The Duellists Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two French dudes can’t let go of a minor squabble and decide to sword fight across Europe for like, fifteen years, because feelings.

🍿 The Duellists: Detailed Plot Synopsis

An Initial Insult

In 1800 Strasbourg, Lieutenant d’Hubert is tasked with placing Lieutenant Feraud under house arrest for wounding a civilian in a duel. Feraud, a hot-headed and prideful officer, views d’Hubert’s interruption of his social call as a personal insult. This sets the stage for their first duel, marking the beginning of a long and bitter feud.

Escalating Encounters

Over the next fifteen years, d’Hubert and Feraud’s paths repeatedly cross amidst the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars. Each encounter reignites their conflict, leading to a series of duels fought with swords, sabers, and pistols. The film vividly portrays the changing landscapes and circumstances of their duels, reflecting the shifting tides of war.

Love and Loss

D’Hubert attempts to build a life outside of the duels, forming a relationship with Laura. However, the constant threat of Feraud looms over him, affecting his personal life and happiness. The film explores the toll that obsession and personal vendettas can take on relationships.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Armand d’Hubert (Keith Carradine): A mild-mannered lieutenant in the French army who is forced into a series of duels by Feraud, despite his desire for peace.
• Gabriel Feraud (Harvey Keitel): A hot-headed and irrational lieutenant obsessed with honor, who relentlessly pursues d’Hubert in a series of duels over a perceived slight.
• Fouché (Albert Finney): The Police Minister grants d’Hubert’s request for Feraud’s pardon.
• Adèle (Cristina Raines): D’Hubert’s wife, who brings stability and a chance at a normal life.
• Laura (Diana Quick): A camp follower and former lover of d’Hubert who recognizes the futility of the duels.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Armand D’Hubert: “General Feraud has made occasional attempts to kill me. That does not give him the right to claim my acquaintance.” – D’Hubert explains his lack of personal relationship with Feraud despite their long history of duels.
• Armand D’Hubert: “I shall simply declare you dead.” – D’Hubert spares Feraud’s life in their final duel, effectively ending the conflict.
• Gabriel Feraud: “Pistols, next time.” – Feraud’s persistent challenge after their encounter during the retreat from Russia, showing his unending desire for a duel.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $900,000
• Domestic Gross: $4.6 million
• Worldwide Gross: $4.6 million

💥 The Duellists Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I watched ‘The Duellists’ last night, and WOW. The opening scene was like stepping into a painting. Seriously, the lighting and costumes? Gorgeous! The storyline about the two soldiers was slow to get into. The sword fights are pretty intense, and honestly, I was hooked. By the end I was cheering! I couldn’t believe it was Ridley Scott’s first movie, it’s so well done. If you love historical dramas and impressive sword fights, check it out!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of historical dramas”
  • “Those interested in films about honor and obsession”
  • “Viewers who appreciate visually stunning cinematography”
  • “Admirers of Ridley Scott’s early work”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence (sword fights and duels)”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Themes of obsession and revenge”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “Ridley Scott’s debut is a visually stunning and intellectually stimulating film about honor, obsession, and the futility of war. The meticulously crafted duels and breathtaking cinematography create a truly immersive experience, making it a must-see for cinephiles.
• The Guardian: “A haunting and beautifully realized adaptation of Joseph Conrad’s ‘The Duel,’ this is Ridley Scott at his most visually poetic. The performances by Carradine and Keitel are excellent, capturing the nuances of pride and obsession amidst the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars. This film showcases Scott’s mastery of atmosphere and storytelling.
• Empire Magazine: “Ridley Scott’s debut is a captivating study of obsession and honor, set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars. The duels are both exhilarating and brutal, perfectly capturing the destructive nature of pride. While the pacing can be slow at times, the film’s visual beauty and strong performances make it a rewarding watch.

Audience Reactions

Visually stunning and gripping historical drama.: Viewers rave about the beautiful cinematography and realistic sword-fighting scenes, making it a memorable visual experience.

Engaging story of honor and obsession with very interesting characters.: Many appreciated the complex characters and storyline that explores human obsession with pride.

Overall Consensus: A visually stunning debut from Ridley Scott, known for its beautiful cinematography and engaging story about honor and obsession, though some find it slow-paced.

Awards

1. Cannes Film Festival (Best First Film)- 1977

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Ridley Scott said that after directing thousands of commercials, he realized he needed to take the lead in making a film himself due to limited funds.”
• “The budget was so tight that Scott was forced to use producer David Puttnam and other crew members as extras in crowd scenes.”
• “The scene where the French army is bogged down was shot in a ski resort near Inverness, Scotland.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Duellists?

As of today, ‘The Duellists’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Duellists, you might like these similar films:

• Barry Lyndon (1975): Both films are visually stunning period pieces exploring themes of honor, class, and the futility of conflict in 18th and 19th century Europe.
• Gladiator (2000): Also directed by Ridley Scott, it shares a similar visual style and explores themes of honor, revenge, and the corruption of power in a historical setting.
• Rob Roy (1995): Features intense sword fights and a strong theme of personal honor and justice in the face of corruption, even if set in a different geographical region.

🛒 The Duellists Related Products

• The Duellists (Blu-ray): A high-definition Blu-ray edition featuring restored visuals and bonus content, a must-have for collectors and fans of Ridley Scott.
• The Duel by Joseph Conrad (Paperback): The original Joseph Conrad novella that inspired the movie, providing a deeper understanding of the story’s themes and characters.
• “The Duellists” Inspired Chess Set – Napoleonic Wars Theme: A beautifully crafted chess set featuring figures inspired by characters and themes from “The Duellists,” perfect for strategy game enthusiasts and history buffs.
• “The Duellists” Limited Edition Art Print: A high-quality art print capturing a memorable scene from the film, ideal for decorating home theaters or fan caves.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Duellists features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Howard Blake
• “Bist du bei mir” – performed by Johann Sebastian Bach

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Sword Master Rates 10 More Sword Fights In Movies And TV | How Real Is It? | Insider

Ever wondered how realistic the sword fights in ‘The Duellists’ really are? This sword master breaks down the techniques and historical accuracy – you might be surprised at what he finds!

Realistic Smallsword Duels in a Movie? – The Duellists (1977)

Want to know if ‘The Duellists’ actually got the sword fighting right? Skallagrim dives deep into the historical techniques to see how the movie stacks up – a must-watch for history buffs!

Movie Fight Review 1: The Duellists (1977) – Second Duel

Let’s face it: the duels are the core of the movie. This breakdown takes a closer look at one of the most iconic fights, from the choreography to the tactics. It really made me appreciate the detail they put into it!

✨ Rate