The Duellists

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The Duellists

PG

1977

1h 41m

History

Drama

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Popcornmeter

74%

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61 Reviews

83%

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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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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

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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

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Derek Malcolm

Guardian

If it is sometimes irritating and occasionally hollow, The Duellists remains a very viewable achievement.

Nov 21, 2023

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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

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Russell Davies

Daily Mail (UK)

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

Nov 21, 2023

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Debora S

Young Ridley Scott's underrated, barely known MASTERPIECE

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/07/23

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Olivia Y

Mesmerising, haunting, thought provoking and stunning. The point is, this can be applied to the stupidity of all human conflict, that's why it's good.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/30/23

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Shioka O

I watched this because the Ridley Scott's first feature film. Less entertaining than his later works, but production quality is already high. Personally a period film is not my cup of tea and didn't enjoy so much, but it's obvious that this proved he is a great artistic/technical director. This is from 1977! Outstanding beauty.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/20/22

Full Review

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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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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: Paranoid Pictures, Scott Free Productions, 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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