Duel

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Duel

TV-PG

1971

1h 35m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

46 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

David Mann (Dennis Weaver), a mild mannered electronics salesman, is driving cross-country on a two-lane highway when he encounters an old oil tanker driven by an unseen driver who seems to enjoy annoying him with dangerous antics on the road. Unable to escape the demonic big rig, David finds himself in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the monstrous truck. When the pursuit escalates to deadly levels, David must summon his inner warrior and turn the tables on his tormentor.

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Critics Consensus

Duel makes brilliant use of its simple premise, serving up rock-solid genre thrills while heralding the arrival of a generational talent behind the lens.

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Mitchell Beaupre

Little White Lies

This is a film stripped back to its bare essentials, and Spielberg thrives in having to get creative to make each moment feel as fresh and energised as the last.

Rated: 4.5/5

Sep 22, 2022

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Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

A shoestring marvel.

Rated: 4/5

May 29, 2021

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Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

This simple premise -- a killer truck stalks a driver -- becomes the basis for an exceptionally fraught and well- made suspense film.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 14, 2018

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William Stottor

Loud and Clear Reviews

Duel is one hell of a ride and Spielberg at his finest—playful, refined and above all else, entertaining.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 11, 2024

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Duel might not have meant much at the time of its ABC premiere but cinephiles owe a lot to the film because it launched Steven Spielberg's professional career as a feature filmmaker.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 23, 2022

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Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

Famous for being Spielberg's first big break, it deserves to be remembered better in its own right.

Rated: 8/10

Jan 26, 2021

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Austen B

car good, truck bad. awesome! favorite thriller.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/16/24

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Jacob B

While I do think it's obvious that this is still a first attempt at a proper feature film with the similar-in-spirit Jaws being much more refined, Steven Spielberg still made a good impression with Duel. It's suspenseful, tense and likely to cause paranoia about giant trucks. I think the sense of isolation adds to it. I have a feeling I would've liked the film much more if I saw the original made-for-TV version rather than the theatrical version, which adds 14 minutes of additional footage. It blends in well with the rest of the film but I can't help but wonder if the tension was stronger without a scene where the protagonist has to help push a school bus. Still a good, memorable thriller but not the immediate masterpiece some make it out to be, even if it is important for helping put Steven Spielberg's name on the map 4 years before Jaws permanently established him as a force to be reckoned with.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/12/24

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Jay H

A great television film, directed by some guy named Spielberg.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/04/24

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Mark M

Great Thriller. Definitely Recommend.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/29/24

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Ryland C

As a massive fan of Steven Spielberg and his work, Duel, is no exception. Of course I have to give this movie some respect because after all, this is Steven Spielberg very first movie he ever made and it surprisingly still holds up to this day! It’s just entertaining from beginning to end! There was never a dull moment and I’m always invested on what this random evil truck driver is gonna do next. Easily one of my favorite Steven Spielberg movies and a fantastic start to his filmography. 🤩

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/21/24

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Liz R

It's riveting. I liked the fact that the car driver was an unattractive character - impatient and bad tempered. It made it easier to watch the movie more dispassionately than if I really cared about him. I don't think I'd have minded too much if the truck had got him! However, the end was awesome.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/21/24

Full Review

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Steven Spielberg

Director

Dennis Weaver

David Mann

Tim Herbert

Gas Station Attendant

Charles Seel

Old Man

Eddie Firestone

Cafe Owner

Shirley O'Hara

Waitress

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Synopsis

David Mann (Dennis Weaver), a mild mannered electronics salesman, is driving cross-country on a two-lane highway when he encounters an old oil tanker driven by an unseen driver who seems to enjoy annoying him with dangerous antics on the road. Unable to escape the demonic big rig, David finds himself in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the monstrous truck. When the pursuit escalates to deadly levels, David must summon his inner warrior and turn the tables on his tormentor.

Director: Steven Spielberg
Producer: George Eckstein
Screenwriter: Richard Matheson
Production Co: Universal TV
Rating: TV-PG (L), PG
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2015
Runtime: 1h 35m

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