Back home

The Duellists

604 votes

In 1800, as Napoleon Bonaparte rises to power in France, a rivalry erupts between Armand and Gabriel, two lieutenants in the French Army, over a perceived insult. For over a decade, they engage in a series of duels amidst larger conflicts, including the failed French invasion of Russia in 1812, and shifts in the political and social systems of Europe.

Status: Released

Released Date: 1977-08-31

Runtime: 100 mins

Director: Ridley Scott

Spoken language: English, Pусский

Genres: Drama, War

Original title: The Duellists

Production Companies: Enigma Productions, Paramount Pictures, Scott Free Productions, National Film Finance Corporation (NFFC)

Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States of America

Cast

Keith Carradine

Harvey Keitel

Albert Finney

Edward Fox

Cristina Raines

Brigadier-General Treillard

Robert Stephens

Tom Conti

John McEnery

Diana Quick

Alun Armstrong

Maurice Colbourne

Gay Hamilton

Meg Wynn Owen

Jenny Runacre

Reviews

Geronimo1967

After what can only be described as the most minor of misunderstandings, the decent "d'Hubert" (Keith Carradine) is forced to duel with the hot-tempered "Feraud" (Harvey Keitel). That ends inconclusively and now the narrative leads us through a series of re-matches set against a tale of their trials and tribulations during the rise and fall of Napoleon in early 1800s France. Joseph Conrad wrote a characterful story and Ridley Scott makes full use of that with a focused, frequency pithy and entertaining, dialogue and two measured and engaging leading performances with plenty of entertaining swordplay. The supporting cast is as A-list as you're ever likely to get in a non-romantic period drama. Albert Finney and Edward Fox, Tom Conti and an on form Robert Stephens as well Cristina Raines' charming effort as "Adèle" contribute well. All are dressed perfectly amidst settings that suit this gritty and battle-worn story perfectly, too. It's a cunningly devised theme, this - it has the obvious storyline, but also takes well aimed swipes at pomposity, the futility of war, and the stupidity of man - all in a manner that resonates cleverly, even now. It was clearly produced on a limited budget, which is apparent from time to time with the continuity (never one of Scott's strong suits) or with some overused extras amongst the soldiers - but, overall, it is a testament to what can be done in a relatively short film, with a good story and cast and some creative leadership behind the camera.

2022-06-23

Recommendations

2.6

Sven Tuuva the Hero

1958-12-19

For six hundred years Sweden had controlled most of Finland until the war with Russia that ended in

1.8

Záchvěv strachu

1984-04-01

Getting out of prison doesn't mean being free. After the bloody suppression of the Prague Revolution

Hriech Kataríny Padychovej

1973-01-01

Štefan Padych loses a lawsuit against Šulgan, a local innkeeper to whom he owes money. Not wanting h

There Will Be Blood

2007-12-26

Ruthless silver miner, turned oil prospector, Daniel Plainview, moves to oil-rich California. Using

Where Seldom is Heard

2024-01-29

Set in the frigid prairies and woodlands of the 19th century, a young hunter struggles to survive af

3.4

Velvet Goldmine

1998-08-28

Almost a decade since larger-than-life glam-rock enigma Brian Slade disappeared from public eye, an

3.1

Eiffel

2021-10-07

The French government is asking Gustave Eiffel to design something spectacular for the 1889 Paris Wo

The Dynamite Watcher

1963-10-04

Three separate short stories by Jan Drda from the collection The Dumb Barricade: The Dynamite Watchm

3.4

The Big Trail

1930-11-01

Young scout Breck Coleman leads a wagon train along the dangerous trail to Oregon as he tries to get

The Way West

1967-05-24

In the mid-19th century, Senator William J. Tadlock leads a group of settlers overland in a quest to

2.4

Oliver Twist

1933-02-28

When 9-year-old orphan Oliver Twist dares to ask his cruel taskmaster, Mr. Bumble, for a second serv

3.6

Senso

1954-03-25

A troubled and neurotic Italian Countess betrays her entire country for a self-destructive love affa

Mŕtve oči

1972-09-29

Television film, based on Rudolf Jašík's novel of the same name, tells the story of a blind boy reje

3.3

H.M.S. Defiant

1962-04-15

Defiant's crew is part of a fleet-wide movement to present a petition of grievances to the Admiralty

3.2

Taras Bulba

1962-11-21

Ukraine, 16th century. While the Poles dominate the Cossack steppes, Andrei, son of Taras Bulba, a C

2.9

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

1960-07-21

From chicken thief to cabin boy, riverboat pilot to circus performer, Huck Finn outsmarts everyone o

True History of the Kelly Gang

2019-11-23

Set against the badlands of Australia where the English rule with a bloody fist and the Irish endure

Prelietavka

1972-05-10

Saša

1983-01-01

The Demise of Paľo Ročka

1985-01-01

A television production based on Bozena Slančíková-Timrava's short stories about social and moral co