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Duellists, The [1977]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

One of the great directorial debuts, Ridley Scott's The Duellists is an extraordinary achievement which weaves an epic-in-miniature set around the edges of the Napoleonic Wars. Based on a story by Joseph Conrad, in turn inspired by real events and filmed in part where those events took place, this is the tale of a 15-year conflict between two French army officers: the level-headed Armand D'Hubert (Keith Carradine) and the obsessive Gabriel Feraud (Harvey Keitel). Each time they meet they duel, until the original purpose of the conflict is all but lost. Beyond the two American stars, who fill their roles with rare commitment--accents not withstanding--Scott assembled a stellar cast: Albert Finney, Edward Fox, Pete Postlethwaite, Diana Quick, Cristina Raines, Robert Stephens, Tom Conti, John McEnery, Maurice Colbourne and Jenny Runacre.

The production values are astonishing and the film revels in the exquisite painterly visuals which have become a Scott trademark. Howard Blake's elegiac theme adds immeasurably to the impact of a film influenced by Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon (1974), and anticipating Scott's own Best Picture Oscar-winning Gladiator (2000). A haunting work of spectral beauty, it is also a worthy companion to Scott's shamefully neglected 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992).

On the DVD: The Duellists is transferred at 1.77:1 with full sound atmospherically remixed in Dolby Digital 5.1. A new 29-minute documentary finds Scott discussing The Duellists with Kevin (Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves) Reynolds, which is particularly enlightening given the relative merits of the two swashbucklers. Scott's absorbing commentary track provides an in-depth look into the film-making process. Equally, film music aficionados will be delighted to find not just an isolated music track, but an informative commentary by composer Howard Blake, though he does sometimes talk over the beginning or end of cues. Most unusual but very welcome is the inclusion of Scott's first short film, Boy and Bicycle (1965), a 25-minute b/w mood piece starring Tony Scott, with music by John Barry. Other extras are a storyboard-to-screen comparison, the American trailer and four galleries of posters, stills and production photos. --Gary S Dalkin


HIGHLY STYLISED BUT SATISFYING
Review date: 2008-09-21 Rating: 10 out of 10

This was Ridley Scott's first movie and it won him an award at Cannes too ,with a great cast including Harvey keitel ,Keith carradine ,Edward fox and many more ,he had a great oppurtunity and he did not waste it for sure .
There are obvious flaws in this really glossy look at eighteenth century europe where two maniacs duel with swords and pistols in every corner of europe from Marseilles to Lubeck over a period extending to almost two decades.

Scott lights every corner and bush with a candle light or luminous mist to make this almost a romantic painting by Fragonard or Delacroix-but ultimately the 2 actors rescue him from turning the script into a stylised monstrosity-though only by a slight margin itself.

Both Carradine and Keitel are magical and underplay their parts to perfection as the enemies sworn to put honour before life,they are excessive in both their zeal and passion appropriately unlike the script which is subtle at times and very pretentious intermittently .

The Napoleonic russian debacle is very well staged and is the best part of the story as the characters behave according to logical restraints .

Women are rather appendages and treated as accessories almost like the fobs and cravats and the wigs that the menfolk wear in the glossy adventure .

Scott has an overdone visual sense which he corrected later in blade runner but this is a good debut nevertheless and is still quite an eyeful to look at with the french castles and lush country woodland visualised in every light composition possible to conceive by human mind.

USMAN KHAWAJA
- jbz7879

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Reviews


A classic
Review date: 2008-06-26 Rating: 10 out of 10

Great story, acting, and direction. And to my mind the end shot, when combined with the haunting soundtrack, is the most beautiful ever to have been comitted to film - imo.

Superior filmmaking
Review date: 2007-02-28 Rating: 10 out of 10

I watched this many years ago on BBC2 and found it a fleeting curiosity (being quite young and believing there would be more battles etc. I expected more). However, I've just watched it again (on a very big screen) and reappraised what a gem this actually is. Scott's direction is assured and each frame drips with shadow and washed out colours, like a faded painting of the era. The characters are little clichéd in places, but their motivations are interesting and their constant collisions resulting in duels are suspenseful and exciting. I watched this not long after Barry Lyndon, and must say The Duellists is a superior film.
Picture: 5 of 5
Sound: 4 of 5
Extras: 2 of 5


Brillant cult
Review date: 2006-04-15 Rating: 10 out of 10

As a child I saw this remarkable movie on TV, and I remember thinking: WHAT am I witnessing? Like with all great art you simply can not believe what is being opened so generously before your eyes. This DVD Special Edition gives me a lot of answers to questions I never got the opportunity to ask. One thing is the lavish and extremely well-constructed film itself and the eternal questions it rises, another thing is to hear Sir Ridley Scotts wonderful commentary. Ranging from the locations chosen (and why), to useful experiences from the advertising business, to who made what and why on the set (a delayed thank-you to the original crew), to the inspiration from 19th century painters, and when to listen to your instinct in the process of filming. The Duellists, you find out, was blessed with unpredictable as well as totally planned beauty and meaning.It is also an intricate look into Scotts way of working to be able to compare the original storyboarding sketches with the actual shot from the film.
Sir Ridley Scotts first short-film, Boy and Bicycle, from the sixties, is a wonderful freewheelin' bonus, as well. And The Boy in that film is acted by his brother, later-to-be director Tony Scott!What a cameo.
All in all this Special Edition gives you the opportunity to get behind the scenes of the film, and actually feel quite close to the person and craftsman Sir Ridley Scott, looking back. He may have seemed to have become a somewhat blockbuster-fixed mastermind, but, remember, he is a visionary, a storyteller. And a highly focused artist of the finest quality. And as such: Always a head of his time.

Attractive movie experience
Review date: 2005-05-17 Rating: 8 out of 10

This film falls beautifully on the eye, seductive photography and meticulous detail provide an attractive movie experience. Accepting the title I could not empathise with the 2 central characters, duelling must be a "man thing". The bonus short film, Boy and Bicycle, is a treasure even social documentary that has greatly inspired me. Scott's visual artistry is evident albeit innocent and unpolluted by commercial formula. Any aspiring film maker must see this short.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Edward Fox
Albert Finney
Harvey Keitel
Cristina Raines
Keith Carradine

Creators:
Keith Carradine (Primary Contributor)
Harvey Keitel (Primary Contributor)
Frank Tidy (Cinematographer)
Pamela Power (Editor)
David Puttnam (Producer)
Ivor Powell (Producer)
Gerald Vaughan-Hughes (Writer)
Joseph Conrad (Writer)

Director(s):

Recording label: Paramount Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Entertainment
EAN: 5014437828439
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2003-03-24
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 96 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1978-05-19
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: Russian (Original Language)

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