The Duellists (1977)

[Freddy]

This was Ridley Scott's first film, done a small budget, based on the book by Joseph Conrad (The Duel).
At 100 minutes long it depicts the duels between two french officers, D'Hubert played by Keith Carradine and Feraud played by Harvey Keital.

Set during the Napoleonic Wars, an order given to D'Hubert to hand to Feraud begins the series of duels which are burdensome to D'Hubert but life giving to Feraud.It is these duels, matters of honour which are the chapters in their lives. It shows the common humanity of D'Hubert and the relentless, dogged pursuit of Feraud in righting his perceived wrong.
Partly narrated by Stacey Keach, these are the only three American actors in the film.
The British actors include Tom Conti, Albert Finney, Edward Fox, Diane Quick, Peter Postlethwaite, Alun Armstrong, Liz Smith and Robert Stephens. That you will agree is one fine stable of talent.

The script is by Gerald Vaughan-Hughes and the cinematography is by Frank Tidy and this is where the film for me stands head and shoulders above everything else. It is like watching a moving oil painting, the lighting, colour and mood of place just make you sink into the film, it carries you into the script and narration, and in these days of computer enhanced images which IMHO are never very good(Gladiatior apart) it is a joy.
It won the Palm D'or of that year, I lent the video to a friend who watched it twice in one afternoon. Two other films which are similar in style are Barry Lyndon and Joseph Andrews.

regards
Freddy

[dogstar]

Went to the press showing of this back in the days when I was a student hack. I enjoyed it very much, mostly from a visual point of view. You are spot on when you say it looks like a moving oil painting - at the time I don't think I had seen anything to compare with it in terms of its cinematography. Content-wise its a slight piece and I have to say I didn't think the central story held up over feature film length but it is well-acted by all concerned ( not least by its two American stars ) and is never less than ravishing to look at. A shame it never seems to be on TV.

[NathanC]

I really enjoyed The Duellists. As a Napoleonic enthusiast I found the film to be immensely enjoyable even though it was low-budget. Ridley Scott hails from the same town as I do, so the film has an extra special bond with me.

One thing I never quite grasped was - What exactly started the fifteen-year long series of duels between the two main characters?

[Freddy]

Originally Posted by NathanC One thing I never quite grasped was - What exactly started the fifteen-year long series of duels between the two main characters?

Feraud is a bully and enjoys duelling. He is also ardent Bonapartist where D'Hubert is simply a soldier doing his duty. I think Feraud felt that D'Hubert was a lackey and when he presented himself at Mme. de Lionne's house with orders for him to return to his barracks he showed disrespect. Also Feraud imagined an insult made by D'Hubert against Napoleon.

Regards

Freddy

[silverwhistle]

A superb film: Scott has done few things as good since. Richard Holmes was military adviser on it, too.

[christoph404]

The cast and crew came to Scotland to film the winter snow scenes near Aviemore! I think Harvey Kietel must like Scotland, he visited again to make the feature film "Deathwatch" on the mean streets of Glasgow!.....

[dremble wedge]

Originally Posted by Freddy It won the Palm D'or of that year

It's a tremendous film but Padre Padrone won the Palme d'Or in 1977.

The Duellists won the prize for best debut film at Cannes that year.

In the doc accompanying the DVD Scott says that he wanted to cast Michael York and Oliver Reed as the protagonists but the studio insisted on American stars.

Carradine and Keitel were very good though...

[Freddy]

Cheers Dremble

Freddy

[cbig]

Brilliant film.My favourite.Some of the early morning shots look like watercolours.Superb.Speaking as a horseman Harvey Kietel doesn't look to clever a rider though! But I'll forgive him that.