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The Duellists

Play trailer Poster for The Duellists PG 1977 1h 41m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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74% Tomatometer 62 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Armand d'Hubert (Keith Carradine) and Gabriel Féraud (Harvey Keitel) are French soldiers under Napoleon. A trivial quarrel between d'Hubert and Féraud escalates into a lifelong grudge, and, as war rages on, the officers repeatedly challenge one another to violent sword and pistol duels. After 15 years, both men have distinguished themselves through their service and become generals, however, their mutual hatred never ceases, even when the initial cause of their rivalry is forgotten.
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The Duellists

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Critics Consensus

Rich, stylized visuals work with effective performances in Ridley Scott's take on Joseph Conrad's Napoleonic story, resulting in an impressive feature film debut for the director.

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Critics Reviews

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John Stanley San Francisco Chronicle A forgotten masterpiece. Rated: 4/4 Sep 18, 2025 Full Review Rex Reed New York Daily News Rarely have I seen a movie so drenched in persuasive style and ambience soar so brilliantly above its trappings to emerge as a first-rate, captivating entertainment. Nov 21, 2023 Full Review Charles Champlin Los Angeles Times [Ridley Scott's] strength is visual and his genius is economy. The Duellists is said to have cost well under $2 million, but it has every millimeter the same feeling of period that Barry Lyndon had with more pace and vitality. Nov 21, 2023 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy The all-American duo of Carradine and Keitel is rather incongruous in this decidedly European production, but the actors acquit themselves well enough. Rated: 3/4 Apr 10, 2024 Full Review Russell Davies Daily Mail (UK) Scott's film is a success. It is also something of an oddity. Nov 21, 2023 Full Review Arthur Thirkell Daily Mirror (UK) The Duellists is that cinema rarity -- a superbly-acted adventure epic boasting an intelligent script and marvellous photography of setting which seem to have been painted by Old Masters. Nov 21, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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thiago s Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 09/15/25 Full Review Grant R A brilliant, beautiful and riveting film set in Napoleonic times. Showcases Ridley Scott at his best and absolute proof that budget and special effects mean little in a great movie. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/06/25 Full Review Anthony J A visual masterpiece. That is enough. The plot and the acting are almost secondary. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/04/25 Full Review Ian S Recently revisited this film after tiring of the big blockbusters currently on release. This is pretty much a perfect film in every sense, story, characterisation, cinematography, scene, costume, sword fighting, etc. I also like fact the actors didn't try put on any accent, it allows them and the viewer to focus on the story. I think this bests Barry Lyndon (Kubrick) in its pacing and duration, so holds interest. Brilliant. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/17/24 Full Review Thomas S Keitel is brilliant as the bad sort Feraud and Carradine equally so as the put-upon D’Hubert. A brilliant historical and atmospheric debut by Ridley Scott Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/11/24 Full Review JOHN O Excellent direction, cinematography, score and in every other aspect portends Ridley Scott's rise to greatness. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/12/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Ridley Scott

Director

Keith Carradine

D'Hubert

Harvey Keitel

Feraud

Albert Finney

Fouche

Edward Fox

Colonel

Cristina Raines

Adele

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The Duellists

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Movie Info

Synopsis Armand d'Hubert (Keith Carradine) and Gabriel Féraud (Harvey Keitel) are French soldiers under Napoleon. A trivial quarrel between d'Hubert and Féraud escalates into a lifelong grudge, and, as war rages on, the officers repeatedly challenge one another to violent sword and pistol duels. After 15 years, both men have distinguished themselves through their service and become generals, however, their mutual hatred never ceases, even when the initial cause of their rivalry is forgotten.
Director
Ridley Scott
Producer
David Puttnam
Screenwriter
Gerald Vaughan-Hughes, Joseph Conrad
Production Co
Scott Free Productions, Paranoid Pictures, Enigma Productions
Rating
PG
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 1, 2013
Runtime
1h 41m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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