The Duellists

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The Duellists

PG

1977

1h 41m

History

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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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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John Stanley

San Francisco Chronicle

Sep 18

4/4

A forgotten masterpiece.

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Rex Reed

New York Daily News

11/21/2023

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.

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Charles Champlin

Los Angeles Times

11/21/2023

[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.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

04/10/2024

3/4

The all-American duo of Carradine and Keitel is rather incongruous in this decidedly European production, but the actors acquit themselves well enough.

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Russell Davies

Daily Mail (UK)

11/21/2023

Scott's film is a success. It is also something of an oddity.

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Arthur Thirkell

Daily Mirror (UK)

11/21/2023

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.

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Robert L.

@bobdaboss Nov 14

Strife without reason. Quarrel pursued for its own sake. Only death will satisfy honor. Ridley Scott makes his directorial debut with Proverbs 20:3 as the entire plot (I made that up but it’s accurate). Simple, yet powerful.

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thiago s

@Thiagostone Sep 15

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

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Grant R

@RT85977920 May 6

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.

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Anthony J

@jenkinsdraws 04/04/2025

A visual masterpiece. That is enough. The plot and the acting are almost secondary.

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Ian S

@RT47839117 12/17/2024

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.

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Thomas S

@RT38038238 06/11/2024

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

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Ridley Scott

Director

Keith Carradine

D'Hubert

Harvey Keitel

Feraud

Albert Finney

Fouche

Edward Fox

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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)