Review of The Duellists (1977) by David S — 08 Jul 2011

We decided to watch this as we found out it was a Ridley Scott movie directed around the same period as his greatest works, Alien and Blade Runner, and while for a directorial debut feature it was beautifully shot and fully realises the landscapes of the Napoleonic era like an oil painting, unfortunately I just got a little bored (Helena got a lot bored and made her way to bed) and the characters just didn't interest me enough.

I suppose it makes quite a statement in regard to it's theme of foolish pride and honor and in essence the futile nature of war in itself, but the film drags so much I kind of didn't care. It is also obviously inspired by the likes of Paths Of Glory and certainly was reminiscent to Barry Lyndon, but both those movies were more interesting that this.

However, the climax is breathtaking cinema and certainly hints at the epic future which was to come for Scott.