The Two Seals: A Dusty Old Switcheroo

Is it worth your time?

Honestly, you probably shouldn't bother unless you have a weird itch for old European comedy or just really love seeing people with handlebar mustaches pretend to be someone else. If you like fast-paced modern editing, this is going to feel like wading through molasses. If you like old-school theater antics, you might get a kick out of it.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of The Two Seals (1934) through its definitive frames.

The whole premise of The Two Seals is essentially: what if the guy in charge just got tired of being told what to do? So, he swaps places with his twin. Classic, right? Except it’s executed with the grace of a brick.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of The Two Seals (1934) through its definitive frames.

I found myself staring at the background extras more than the main actors. There’s this one scene in the palace courtyard where a guy is just… standing there holding a tray. He doesn't move for like three full minutes. I started wondering if he forgot he was on camera or if he was just having a really bad day.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of The Two Seals (1934) through its definitive frames.

Franz Stein has to play both brothers, and you can tell he’s having fun with it, even if the transitions between the two characters are a bit jerky. There’s a scene where he’s arguing with himself in a mirror, and the camera work is just clunky. It’s not even trying to be seamless. It’s just like, "Here’s the left side, now here’s the right side."

It’s not as sharp as The Wise Cracker, which manages to land its jokes without feeling like it's begging you to laugh. This movie? It’s a bit desperate.

Some odd notes:

• The mustaches. Seriously, everyone in this movie looks like they’re competing for the same prize.
• The pacing goes from "snoozefest" to "wait, what just happened?" in the blink of an eye.
• There’s a bit with a hunting horn that goes on for way too long. I think the sound guy just fell asleep on the track.
• The dialogue feels like it was written by someone who had never actually spoken to another human being.

It reminds me a bit of the stuffy vibe you get in Monsieur Lecoq, but without the mystery to hold your attention. You know exactly what’s going to happen next, but you keep watching just to see how awkward the realization scene is going to be.

It’s not a good movie by any stretch, but it’s weirdly watchable if you just turn your brain off. Don't look for deep meaning. Just look at the mustaches. 🧐