Trintignant). This is arguably the best of the three Risi films in Radiance's set, and it offers secure technical merits and some outstanding supplements. Highly recommended.