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Duellists, The [DVD] [1977] starring: Keith Carradine, Harvey Keitel, Albert Finney, Edward Fox, Cristina Raines

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Average rating -

Rating: - At last - the DVD!

I haven't seen this film in ages. I've got a copy on tape somewhere blagged off the TV years ago, but everytime I see it I marvel at Scott's masterful use of location, colour - oh, all the usual things film fans gas on about. Yes, Keitel is at his controlled manic best, Carradine plays the upright soldier to the hilt but what about those sword fights? None of your Rathbone/Flynn waving about, just savage, sweating and skilful swordplay - did i say 'play'? - I'm suprised Keitel and Carradine didn't kill one another but then they were being coached by the master of fight arrangers, the man who gave you those wonderful fights in Lester's Musketeer films, William Hobbs. Anything Mr Hobbs does is worth watching - even if the film's naff. But The Duellists was made for him. OK, I'm a sucker for good French costume dramas, and this must stand with the best, even if it's made by an Englishman - and when you're next down the Dordogne way, check out some of the locations (see the credits) and hear that crash of steel!

Rating: - Quirky but first rate

There could be a lot more good films set in the Napoleonic wars and this is a great example of why! The look is great - classic Ridley Scott with smoke, fog and gunge everywhere - the actors look like they live and breathe in the uniforms rather than like "chocolate box" soldiers - and Harvey Keitel is at his barking mad best.

Rating: - Gorgeous

In case you didn't know, prior to becoming a director for the big screen, Ridley Scott directed advertisements. One of his more famous series was the Hovis campaign in the 1970, involving children riding bikes through quaint villages etc and beautifully filmed. This was his first attempt at a feature film and it looks like a very extended version of these adverts. It is one of the most beautiful looking films I have ever seen, each scene being a masterpiece.
The cast is strong with Keith Carradine acting his pants off and Harvey Keitel turning in his usual impecable performance. Supporting roles are provided by the likes of Tom Conti.
The story is taken from Joseph Conrad's book and is a pretty faithful adaptation - it is basically about two French soldiers in Napoleonic times engaged in a feud, the basis for which is somewhat hazy. I would give it five stars but I think it is slightly let down by what I think is a week ending.

Rating: - The enemies of Reason have a certain blind look ...

After shooting artsy advertisements, Ridley Scott turned his considerable talents to actual motion pictures. His first attempt is an adaptation of Joseph Conrad's novella 'The Point Of Honour' - a tale of fixation-cum-obsession. Fencing in this film - crude and seemingly ungentlemanly - reflects a more realistic portrayal, rather than the quasi-romantic stylistic, balletic and 'clean' approach favoured by just about all previous films (the Musketeer films, Cartouche, Scaramouche, Don Juan, etc.); some of this fencing was also done with heavy cavalry sabres - not really 'fencing' weapons!

The American accents of Keith Carradine (Armand d'Hubert, 3ème Régiment de Hussards, reluctant duellist and realist-rather-than-Royalist) and Harvey Keitel (Gabriel Ferraud, 7ème Régiment de Hussards, and manic man of honour, fixated on fighting duels), along with Stacey Keach's third-person narration, perhaps reflecting the wider conflict and mankind's apparent need to struggle, might not be to everybody's liking. Nevertheless, Scott's attention to even the tiniest peripheral or background detail adds a visually-arresting still-life quality to the quite stunning scenery and locations. All Scott's trademarks are there, such as the moody tableaux of early-morning mists, along with condensation breath. With each viewing comes the joyous discovery of yet more period and cinematic detail.

Besides, those Hussar uniforms are pretty cool, huh ...?!!

Rating: - The Duellists

Perhaps one of Mr Scott's lesser known films, but in my view maybe one of his best. The style, the colours, the action all say this is a Scott film. Set during the Napoleonic wars, and based on a misunderstanding, it takes on a vivid portrayal of duels, honour, war and the impact these have on the protagonists. Harvey Keitel is as usual brilliant, and Keith Carridine plays one of his finest roles. Maybe a cult film, but a film that deserves much more recognition than it ever recieved.

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