John Travolto: The Face with Two Left Feet Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

John Travolto: The Face with Two Left Feet Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov August 20, 2026

Neri Parenti's "John Travolto: The Face with Two Left Feet" (1979) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Severin Films. The supplemental features on the release include new program with author and critic Alan Jones; new audio commentary by critics Eugenio Ercolani, Nathaniel Thompson, and Howard S. Berger; original trailers; and more. In English or Italian, with optional English and English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

The knockoff

Extraordinary. It is the only way to describe Giuseppe Spezia’s transformation. He does not pretend to be John Travolta. After he shaves his moustache and puts on the white suit, he is Travolta. One hundred percent. This is not an exaggeration. The close-ups, the dancing footage, even the goofy footage where he does the silly imitation of the main character from Saturday Night Fever, they all show Travolta. Spezia just does not sound like the American superstar.

Before the transformation, Spezia is Gianni, an introverted, goofy hotel cook madly in love with Ilona (future adult star Cicciolina), the gorgeous DJ of the area’s most popular disco club. On a night like any other, surrounded and constantly encouraged by his friends, Gianni finally gathers the courage to engage Ilona, but fails miserably and then gives up on his dream of being her man, convinced it just wasn’t meant to be. However, in the days after the disastrous failure, Gianni’s friends notice that he looks a bit like Tony Manero, and together they spend an afternoon at the local movie theater, enjoying Saturday Night Fever and Travolta’s antics on and off the dance floor. Then someone makes a bold suggestion – if Gianni shaves his moustache, gets a haircut, and puts on Manero’s white suit, he can become Travolta and melt Ilona’s heart. Against the odds, the seemingly ridiculous plan gets overwhelming support, and Gianni’s transformation officially begins.

When the American superstar unexpectedly appears at the hotel where Gianni makes ends meet, the staff panics, and later, at the disco club, he shocks everyone with his dance moves. The gorgeous Ilona also falls under his spell. However, the hotel’s manager notices that Gianni has shaved his moustache and, after connecting the dots, offers him a most unusual deal.

Neri Parenti’s directorial debut, John Travolto: The Face with Two Left Feet, is a classic piece of Italian cinematic cheese whose flavor can not possibly be everyone’s cup of tea. Simply put, it is one very, very, very silly film whose dated personality and style make it look even sillier. However, this is precisely why it is one irresistibly charming film as well.

In Italy, these types of silly but enormously charming films became popular in the 1970s and then incredibly popular in the 1980s. The sexy comedies were especially big, but the light action films, like the ones that Bud Spencer and Terence Hill appeared in, were all the rage as well. Many of the sexy comedies recruited actresses who had transitioned to the adult industry after the Italian genre films began struggling at the box office, like Moana Pozzi, Lili Carati, Karin Schubert, and Cicciolina.

John Travolto: The Face with Two Left Feet is one of the last films Cicciolina made using her real name, Ilona Staller, and before her transformation into an adult star. However, while better known at the time and with significantly greater acting experience, Cicciolina does not match the quality of Spezia’s performance. This is a surprising development because Spezia was not a professional actor.

Parenti made his directorial debut with cinematographer Alberto Spagnoli, whose credits include several very well-known films, including Peter Boganovich’s Daisy Miller and Mario Bava’s Shock.

John Travolto: The Face with Two Left Feet Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, John Travolto: The Face with Two Left Feet arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Severin Films.

Fully restored in 4K, John Travolto: The Face with Two Left Feet looks terrific in high-definition. However, I must immediately mention that in several areas, including footage from the disco club, it is very easy to tell that John Travolto: The Face with Two Left Feet was a modest production. Some of the lighting choices are not particularly great, and the camera movement is somewhat unconvincing. However, these rougher spots definitely add to the film's period charm. Delineation, clarity, and depth are either very good or excellent. Grain exposure is healthy and even. There are no traces of any problematic digital corrections. Color reproduction and balance are very convincing. However, I think that the dynamic range of select visuals could be slightly better. Nevertheless, the entire film has a solid, very convincing period appearance. There are no serious stability issues. My score is 4.75/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

John Travolto: The Face with Two Left Feet Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH (for the former) and English (for the latter) subtitles are provided for the main feature.

Virtually all important characters deliver their lines in English. However, they are all overdubbed. (The Italian track is overdubbed as well). This is not a surprising development, and some of the goofy intonation makes the film more charming. Clarity and sharpness are fine, but there are some noticeable fluctuations. Dynamic variety is fairly modest, even in areas where the music has an important role.

John Travolto: The Face with Two Left Feet Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• The Show is Over: John Travolto and the End of the Disco Film - in this new program, author and critic Alan Jones correctly links the Italian title of Neri Parenti's directorial debut to Lina Wertmüller's comedy Swept Away, and discusses the disco fever that has a major presence in the former. Jones also comments the disco music heard in it. In English, not subtitled. (9 min).

• Commentary - this new audio commentary was recorded by critics Eugenio Ercolani, Nathaniel Thompson, and Howard S. Berger.

• Trailer One - presented here is an original U.S. trailer. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• Italian Trailer - presented here is an original Italian trailer. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• Soundtrack - original motion picture soundtrack of John Travolto: The Face with Two Left Feet, presented on CD.

John Travolto: The Face with Two Left Feet Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

While dominated by disco music, John Travolto: The Face with Two Left Feet is not just a disco film. It is one of hundreds of different charming silly films, most quite hilarious, that were all the rage in Italy during the 1970s and 1980s. I find its silliness enormously attractive and relaxing, and Giuseppe Spezia's transformation extraordinary. Severin Films presents a gorgeous new 4K restoration of John Travolto: The Face with Two Left Feet, which is included in Disco Italiana, a three-disc box set. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.