The Duellists (1977)

100% of critics liked it
(14 reviews)
80% of users liked it
(5,410 ratings)

The Duellists is based on a story by Joseph Conrad, variously titled The Duel and The Point of Honour. Keith Carradine and Harvey Keitel play officers in Napoleon's army -- D'Hubert and Feraud, respectively -- who spend their off-hours challenging each other to bloody duels. This goes on for nearly… More The Duellists is based on a story by Joseph Conrad, variously titled The Duel and The Point of Honour. Keith Carradine and Harvey Keitel play officers in Napoleon's army -- D'Hubert and Feraud, respectively -- who spend their off-hours challenging each other to bloody duels. This goes on for nearly 16 years, with neither man showing any inclination of calling a truce. The final clash finds the gentlemanly D'Hubert getting the upper hand of the obsessed Feraud -- but that's not quite the end of the story. The Duellists was the debut feature for director Ridley Scott; it won the Cannes Film Festival prize for Best First Film. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Ridley Scott
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1977 Wide
On DVD: Dec 3, 2002

Critic Reviews

Sean Axmaker, Turner Classic Movies Online
Interiors are bathed in the golden light of candlelight and nostalgia, like a period painting in motion, while exteriors are wrapped in fog and mist.
Douglas Pratt, DVDLaser
the film improves with multiple screenings, as a viewer becomes less concerned about the outcome of each engagement, and more interested in the passion that is driving it.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
A magnífica fotografia, a bela direção de arte e as ótimas atuações se transformam em meros detalhes frente à impressionante estréia de Ridley Scott na direção de longas.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
The Duellists registers on the senses like a pointillist work of art, encouraging us to revel in its symmetry and relish its high regard for small details.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
the very beauty of the imagery ultimately works to the story's benefit, as it creates an ironic counterpoint to the irrationality of the ongoing feud

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Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

Quite a simple story of the complexities of mans obsessiveness and the ridiculous and futile notion of honour. Apart from a couple of dodgy accents, this is a fantastic film - The climax being notable a brilliant conclusion. Probably my joint second favourite Scott film along with… More
Quite a simple story of the complexities of mans obsessiveness and the ridiculous and futile notion of honour. Apart from a couple of dodgy accents, this is a fantastic film - The climax being notable a brilliant conclusion. Probably my joint second favourite Scott film along with Alien. Blade Runner still wins hands down.
Phil H

At the beginning I was growing alittle bored with this film, allot of talk and nothing much interesting at that, slowly you get a sense of the two main characters and who they are, what they want and there is the film. Two soldiers at each others throats through the Napoleonic era… More
At the beginning I was growing alittle bored with this film, allot of talk and nothing much interesting at that, slowly you get a sense of the two main characters and who they are, what they want and there is the film. Two soldiers at each others throats through the Napoleonic era from a simple silly cross of words, it sounds almost stupid but it shows great human emotion as you follow Carradines character and watch him grow tired and bored of the feud while Keitel is perfect as the egotistical and virtually combat obsessed Feraud who loves a good duel. With his quick temper and short fuse causing the main quibble and many others throughout the story you see both characters change and grow in terms of attitudes as well as looks and styles of the age. This is where we see Ridley Scott's attention to detail and his master of visual art, the film looks stunning all the way through, the costumes are pin point right down to the buttons on the men's tunic's, the sets are small but look fully authentic and the landscapes of Europe are sensational! How Scott got the shots as he wanted is beyond me because it looks as though he made a deal with God for some haha he must have waited some time for just the right weather. Whats more amazing is this was all done with no cgi assistance of course, its all very real which makes it even more impressive and shows just what you can do if you work hard and really really care about what your doing without simply relying on the lazy digital way out. You could never guess it was made 34 years ago now as it looks and plays just as well as any modern historical epic, the sword fights may be few but look perfectly realistic as if the men are really thinking what they're gonna do next to try and live, whats the next move here, no fancy over the top movements (love the way D'Hubert pauses just before the start of one duel to simply sneeze, intended or not I don't know but its alittle something that just makes the moment more real). Seeing as it was Ridley Scott's first film its a hell of start and really doesn't seem like it a tall. Only thing I could say is the film makes you wanna see more of the history going on around them but you don't really see anything, its tantalising and hints at it making you want more, not a bad observation of course.
Stella D

it's wonderfully photographed but the story is a bit lacking and the american actors aren't helping with suspension of disbelief. i love harvey keitel but he just can't do everything
Tim S

An absolutely gorgeous film with a nice evocative storyline. The pace of the film, however, seems to be sorely lacking, but I don't think it's the editor's or even Ridely's fault. The story deemed that it be told slowly. I really enjoyed seeing what Ridley got… More
An absolutely gorgeous film with a nice evocative storyline. The pace of the film, however, seems to be sorely lacking, but I don't think it's the editor's or even Ridely's fault. The story deemed that it be told slowly. I really enjoyed seeing what Ridley got to do with his first feature. An extraordinary film.
Mike S

Quite good, especially considering the fact that this movie marked Ridley Scott's debut as a film director. Part from Harvey Keitel, most of the actors were pretty unknown to me, but I think that just made it better, since it gave the story a more genuine feel. Also, like in most… More
Quite good, especially considering the fact that this movie marked Ridley Scott's debut as a film director. Part from Harvey Keitel, most of the actors were pretty unknown to me, but I think that just made it better, since it gave the story a more genuine feel. Also, like in most of Scott's films, The Duellists featured commendable acting and writing, all set within an exciting period in history that I can't help but ever be fascinated by.
xGary X

Beautifully shot study of obsession that oozes period detail. A little lacking in plot, but a nice idea, well executed.
Eric B

Great-looking but insufferably dull film which is just about ruined by the most horrid casting that I can recall. Harvey Keitel as a stuffy French officer is bad enough, but...KEITH CARRADINE?
Marion R

Drawn out to the point of boredom.
Robert F

If there had have been less duelling and more plot, I may have given this film a higher rating.
Christopher B

My favourite Scott film (yes, more than Blade Runner) has Carradine spending his life facing duels with the previously insulted Keitel. A story about what is honour and responsibility, and also examines what it takes to be a man. A masterpiece.