The Duellists
1977
"To the surprise and admiration of their fellows, two officers, like insane artists, trying to gild refined gold or paint the lily, pursued a private contest through the years of universal carnage." Thus wrote Joseph Conrad in the opening paragraphs of the story that provides the basis for Ridley Scott's first feature. During .. Read more
| Starring | Keith Carradine, Harvey Keitel, Edward Fox, Albert Finney |
|---|---|
| Director | Ridley Scott |
| Genres | Drama |
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The Duellists
"To the surprise and admiration of their fellows, two officers, like insane artists, trying to gild refined gold or paint the lily, pursued a private contest through the years of universal carnage." Thus wrote Joseph Conrad in the opening paragraphs of the story that provides the basis for Ridley Scott's first feature. During the era of the Napoleonic wars, a conflict arises between two of the emperor's cavalry officers when one of them, the aristocratic Lt. D'Hubert (Keith Carradine), is sent by his superior to deliver the message to commoner Lt. Ferraud (Harvey Keitel) that he's to be placed under house arrest for having wounded a man in another duel. Since Ferraud is with a woman at the time, he takes offense at the intrusion and challenges D'Hubert to a duel. Their match, though fierce, is without resolution. Whenever their paths cross, they continue their battle, fighting a series of six duels over the course of 14 years, paralleling Napoleon's major battles of the period. Scott's meditation focuses on the absurd vanity behind the old European code of honor--and the nature of warfare itself. All the distinguishing marks of Scott's later work is already on display here, from the meticulous re-creation of period costume, decor, and behavior to the lush, carefully composed photography.
| Starring | Keith Carradine, Harvey Keitel, Edward Fox, Albert Finney, Cristina Raines, Robert Stephens |
|---|---|
| Director | Ridley Scott |
| Studio | PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 36 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Dubbed | French, German, Italian, Spanish |
| Hearing-impaired | English |
| Subtitles | DVD: Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish |
| Released | DVD: 24 Mar 2003 Production year: 1977 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (2)
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Set against the heavyweight hostilities of the Napoleonic Wars, the small-time conflict of hussars Harvey Keitel and Keith Carradine — challenging each other over the years to a series of duels — might seem ludicrously beside the point. But Keitel's manic man of honour is a character whose chilling fixation says something about the wider conflict and humankind's need to struggle. This was director Ridley Scott's first feature after graduating from commercials, and it comes across as a coldly brilliant portrait of obsession.
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A singularly pointless anecdote; its main virtue is that it is coldly attractive to look at.
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Most helpful member's review
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8 out of 9 people found this review helpful
Beautiful but rather bland drama
'The Duellists' is set during the Napoleonic wars and follows two quarrelling French officers, determined to settle their feud with a duel to the death. Feraud(Harvey Keitel) is a quick-tempered character fighting duels at the slightest provocation. When D'Hubert(Keith Carradine) is sent to tell Feraud that the general is tired of his antics, Feraud takes offence and decides to challenge D'Hubert to a duel himself.
Over the course of the next two decades, the pair regularly meet to fight their duel although they seem to fight more out of a sense of duty or honour than a true desire to kill one another.
Ridley Scott's debut film is a gorgeous drama which never really overcomes the deficiencies at script level. Lacking any real narrative thrust, it deteriorates into a series of well-staged fights linked by a slight, almost incidental, story.
The film really fails at a human level, never allowing us to understand any more about these two characters than what appears at face value. Keitel gives an impressive performance as the obsessive Feraud and his fiery, intense display does much to flesh out his character. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for Carradine, who's stiff and awkward in his role.
However, character and story isn't the real point of 'The Duellists'. Scott creates a stunningly beautiful atmosphere in this film which he has rarely, if ever, bettered. Frank Tidy's cinematography is flawless and every shot is wonderfully composed. Howard Blake's sweeping score is also a significant advantage and the sets and costume design is first-rate.
But it's the fights that most viewers will watch this for, and what fights they are! Thrilling and brilliantly edited, each duel makes for marvellous entertainment.
But apart from those fights, 'The Duellists' never really sets the pulse racing. It's technically flawless but takes itself too seriously, and is too lacking in emotion to go down as a genuinely great film. You'll go away with a head full of dazzling imagery, but your heart will remain unmoved. -
Most recent members' review
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Cracking film well paced, great actors
A terrific film, fascinating plot, spread over many years with these two french soldiers fighting a duel every time they meet, only permitted when they hold the same rank. Lovely photography and very atmospheric. The two leads, Keith Carradine and Harvey Keitel are inspired casting.
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News and features
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Great Scott!
- 13 Nov 2008
Let's try to take the measure of Sir Ridley Scott, who might now be described as Britain's most senior filmmaker, an elder statesman who might be forgiven for putting his feet up and puffing on that favourite cigar in his Provencal retreat. Seventy years old, he's showing no signs of slowing down. In fact quite the opposite – he made ten films between 1977 (his debut, The Duellists) and 1997 (GI Jane), and he's about to embark on his ninth of the new millennium – Nottingham, with... Read more
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"To the surprise and admiration of their fellows, two officers, like insane artists, trying to gild refined gold or paint the lily, pursued a private contest through the years of universal carnage." ... -