DramaWar

The Duellists

- Fencing is a science. Loving is a passion. Duelling is an obsession.

In 1800, as Napoleon Bonaparte rises to power in France, a rivalry erupts between Armand and Gabriel, two lieutenants in the French Army, over a perceived insult. For over a decade, they engage in a series of duels amidst larger conflicts, including the failed French invasion of Russia in 1812, and shifts in the political and social systems of Europe.

Release Date : 1977-08-31

Language :EnglishRussian

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Enigma ProductionsParamount Pictures

Production Country : United KingdomUnited States of America

Alternative Titles : The Duellists

Cast

Character Name : Armand d'Hubert

Original Name : Keith Carradine

Gender : Male

Character Name : Gabriel Feraud

Original Name : Harvey Keitel

Gender : Male

Character Name : Joseph Fouché

Original Name : Albert Finney

Gender : Male

Character Name : Colonel Perteley

Original Name : Edward Fox

Gender : Male

Character Name : Adèle

Original Name : Cristina Raines

Gender : Female

Character Name : Brigadier-General Treillard

Original Name : Robert Stephens

Gender : Male

Character Name : Dr. Jacquin

Original Name : Tom Conti

Gender : Male

Character Name : Amiable Second

Original Name : John McEnery

Gender : Male

Character Name : Laura

Original Name : Diana Quick

Gender : Female

Character Name : Lieutenant Lacourbe

Original Name : Alun Armstrong

Gender : Male

Character Name : Tall Second

Original Name : Maurice Colbourne

Gender : Male

Character Name : Maid

Original Name : Gay Hamilton

Gender : Female

Character Name : Léonie

Original Name : Meg Wynn Owen

Gender : Female

Character Name : Mme. de Lionne

Original Name : Jenny Runacre

Gender : Female

Character Name : Chevalier du Rivarol

Original Name : Alan Webb

Gender : Male

Character Name : Captain with Eyepatch

Original Name : Arthur Dignam

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mayor's Son

Original Name : Matthew Guinness

Gender : Male

Character Name : Cuirassier

Original Name : Dave Hill

Gender : Male

Character Name : Hilaire

Original Name : Neville Jason

Gender : Male

Character Name : Singer

Original Name : Timothy Penrose

Gender : Male

Character Name : Fencing Master

Original Name : William Morgan Sheppard

Gender : Male

Character Name : Fortune Teller

Original Name : Liz Smith

Gender : Female

Character Name : Surgeon

Original Name : Anthony Douse

Gender : Male

Character Name : Officer

Original Name : Hugh Fraser

Gender : Male

Character Name : Cossack / Hussar

Original Name : Richard Graydon

Gender : Male

Character Name : Officer

Original Name : Tim Hardy

Gender : Male

Character Name : Swordsman

Original Name : William Hobbs

Gender : Male

Character Name : Officer

Original Name : Michael Irving

Gender : Male

Character Name : Gen. Treillard's Aide-de-Camp

Original Name : Tony Mathews

Gender : Male

Character Name : Orderly shaving Gen. Treillard

Original Name : Pete Postlethwaite

Gender : Male

Character Name : Léonie's son

Original Name : Jason Scott

Gender : Male

Character Name : Léonie's son

Original Name : Luke Scott

Gender : Male

Character Name : Narrator (voice)

Original Name : Stacy Keach

Gender : Male

Character Name : Pianist (uncredited)

Original Name : Jean-Pierre Bordas

Gender : Male

Character Name : Napoleonic Boy Soldier (uncredited)

Original Name : Paul Casson-Yardley

Gender : Male

Character Name : Wedding Guest (uncredited)

Original Name : George Oliver

Gender : Male

Reviews

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2022-06-23

After what can only be described as the most minor of misunderstandings, the decent "d'Hubert" (Keith Carradine) is forced to duel with the hot-tempered "Feraud" (Harvey Keitel). That ends inconclusively and now the narrative leads us through a series of re-matches set against a tale of their trials and tribulations during the rise and fall of Napoleon in early 1800s France. Joseph Conrad wrote a characterful story and Ridley Scott makes full use of that with a focused, frequency pithy and entertaining, dialogue and two measured and engaging leading performances with plenty of entertaining swordplay. The supporting cast is as A-list as you're ever likely to get in a non-romantic period drama. Albert Finney and Edward Fox, Tom Conti and an on form Robert Stephens as well Cristina Raines' charming effort as "Adèle" contribute well. All are dressed perfectly amidst settings that suit this gritty and battle-worn story perfectly, too. It's a cunningly devised theme, this - it has the obvious storyline, but also takes well aimed swipes at pomposity, the futility of war, and the stupidity of man - all in a manner that resonates cleverly, even now. It was clearly produced on a limited budget, which is apparent from time to time with the continuity (never one of Scott's strong suits) or with some overused extras amongst the soldiers - but, overall, it is a testament to what can be done in a relatively short film, with a good story and cast and some creative leadership behind the camera.