Duel

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Garry A This thriller did an excellent job of creating palatable suspense. My stomach was in knots. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/29/25 Full Review Trevor M I went into Duel (1973) knowing almost nothing about it—only that it was Spielberg’s first film. After watching it, I realized it’s the kind of movie that defies spoilers. Its strength lies in its simplicity, which is apparent from the very beginning (and even the poster, which arguably gives away a lot). At its core, Duel is a razor-sharp meditation on masculinity, and more specifically, emasculation. The film opens with a wry radio segment about a man struggling with not being the “head of the household” because his wife is the breadwinner. This sentiment is mirrored by the protagonist—literally named Mann—who confesses feeling the same emasculation. He later apologizes to his wife for failing to defend her during a disturbing incident at a party, highlighting his passive role in his own life. This sets the stage for a brutal and symbolic confrontation: man vs. truck, masculinity vs. emasculation. The film unfolds as an escalating series of encounters between Mann and a massive, anonymous truck. The truck, never fully revealing its driver, becomes a monstrous, almost supernatural presence. It stalks Mann with a growing hostility, reminiscent of the shark in Jaws—a clear precursor in Spielberg’s directing style. The way it's shot and the use of sound are masterful, giving the truck a terrifying personality of its own. What’s most impressive is how the film avoids the common pitfalls of the thriller genre. Rather than relying on contrived obstacles—like losing cell service or forgetting a phone—Duel organically removes Mann’s options through the truck’s aggressive, intelligent behavior. He can’t pass it, can’t follow it, and even when he gets ahead, the truck catches up. Attempts to call for help are crushed—literally—and pleas to bystanders are met with more danger. Every move the truck makes isolates Mann further, driving him toward psychological breakdown and a final confrontation. Where lesser films might falter under logistical questions (“How can a truck move that fast?” “Why is it always one step ahead?”), Duel smartly defuses them. Spielberg has Mann ask these very questions aloud, giving voice to the audience’s doubts without needing to answer them. This clever tactic grounds the movie’s surreal intensity in emotional realism. Mann isn’t a superhero or elite driver—he’s an ordinary businessman with average skills, which makes his struggle all the more relatable. The film emphasizes this through shaky, in-car camera work that amplifies the tension of every curve and near-collision. His desperation and fear feel authentic, thanks to strong acting and Spielberg’s visceral direction. The ending arrives abruptly—no epilogue, no resolutions to Mann’s personal life—but that’s the point. It doesn’t matter if he gets to his meeting or fixes his marriage. What matters is that he finally stood up for himself. As he sits on the cliff’s edge, bloodied and exhausted, staring into the sunset, we understand that he’s reclaimed something essential. Duel is brilliantly simple, from its sparse cast and minimal music to its single-thread plot. But that simplicity is precisely what makes it so effective. It’s proof that with talent, a clear vision, and a camera, you can create something unforgettable. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/29/25 Full Review Audience Member This movie was so much better than I ever could have anticipated. I especially love the soundtrack. That crazy music that comes right out of a music hall fits David Mann’s character so well, and his descent into madness was depicted wonderfully. Wonderful Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/06/25 Full Review William C A thoroughly enjoyable film!!! We never really see the driver that much, which makes the truck even more menacing!!! Watch this with Spielberg's spiritual successor, "Jaws"!!! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/31/25 Full Review Michael C Steven Spielberg started off his career of directing full length movies on the right note. "Duel" is a very well made and compelling movie. You usually do not see made for television movies as good as "Duel". More than five decades after its release, it has definitely stood the test of time. The late Dennis Weaver is terrific as David Mann, a travelling salesman who suddenly becomes the target of a psychotic truck driver. The scenes on the California highway are very well filmed. My only criticisms of "Duel" are some formulaic scenes. The scene in the diner for example when David confronts the man who he thinks is the driver of the diesel truck that has been terrorizing him. It could not have been more obvious that David was confronting the wrong man. There are a few other such scenes where David Mann tries to convince people he has encountered about the truck driver and it could not have been more obvious from the beginning, they would not believe him and think he is just crazy. The good thing is these aforementioned flaws does not take away from the overall enjoyment of "Duel". The movie will definitely make you think twice about passing the truck you are stuck behind on the highway. Drive carefully and enjoy "Duel" as soon as you can. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 06/23/25 Full Review babarizam D Its an alright film. I prefer The Hitcher over this one though Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 04/02/25 Full Review Read all reviews

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