Dead Ringers (1988)

Director:

David Cronenberg

Writers:

Bari Wood (book) and
Jack Geasland (book) ...
(more)

Release Date:

23 September 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Two bodies. Two minds. One soul. Separation can be a terrifying thing.

Plot:

Twin gynecologists take full advantage of the fact that nobody can tell them apart, until their relationship begins to deteriorate over a woman.

Plot Keywords:

Gynecologist | Twin | Doctor | Identical Twins | Actress

Awards:

20 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Jeremy Irons	...	Beverly Mantle / Elliot Mantle
Geneviève Bujold	...	Claire Niveau (as Genevieve Bujold)
Heidi von Palleske	...	Cary (as Heidi Von Palleske)
Barbara Gordon	...	Danuta
Shirley Douglas	...	Laura
Stephen Lack	...	Anders Wolleck
Nick Nichols	...	Leo
Lynne Cormack	...	Arlene
Damir Andrei	...	Birchall
Miriam Newhouse	...	Mrs. Bookman
David Hughes	...	Superintendent
Richard W. Farrell	...	Dean of Medicine (as Richard Farrell)
Warren Davis	...	Anatomy Class Supervisor
Jonathan Haley	...	Beverly, Age 9
Nicholas Haley	...	Elliot, Age 9
Marsha Moreau	...	Raffaella
Dennis Akayama	...	Pharmacist (as Denis Akiyama)
Dee McCafferty	...	Surgeon
Susan Markle	...	Operating Room Nurse
Murray Cruchley	...	Assisting Surgeon
Jane Luk	...	Lecture Hall Nurse
Tita Trevisan	...	Furniture Salesman
Jacqueline Hennessy	...	Coral (as Jacqueline Hennessy)
Jill Hennessy	...	Mimsy (as Jillian Hennessy)
David Walden	...	Director
Liliane Stillwell	...	Wardrobe Person
Denise McLeod	...	Art Gallery Lady
Bob Bainborough	...	Mr. Glaser
Nick Rice	...	MC (as Nicholas Rice)
Joe Matheson	...	Sean
Hadley Kay	...	Delivery Boy
Cynthia Eastman	...	Sobbing Woman
Nora Colpman	...	Mrs. Randall
Rena Polley	...	Soap Opera Character
Madeleine Atkinson	...	Soap Opera Character
John Bayliss	...	Performance Double
Graham Evans	...	Picture Double
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
David Cronenberg	...	Obstetrician (uncredited)
Alan Gough	...	Director / producer of TV soap opera (uncredited)
Jordan-Patrick Marcantonio	...	Twin Boy (uncredited)
Julian-Peter Marcantonio	...	(uncredited)
Greg Van Riel	...	Man in reception (uncredited)

Directed by
David Cronenberg

Writing credits
Bari Wood		(book "Twins") and
Jack Geasland		(book "Twins")
David Cronenberg		(written by) and
Norman Snider		(written by)

Produced by
Carol Baum	....	executive producer
John Board	....	associate producer
Marc Boyman	....	producer
David Cronenberg	....	producer
Sylvio Tabet	....	executive producer
James G. Robinson	....	executive producer (uncredited)
Joe Roth	....	executive producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Howard Shore

Cinematography by
Peter Suschitzky		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Ronald Sanders

Casting by
Deirdre Bowen

Production Design by
Carol Spier

Art Direction by
Alicia Keywan		(supervising art director)
James McAteer

Set Decoration by
Elinor Rose Galbraith

Costume Design by
Denise Cronenberg

Makeup Department
Eva Coudouloux	....	hair stylist: TV soap opera
Eva Coudouloux	....	makeup artist: TV soap opera
Shonagh Jabour	....	makeup artist
Ivan Lynch	....	hair designer
Maxine Rennes-Gunderson	....	assistant hair stylist
Barbara Szablowski	....	assistant makeup artist

Production Management
Gabriella Martinelli	....	post-production supervisor
Gabriella Martinelli	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
John Board	....	first assistant director
Cynthia Clayton	....	trainee assistant director (as Cyndie Clayton)
Kevin Larstone	....	assistant director: TV soap opera
Laurie Mirsky	....	third assistant director
Izidore K. Musallam	....	second assistant director

Art Department
John Bannister	....	scenic artist
Andrew Chatham	....	assistant head carpenter
Kirk Cheney	....	construction manager
Ane Christensen	....	assistant set dresser
Ying Chung	....	carpenter
Brian Clancy	....	carpenter
Janet Cormack	....	scenic artist
Casey De Snoo	....	carpenter
Chris Dutton	....	set dresser
J.C. Edwards	....	carpenter
Danielle Fleury	....	assistant set decorator
Brian Fowler	....	carpenter
Christopher Geggie	....	lead props (as Chris Geggie)
Brian Gibson	....	scenic artist
Peter Grundy	....	first assistant art director
David Hamayda	....	carpenter
Doug Harlocker	....	property master (as Douglas Harlocker)
Jasper Haynes	....	carpenter
Jacqui Hemingway	....	scenic artist assistant
John Jackson	....	carpenter
John Keenan	....	carpenter
Gregory P. Keen	....	first assistant art director (as Gregory Keen)
Murray Keith	....	assistant head carpenter
Simon Kwasniak	....	carpenter
Brian Lumley	....	carpenter
Joe Madziak	....	carpenter
Rocco Matteo	....	art department trainee
Dan McGee	....	carpenter
Don McLeod	....	artist: motion control system
Michael J. Meade	....	trainee set decorator (as Michael Meade)
Bruce H. Meredith	....	carpenter
Allan Meuse	....	carpenter
Jak Oliver	....	key scenic artist
John Quesenberry	....	carpenter (as J. L. Quesenberry)
Warren Quigley	....	scenic artist assistant
Marlene Rain	....	property buyer
Malcolm Reid	....	carpenter
John Rice	....	carpenter
Jacques Rophoz	....	carpenter
Myles Roth	....	carpenter
Ted Samuels	....	carpenter
Al Snikkar	....	carpenter
Tim Spencer	....	carpenter
Danni Starbuck	....	carpenter
Jasna Stefanovic	....	art department trainee
Vlasta Svoboda	....	first assistant art director
Clive Thomasson	....	set dresser
Alexandra Thompson	....	art department trainee
Steve Trevella	....	carpenter
Jim Veale	....	co-head carpenter (as James H. Veale)
Ken Watkins	....	second assistant art director
Ian Wheatley	....	assistant set decorator
Greg Young	....	assistant head carpenter
John Dondertman	....	assistant art director (uncredited)
Thomas Pearce	....	co-head carpenter (uncredited)
Tim Spencer	....	art department assistant (uncredited)

Sound Department
Terry Burke	....	foley artist
Richard Cadger	....	sound editor
Viktoria Cseh-McCormick	....	assistant sound editor (as Victoria Cseh)
Bryan Day	....	sound mixer
David Evans	....	sound editor
David Giammarco	....	sound editor
Wayne Griffin	....	sound editor
Sean Kelly	....	assistant sound editor
Judy 'Lucky' Kemeny	....	assistant sound editor (as Judy Kemeny)
Michael LaCroix	....	boom operator (as Michael Lacroix)
John Laing	....	assistant sound editor
Andy Nelson	....	sound re-recording mixer
Dino Pigat	....	adr recordist
Donna Powell	....	assistant foley artist
Peter Tarshis	....	sound recordist: TV soap opera sequence
Don White	....	sound re-recording mixer

Special Effects by
Randall Balsmeyer	....	motion control programmer
Gordon J. Smith	....	special effects designer (as Gordon Smith)

Visual Effects by
Dimitris Anapliotis	....	optical printer
Jon Campfens	....	optical printer camerman
Bill Francis	....	laboratory assistant: motion control system
Chris Furniotis	....	optical line-up
George Furniotis	....	optical director
John Furniotis	....	optical director (as G. John Furniotis)
Derek Howard	....	laboratory supervisor: motion control system
Walter Klassen	....	mechanical designer: motion control system
Shelly Morrow	....	junior optical layout/camera animation
Richard Palin	....	motion control assistant
Alan Peppiatt	....	rotoscope artist
Ted Ross	....	laboratory assistant: motion control system
Don Snowdon	....	rotoscope artist
Lee Wilson	....	optical effects supervisor
Bob Yoshioka	....	optical line-up

Stunts
John Bayliss	....	stunt double

Camera and Electrical Department
Scotty Allan	....	gaffer
Roger Bowden	....	generator operator
Carlo Campana	....	key grip
Arthur E. Cooper	....	second assistant camera
Marijo Corcoran	....	camera trainee
Robert Crone	....	Steadicam operator
John Denniston	....	assistant camera: t.v. soap opera
Attila Dory	....	still photographer
Nigel Draper	....	electrician
Ted Fanyeck	....	electrician
John Garland	....	electrician (as Jon Garland)
John Grierson	....	camera operator: t.v. soap opera
Duane Gullison	....	generator operator
Mitch Holmes	....	best boy grip
Michael Iwan	....	grip
Gary Ledbetter	....	electrician
Marvin Midwicki	....	first assistant camera
Don Payne	....	grip
Ian D. Scott	....	best boy electric (as Ian Scott)
M.A. Simmons	....	video assistant
Andreas Trauttmansdorff	....	camera trainee
David Willetts	....	electrician (as David J. Willetts)
Bill Wilson	....	electrician
David J. Woods	....	video supervisor (as David Woods)
John Zulinski	....	grip
Nigel Draper	....	lamp operator (uncredited)

Animation Department
Peter Grucza	....	animation stand

Casting Department
Peter Lavender	....	extras casting
Melanie Tanz	....	extras casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Trysha Bakker	....	wardrobe assistant
Jay Du Boisson	....	wardrobe mistress
Nancy Duggan	....	seamstress
Brenda Gilles	....	wardrobe assistant
Patricia Hanley	....	seamstress

Editorial Department
Lesley Clark	....	post-production assistant
Charlotte Disher	....	editing production assistant
Chris Hinton	....	color timer
Bernadette Kelly	....	trainee assistant editor
Susan Maggi	....	second assistant editor
Michael Rea	....	first assistant editor
Sandra Tucker	....	post-production assistant
Steve Weslak	....	associate editor

Music Department
Homer Denison	....	orchestrator
Brian Eddolls	....	electronic music preparation
Jean Kerr	....	music coordinator: London
Dick Lewzey	....	music re-recording engineer
Suzana Peric	....	music editor
Howard Shore	....	conductor

Transportation Department
Howard Brenner	....	driver
David Brown	....	driver
Ron Coles	....	driver
Frances Hendry	....	head driver
Allen Kosonic	....	driver (as Al Kosonic)
Gilbert Lacasse	....	driver
Jerome McCann	....	driver captain
Chris Radley Walters	....	driver (as Chris Radley-Walters)
Steven Sacrob	....	driver
Richard Spiegelman	....	transportation coordinator

Other crew
Jami Abell	....	assistant: Mr. Roth
James F. Breithaupt	....	post-production accountant (as Jim Breithaupt)
John P. Cassels	....	production assistant
Lesley Clark	....	assistant: Mr. Boyman
Prudence Emery	....	unit publicist
Alice Ferrier	....	production coordinator
Marta Fischer	....	production assistant
John Gaskin	....	assistant accountant
Janet Gayford	....	production secretary
Alan Gough	....	director: t.v. soap opera (as R. Alan Gough)
Alan Gough	....	producer: t.v. soap opera (as R. Alan Gough)
Lynn Gran	....	craft service
Sara Holmes	....	office clerk
Ted Hunter	....	sculptor: Wolleck's studio sculptures
Anthony Kadak	....	location assistant
Neil Kredentser	....	location assistant
Heather McIntosh	....	production auditor
Vince Nyuli	....	unit location manager
Jeremy Podeswa	....	unit publicist
James G. Robinson	....	presenter
Margaret Roiphe	....	representative: financer
Joe Roth	....	presenter
Dug Rotstein	....	script supervisor
Wendie Saltarski	....	post-production accountant
Lillian Sarafinchan	....	location manager
Cindy Scott	....	accounting clerk
Teri Spasov	....	assistant accountant
Melanie Tanz	....	assistant: producers
Sandra Tucker	....	assistant: Mr. Cronenberg
Paul Van Zyl	....	intern
Janet M. West	....	assistant: Mr. Robinson (as Janet West)
Anita Simand	....	creative executive (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Mantle Clinic II
• Morgan Creek Productions
• Téléfilm Canada

Distributors

• Finnkino (1989) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Svensk Filmindustri (SF) (1989) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation (1988) (USA) (theatrical)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (1998) (USA) (DVD)
• Aquarius TV (2005) (Greece) (DVD)
• Astral Films (Canada)
• CMV Laservision (2007) (Germany) (DVD)
• Criterion Collection, The (1996) (USA) (laserdisc)
• Criterion Collection, The (1998) (USA) (DVD)
• Image Entertainment (USA) (laserdisc)
• Kurt Media (2007) (Germany) (DVD)
• Media Home Entertainment (video)
• Polyband (2001) (DVD)
• Rank Film Organization (UK)
• TVA International (2004) (Canada) (DVD)
• Twister Digital Video (2004) (Russia) (DVD)
• Umbrella Entertainment (2001) (Australia) (DVD)
• Video Film Express (2001) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2005) (USA) (DVD)

Other Companies

• 2 Gorillas  radical surgical instruments
• Balsmeyer and Everett  motion control system
• Balsmeyer and Everett  titles
• Film Effects  opticals
• Film House  sound re-recording
• P.S. Production Services  equipment services
• Pathé Sound  ADR recording
• Sapex Scripts  post-production script services
• Soundmix Studios Ltd.  sound transfers
• Standing Metal Works  radical surgical instruments
• Studio Catering  catering
• Studios CTS  music recorded at
• T.'n.T Negative Cutting  negative cutting

Also Known As:

Alter ego (Canada: French title)
Gemini (Canada: English title) (working title)
Twins (Canada: English title) (working title)
Die Unzertrennlichen (West Germany) [de]
Dubbelgångare (Sweden) [sv]
Erottamattomat (Finland) [fi]
Faux-semblants (France) [fr]
Inseparabili (Italy) [it]
Inseparables (Spain) [es]
Irmãos Inseparáveis (Portugal) [pt]
Kobni blizanci (Serbia) [sr]
Nierozlaczni (Poland) [pl]
Oi dihasmenoi (Greece) [el]
Oskiljaktiga (Finland: Swedish title) [sv]
Una vez en la vida (Mexico) (cable TV title) [es]

Runtime:

116 min

Country:

Canada | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Portugal:M/16 | Iceland:16 | Italy:VM14 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Norway:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:18 | South Korea:18

Filming Locations:

Bell Trinity Square - 483 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Mantle Clinic II

Trivia:

During filming, Jeremy Irons kept track of whether he was playing Elliott or Beverley by always playing one with his weight on the balls of his feet and the other with his weight on his heels.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In a scene dated 1954, the twins seen are playing with The Visible Woman, Revell toy company's biological model of a woman that was not marketed until at least five years later.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Elliot, Age 9: You've heard about sex...
Beverly, Age 9: Sure I have.
Elliot, Age 9: Well I've discovered why sex is.
Beverly, Age 9: You have? Fantastic.
Raffaella: It's because humans don't live under water.
Beverly, Age 9: I don't get it.
Elliot, Age 9: Well, fish don't need sex because they just lay the eggs and fertilize them in the water. Humans can't do that because they don't live in the water. They have to - internalize the water. Therefore we have sex.
Beverly, Age 9: So you mean humans would have sex if they lived in the water?
Elliot, Age 9: Well they'd have a kind of sex. The kind where you wouldn't have to touch each other.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Mars Attacks! (1996)

Soundtrack:

In the Still of the Night (I'll Remember)

"Separation Can Be A Terrifying Thing"

Identical twin brothers Beverly and Elly Mantle are successful gynaecologists in Toronto. Their relationship is intense and very close - perhaps too close. The Mantles experiment with sex, drugs and personal identity, to the detriment of their practice, and ultimately of their psychological health.

This is a David Cronenberg film, so we are in the familiar realm of horror, mind games and perverted science. The director/producer/writer appears in the credits above the title and even ahead of his stars, Irons and Bujold. Essentially, the 'dead ringers' of the title are the brothers, who regard their mental and emotional oneness as being something more. They see themselves as siamese twins, bound by their flesh, and fated to share every experience, even unto death.

Irons does wonders to play two complex characters in one movie. A new technique called 'motion control' allows the actor to appear as two people in the same frame, but there is also plenty of the old 'body double' method, filming over a shoulder, then reversing the angle.

As teenage boys, the Mantle twins are clearly very bright, and display a precocious interest in surgery and women's reproductive apparatus. They are also creepy geeks. By the late 1980's they are handsome forty-somethings, and hailed as brilliant gynaecologists by everyone in the medical profession.

The screen actress Claire Niveau becomes Elliot's patient, and the brothers are soon sharing her. They frequently swap places without her knowledge. She has a unique uterus, and as Beverly (or is it Elliot?) explores this feature with his fingers, it is difficult to tell whether he is examining her or masturbating her. Before long, both brothers are doing both to Claire.

Elliot is a few minutes older than Beverly, microscopically taller and a nuance darker in colouring, but by nature he and 'baby brother' are utterly different. While Beverly is shy and diffident, Elliot is a callous, manipulative smoothie. When Claire, still unaware that she is sleeping with two men, expresses an interest in mild masochism, Beverly recoils but Elly enthusiastically obliges. He uses surgical tubes and clamps to tie Claire down for sex, and as he releases her after orgasm, we sense that for him the experience has been 'surgical' - almost a dispassionate experiment.

If Beverly is Jeckyll and Elliot is Hyde, we are always conscious that both personalities inhabit one awareness. "You haven't had any experience until I've had it too," Elliot tells Beverly, and the twins certainly seem to share everything, treating each other's patients (without telling the patients, of course) and working in tandem on research papers. The twins have a twin obsession in common - work and sex. Beverly sums it up with, "We do women - that's our speciality."

Identity is at the core of this film, and the dualities and ambiguities of personality recur with brain-teasing frequency. The twins are interested in female genitalia, both professionally and recreationally. Claire attracts them because of her dualities - she is a big personality who adopts other personas for her work: a strong woman who is turned on by being submissive: a gynaecological 'star' who happens to be infertile: and the French Canadian 'twin' to the English Canadian brothers. Elliot sleeps with two call-girls who are twin sisters, and identifies them by getting each to call him either 'Bev' or 'Elly'. The film has layer upon layer of these dualities. Genevieve Bujold is a French Canadian actress playing a French Canadian actress. We see her being made up for a movie, but when we see her left side, the make-up is of cuts and bruises. The Mantles prescribe drugs to each other, and each to himself, criss-crossing the doctor/patient demarcation lines. They take pills to cure their addiction to pills. Cary is having a relationship with Elliot, but when she gets both brothers at once, she is deeply aroused. The film, like the brothers, oscillates between oneness and separation. "I want to see you two together," says Claire, confused by their duality. So do we.