The Duellists

1977 • 1h 40m •

Drama War

MOVIEVIBE Rating

★ 7.3/10

655 reviews

Your Rating

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.

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

Top Billed Cast

Keith Carradine

Armand d'Hubert

Harvey Keitel

Gabriel Feraud

Albert Finney

Joseph Fouché

Edward Fox

Colonel Perteley

Cristina Raines

Adèle

Robert Stephens

Brigadier-General Treillard

Tom Conti

Dr. Jacquin

John McEnery

Amiable Second

Detailed Critic & Audience Reviews

C CinemaSerf Verified TMDB Critic

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 swo...