The Duellists (1977)

Release date: 1978-01-01
Country: UK
Language: English|Russian
Director: Ridley Scott
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Enigma Productions, Scott Free Enterprises
Genre: War, Drama
Rating: 7.4/10
Length: 1h 40min

Storyline

Set during the grand, sweeping Napoleonic age, an officer in the French army insults another officer and sets off a life-long enmity. The two officers, D'Hubert and Feraud, cross swords time and time again in an attempt to achieve justice and preserve their honor.

Plot Keywords

1800s, swordsman, fencing, directorial debut, honor, france, 1810s, duel, military officer, 19th century, based on short story, reference to napoleon, pistol duel, grudge, feud, messenger, bachelor, frozen corpse, frozen body, marriage proposal

Short Review

Scott gets strong performances from his supporting cast (Quick is sensual and effective) and is able to salvage the movie through the alchemy of the striking visuals.