The Duellists Film Review

So, to start with, we have Ridley Scott’s first feature with The Duellists. Based on the short story “The Duel” by Joseph Conrad, who also notably wrote Heart of Darkness and which became loosely adapted by Francis Ford Coppola with Apocalypse Now. The Duellists released in 1977, I think the best way to describe the film in one direction is that it works as a substantial template project for Ridley Scott. This debut feature contains elements that would become synonymous with future films we’ve that we’ve come to associate him with and respect him for over the years.

Whether it’s the overall style or performances, this film strongly resonates with his other body of work. The story itself is about two French soldiers, under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte and is played by Keith Carradine & Harvey Keitel. Both of whom are locked in a sword duel that consumes a good chunk of their lives, and it's all often surrounded by striking visual features. The scenery of the film is downbeat and surrounded by fog, with interior scenes that are Shot with light reflections. Which mirror similarly to Kubrick’s shooting of candlelight in his film Barry Lyndon – which can be compared to this film too style-wise.

The two leads are especially good, with Harvey Keitel effectively playing the hot-headed And obsessive soldier Gabriel Feraud. Who follows Carradine’s soldier Armand d’Hubert to the ends of the earth to take him down in an elongated fight which began over a command dispute. Keith Carradine successfully portrays d’Hubert as proud, stubborn and bound by honour to continue the fight, even when he has a family and a position in high society at risk. Clearly showcasing Ridley Scott’s knack for writing strong but personally flawed characters.

The style of the film and portrayal of flawed but strong characters are noticeable in his other work like Blade Runner for one example. However, as a first film goes, it’s an outstanding film that stands on its own. The sword choreography is exceptionally well put together, brilliantly heightening the tension. Especially when Scott cuts between flashes of confrontation between the characters from other scenes, with one view that has the two soldiers charging at each other on horseback. The film can have a slow pace when the leads aren’t engaging in swordplay. It takes its time to establish other characters and their relationship with the main characters. Such as, with d’Hubert’s newly married, aristocratic wife and the Brigadier-General played by Robert Stephens, who keeps a stern on eye on d’Hubert and his dispute with Feraud. 

But this does not make the film drag. This instead allows the audience to experience the inner turmoil and disconnection that both the main characters endure. A duel that has consumed them over a long period. Especially enjoyable is a performance from the recently passed Albert Finney playing the Minster of Police, really leaving a lasting impression and reminding us what a talented actor he was. This film is a very well put-together starting point for Ridley Scott and from there would only lead to a long-lasting directing career ahead of him.

4/5