The Duellists **** (1977, Keith Carradine, Harvey Keitel, Albert Finney, Edward Fox, Tom Conti, Robert Stephens, John McEnery, Diana Quick) – Classic Movie Review 6461

Director Ridley Scott’s 1977 debut British feature film is an eye-catching version of Joseph Conrad’s story The Duel about two French Napoleonic officers (Keith Carradine and Harvey Keitel) who engage in epic feuding in a bizarre sequence of duels to the death over a period of decades.

The Duellists is a triumph of style over content in a movie that hastily sketches in character backgrounds while preferring to concentrate on letting the camera linger lovingly on misty mornings, sumptuous Napoleonic costumes and a feast of vintage food.

The actors grab their fleeting chances in their moments to make an impression. But it is an exciting and promising debut for Scott.

Also in the cast are Albert Finney, Edward Fox, Cristina Raines, Tom Conti, Robert Stephens, John McEnery, Diana Quick, Maurice Colbourne, Gay Hamilton, Meg Wynn Owen, Jenny Runacre, Alan Webb and Matthew Guinness.

It is written by Gerald Vaughan-Hughes, shot by Frank Tidy, produced by David Puttnam, scored by Howard Blake and designed by Peter J Hampton.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 6461

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