The Duellists
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Movie Reviews of The Duellists
Movie Review: Only Barry Lyndon Compares Visually
Summary: 5 Stars
Ridley Scott has a fine eye. Many of his films are not my favorites because of their high-concept stories, but visually, few directors can touch Scott's sense of space, time, and composition. This little-seen gem is comparable only to Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece "Barry Lyndon" in its attempt to create the ambient light and sense of place of the late 1700's -early 1800's. Based on a story by Joseph Conrad, chosen because the rights had lapsed, the film concerns two French hussar officers, one of whom, played with republican fervor by Harvey Keitel, is quick to anger and to duel. His nemesis is the aristocratic officer played by Robert Carradine, who doesn't understand why Keitel hates him so much. The film follows their careers in the Napoleonic wars over the course of fifteen years, from the early triumphs of l'Emporer in Lubeck, to the disaster of Russia, and the return of the Bourbon's. Despite their long-standing animosity, Carradine even saves Keitel from the guillotine, for which he his repayed with disdain and aggression.
This story is episodic, and there are many loose ends, but who cares? This is one of the most astonishing films ever made in its meticulousness, it's bravery (not cow-towing to hi-key filmic conventions), it's invention (a budget of only $900,000 dollars?!) and in the totally successful vision the filmmakers put up on the screen. Films costing 10 times as much or more are not so riviting as this film.
Scott did have to compromise; he wished for Michael York and Oliver Reed, but the financiers wanted American actors. Even though Carradine is occasionally weak, Keitel is intense throughout.
The Duellist is one of my favorite films. The DVD transfer is immaculate and the special features give us interviews with Ridley Scott, and the film's composers notes on his musical choices.
Movie Review: The greatest dueling film ever made.
Summary: 5 Stars
The plot concerns two Hussars in Napoléon Bonaparte's army. One is an extremely honorable fellow, the other is a despicable Gascon. Feraud, the Gascon, becomes offended when d'Hubert, the honorable fellow, places him under arrest (for dueling!) in the company of a woman. Feraud's displeasure leads him to duel d'Hubert many times, from before Napoléon becomes emperor, to after "the Ogre's" exile. But encounter after encounter proves inconclusive, as Feraud will only be satisfied by d'Hubert's death.
This film, said to be "a true story", was actually based upon a story by Joseph Conrad called "The Duel". However, "The Duel" was inspired by true events. The movie is almost entirely faithful to the book, except for the fact that Feraud is a delusional fruitcake in the book, whereas he is a bloodthirsty maniac in the film.
Over all, in the film and book alike, Feraud is a metaphor for Bonaparte, while d'Hubert is a metaphor for the rest of Europe. Feraud continues to pursue d'Hubert in duels, which are symbolic of wars. Inaccurate, as, Russia and Spain excluded, Bonaparte fought all of his wars defensively, and his attackers were often encouraged and funded by Britain. But, as the saying goes, "History is written by the victors". Aside from all that, Feraud excellently embodies all of Napoléon's negative traits: pertinacity, egotism and delusion.
Down to the basics: The movie is incredibly accurate as far as the period goes. The costumes, the hair styles...and especially the duels. You will simply never see more realistic swordplay in a movie. In addition, the plot is superb, the acting realistic and the ending fantastic. If you enjoy the Napoleonic period, duels, beautiful camera work or simply a great story then this film is something I recommend.
Movie Review: I could not love thee half as much loved I not honor more
Summary: 5 Stars
A truly unusual film, both unique and brilliant. It is also one of my personal favorites. The Cinematography helps make the mood of the time but the real story is that of obsession, unrelenting hatred and uncompromising honor. The Napoleonic officer, Feraud [Harvey Keitel] doesn't like his fellow officer, D'Hubert. As a matter of fact, he hates him and won't rest until he's dead. Why? It seems that D'Hubert has...under orders...interfered with Feraud's participation in a previous killing duel.
This sets the scene for the next 15 years. Both men rise in the ranks of Napoleon's Army and Feraud challenges the reluctant D'Hubert to various duels every time he gets the opportunity. Fencing foils, sabres, a two man cavalry charge and, finally, pistols. There are a series of minor to serious wounds, none of which prove fatal. Sometimes Feraud 'wins' and sometimes D'Hubert proves victorious.
Feraud makes D'Hubert's life a nightmare but, once challenged, D'Hubert...sometimes trembling in his boots...never fails to meet the challenge. Honor. There are battles with victories and losses. There is the disastrous retreat from Moscow in which 600,000 men die but both of our duellists survive but with undiminished hatred.
Napoleon is defeated at Waterloo and D'Hubert becomes a Royalist General. The stiffnecked Feraud, however, is condemned to die as a Bonapartist. D'Hubert saves his life, only to face the final, climatic duel. The ending is both brooding and brilliant. A truly memorable film.
Ron Braithwaite, author of novels...'Skull Rack' and 'Hummingbird God'...on the Spanish Conquest of Mexico.
Movie Review: What Film Making is All About
Summary: 5 Stars
I came across this little known film purely by chance when I stopped over at a local Blockbuster. I watched the VHS version and was immediately taken by the film's stunning visual effects, or lack thereof. More precisely, with only 900,000 pounds, a paltry budget even by 1970's standards, Ridley Scott delivered sumptuous colors and visual frames that captured beautiful landscapes of French (and Scottish) countryside in winter months.Now, I have a DVD edition and am even more impressed. Usually, when old films are transferred to digital format, films studios often do a poor job. However, the widescreen, special collector's edition, is masterfully transferred; no hairlines that you find in the VHS version. Colors are even more rich and precise; the DVD edition delivers deep and soothing amber tones that is missing in the VHS version. Furthermore, the DVD include commentaries by both Ridely Scoot, Kevin Reynolds, and Howard Baker (soundtrack/scores). In particular, Scott's commentary is like a case study of film-making that even film students would find very useful.
Kevin Reynolds describes the making of the Duellist as "seredipitous," and he is right. Despite the financial limitation that plague the production, the film, by chance of nature and Scott's brilliance, is a masterpiece. This is a lesson that Hollywood should take to heart: that pouring money into a film doesn't guarantee great film-making.
As a fan of Napoleonic War history, I hope that another masterpiece, Waterloo, is released in DVD with the same kind of attention and care as the Duellist. A big applause to Paramount for doing just to a masterpiece.
Movie Review: Add my five to the list
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a GREAT film. Buy it, watch it -- again and again. Someone said it is based on a story by Joseph Conrad. I am not sure of this, but I do know there is good reason to believe that this story, or something very much like, it happened in real life.
Most people know who Ridley Scott is, and what his movies are. While this movie is smart and beautiful in every detail, I think it is important to remind people that this was Scott's first movie outside his advertising career, and it is not on the scale of Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven.
Nevertheless, it is a great film -- even though it was produced for less than $400,000 in 1977 dollars.
The French in the early years of the Age of Napoleon were fanatic duelists. There were many deaths in duels when the Army was encamped -- especially in 1804 and 1805, when the Grand Armee' was sick of drilling and parades while waiting to invade England at Boulogne sur Mer, and again in 1806/1807, during the occupation of Bavaria after the success at Austerlitz, but before the triumph over the Prussians at Jena.
The French Hussars (the Second and the Seventh are featured in this film) were notorious for riding up to the lines of the British enemy in Spain and asking for a single combat duel just to break the boredom of the wait between battles.
A great deal is said about the psychology and progression of the French culture during the Age of Napoleon. This movie gives a penetrating account of that. This is a movie that will be watched many times with great enjoyment, and will spark lots of good conversation with friends.