Where do I start with the excellent film that is Duel? Well it was perhaps unwise to start with my opinion of it; those of an impatient disposition might well be inclined to have already stopped reading at this point. But for those who crave insight, reasons as to my conclusion might be convenient ... Read review
This is the TV movie that put Steven Spielberg on the map, shortly before he madeThe ... more
Sugarland Express.Working from a script by Richard Matheson, the film stars Dennis Weaver as a mild-mannered traveling salesman who unintentionally angers the driver o...
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This is the TV movie that put Steven Spielberg on the map, shortly before he madeThe ... more
Sugarland Express.Working from a script by Richard Matheson, the film stars Dennis Weaver as a mild-mannered traveling salesman who unintentionally angers the driver o...
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Before spinning cinematic gold from sharks, dinosaurs and homesick aliens, a young Steven ... more
Spielberg directed this high-velocity thriller about an innocent motorist terrorised by an evil truck. Spielberg's first full-length movie, Duel helped jumpstart ...
The archduke of the opinionated Jeremy Clarkson attempts to answer some of the universal ... more
questions that have plagued mankind for aeons. Who would win in a race between The Stig and ex-'Top Gear' presenter Tiff Needell? Watch Duel to find out the answer to this question and many more! Welcome to my new DVD Duel - it's all about challenges and some big questions. Which car makes the most smoke while going sideways - a Lamborghini Murcielago SuperVeloce or a Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S? What is best at drifting? - the Jaguar XKR the Lotus Evora Audi's R8 V10 or BMW's M3? To find out I globe-trot from sun-drenched Spain to Silverstone via Oxfordshire and Swindon. There is serious science too. Can The Stig drift a car while wearing wellies? Can I corner in flippers? Can Formula One ace Anthony Davidson slide a car - in ice skates? Who is the best at off road driving? - Newswoman Kate Silverton rugby's Matt Dawson singer Ronan Keating - or me? Which is fastest - a car or a man? Find out as the Aston Martin v12 Vantage sprints against flying rugby winger Tom Varndell in a 100 metre drag race. And at last The Stig goes head to helmet against The Tiff. The white-suited racing driver and I join forces against Vicki Butler-Henderson and Tiff Needell. There's carnage in an auto-test and I push the 190mph Aston Martin DBS Volante to the limit against Vicki in a '‚£150 000 Ferrari California. I also pick a Ford Focus RS for a road race against his'Stigness in a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder. Who will win? There's more. What will hit the ground first from 150 feet up a penny or a Ford Scorpio? Can the Stig ride a bicycle? And can a man with a rubbish car get it home using no fuel at all. just a catapult. Meanwhile there's a terrible accident with a Morris Marina and a piano and everything else explodes including Ronan Keating.
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Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
...first reason therefore being that Duel is possibly one of those most tension-packed films ever made. From the moment our protagonist, one David Mann, in his battered and aptly-named Plymouth Valiant, driving peacefully on a sunny Californian highway, starts to become to the target of a rusty Peterbilt truck, the tension never abates for one second. The one scene lasts for more or less the whole film, leaving little time for relief of any sort. ...kind of unknowing fear that Duel plays upon throughout; ever increasing from not even being confident that anything out of the ordinary is happening. Any attempt to introduce something as measured; something as civilised as reason into such a primal situation would only serve as an anti-climax.
The only other real scene involves Mann in a café. This is at least as anxiety-racked as the main chase scene. Mann believes there is a good ... more
Where do I start with the excellent film that is Duel? Well it was perhaps unwise to start with my opinion of it; those of an impatient disposition might well be inclined to have already stopped reading at this point. But for those who crave insight, reasons as to my conclusion might be convenient and so it is with one of those that I shall start with.
The first reason therefore being that Duel is possibly one of those most tension-packed films ever made. From the moment our protagonist, one David Mann, in his battered and aptly-named Plymouth Valiant, driving peacefully on a sunny Californian highway, starts to become to the target of a rusty Peterbilt truck, the tension never abates for one second. The one scene lasts for more or less the whole film, leaving little time for relief of any sort.
In fact I remember the first time I saw this film. For the first 15 or so minutes or so I was merely watching it, not particularly paying attention, it seemed more of a distraction, albeit one that seemed to have potential. As soon as the unseen antagonist, driving the rusty truck came into play, that all changed. Gone was the feeling that the film was merely something to occupy time with in lieu of a more mundane activity. My heart rate increased, beads of sweat seemed like they were being evaporated by the hot Californian sun that I felt I was under. I was damn right about the potential.
Of course, it is pointless to say the film is tension packed and recommend seeing it based on that if I didn't attempt to explain why the film is so successful at delivering it. Firstly, as I've already said, the antagonist is unseen. We never see his face, his emotions; much less find out his reasons for pursuing Mann. In his absence, the truck seems to take his place; it is personified as an evil and almost conscious being, supernatural perhaps. It is the only thing that David has to try and understand what is happening and of course it offers no clues, aside from confirming it is indeed happening. Some people, of course will see this as a criticism. They're mistaken. The fear of the unknown is far more chilling.
That noise you just heard; was it the house creaking, or was it a maniacal murderer creeping up the stairs? Even if you knew it was the latter; the possibility it could be something even worse is removed. What could be worse? This is exactly the kind of unknowing fear that Duel plays upon throughout; ever increasing from not even being confident that anything out of the ordinary is happening. Any attempt to introduce something as measured; something as civilised as reason into such a primal situation would only serve as an anti-climax.
The only other real scene involves Mann in a café. This is at least as anxiety-racked as the main chase scene. Mann believes there is a good chance the driver is in the somewhat busy café. If we or Mann knew the driver's face, the effect would be massively diminished. Either a fight would break out between the two or Mann would try and hide his face from one particular customer. This just isn't an option. Instead, he has to put on a façade of calmness, trying to identify who his would-be murderer is, all the time not sure if the driver is even in there.
And on the unknowing front, the viewer never finds out much about Mann. Where is he going? Why exactly is he being chased? Why is he so timid? He could almost be anybody. He almost could be everybody.
Of course such fear and tension could only be portrayed with acting to match and since I've spent a great deal of words describing those two attributes with what can only be described as awe, you may have already guessed the acting does indeed match. Being as this is a chase film with an unseen antagonist, there is one actor that has more screen time than all of the other members of cast put together; that of Dennis Weaver who plays the protagonist David Mann.
Anyone who finds themselves in a life or death situation such as this will generally find themselves exhibiting one emotion; that of course being the much mentioned fear. Panic also features heavily. On the few occasions that David tries to convince bystanders of the danger he is in, this changes slightly to that close relation of fear: paranoia.
Paranoia, panic and fear; you might be thinking, not exactly the most wide-ranging of emotions. You'd be right of course, but in what is essentially a one-scene film they are all that is needed and Weaver plays them to perfection; if of course they are different emotions at all. Panic is surely just hyperactive fear, isn't it? And fear hyperactive paranoia?
Being as the truck driver is almost completely unseen, I feel I ought to class the truck as an actor. If you've ever seen the cover of Duel, seen screenshots of it or even caught a bit of the film yourself, you'll remember it. The rusty brown exterior gives it an unrefined and unique look, which if not evil is certainly coldly indifferent. The elevation to pure evil requires the truck to take on a personality. A clue can be found in the only thing resembling branding on the truck, a large "FLAMMABLE" on the back of the trailer.
Under heavy acceleration, which is a major element in any chase scene, the truck belches black clouds of smoke from the exhaust pipe, as if sending out smoke signals of malevolence. And has there ever been a mute villain? Not having been chased by a large vehicle before, I can't be sure that a 1950s Peterbilt being driven to the limit does sound anything like Duel makes out, but it does give it an almost supernatural snarl. Its bark isn't worse than its bite; it's a warning.
I said earlier that the tension never abates; this being a showing on ITV, that wasn't strictly true, due to of course the incessant advert breaks. I took the opportunity during one break to walk over to the mirror, shake my head in silent appreciation, breathe out slowly and think "My God, now that's what you call tension." I then went to get a chocolate bar which I forgot to eat, so immersed in the non-abating tension was I. It served as an almost post-coital snack during the credits.
...meagre budget of around $425,000, Duel was to be snapped up firstly by European cinemas where it went on to achieve great success and finally ten years later received a much overdue US run after Spielberg had plundered its ideas in his blockbuster movies like Jaws. The idea was not Spielberg's however, but that of screen writer Richard Matheson, who came up with the idea after having been dangerously tailgated by a menacing truck in a narrow canyon. ... ...Spielberg's finest hour... Duel is effectively the first real 'road rage' movie and still one of the finest thrillers ever produced, the lack of budget obviously getting the creative juices really flowing as opposed to handing the responsibility over the special effects team to draw in the crowds. It is also notable that there is little of the now sadly characteristic sappy 'Americanisms' which Spielberg's laeter movies all seem to exhibit and absolutely ...
wampyrii 04.06.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Duel (DVD)
Advantages: A good film Disadvantages: In the media world its highly over annalysed and pulled apart
Duel
Dull stuff: Written by the prolific Richard Matheson but it is most notable for the directorial debut of a certain Steven Spielberg. Made in 1971 starring Dennis Weaver. It’s rated PG and is a thriller.
Plot: The film is a tale of an everyday sales man named David Mann who travelling in the dusty nowhere roads of America overtakes a lorry whose driver is insane. The story follows David Mann as he tries to escape the wrath of a faceless driver ... ...has escaped the sadistic 18 wheeler and its driver it reappears hell bent on killing a rather flustered Mr.Mann. Acting: The films is almost entirely focused on David Mann who through his thoughts and actions leads us on this thriller ride. This put a meant that the susses of the film is largely placed on the solders of Dennis Weaver’s performance. And he did not fail his budding young director as his performance was more than believable. Effects: ...
Dunc22 20.01.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Duel (DVD)
This is one of my favorite movies of all time. A simple uncomplicated script, minimal special effects, and a handful of actors, all come together in a suspence filled 90 minute Spielburg Made-for-tv movie that can still holds it own after 33 years. The DVD extras include a commentary from Stephen Spielberg that I found to be very interesting. Among other things, you'll learn that the entire movie was made in 12 days! The DVD also dishes up a high ... ...tape for many years with its bland mono-tv-like sound, it's a real treat to actually HEAR and FEEL the rumble of the evil truck's engine. You can even hear the 1970 Plymouth Valiant 6 cylinder engine roar into life everytime David Mann (Dennis Weaver) guns the engine! Keep an eye out for the Pest Control vehicle on the side of the road during one of the chase scenes. It says "Grebleips" on the side of it, Spielberg spelled backwards. ...
egscott 29.04.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Duel (DVD)
Advantages: Classic scary movie Disadvantages: Interesting extras
Four years before Jaws made crowds pee their loon pants, a young Steven Spielberg gave the same bad PR to motorways. The year was 1971, the 'shark' was a truck and the film was Duel. It was a killer-simple concept. Dennis Weaver plays David Mann, an Everyman with a dead-end job, driving across California. When he cuts up a rusty gas tanker, the unseen driver (does he even exist?) takes umbrage, dedicating the rest of his day to making David roadkill. ... ...of mind, which terrifies the most - seeming to vroom out of our deepest fears and spawning a host of imitators form The Hitcher to Jeepers Creepers and beyond. Spielberg's one-track highway to hell is one seriously scary movie. Extras include original traiiler and three featurettes including a conversation .with Spielberg on maing the film. ...
mark_mitchell 29.03.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Duel (DVD)
Advantages: Great Action Disadvantages: Not Very Long
...winding country roads until the duel at the end when the truck is forced over a cliff.
there is a lot of tension in the chase scenes with plenty of tailgaiting.
there is not much talking in the film but that does not spoil any of the action scenes.i think this is dennis weavers best performance & one of spielbergs best films.
not much of a horror film but 80 minutes of great entertainment for all the family . ...
mez20 03.11.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Duel (DVD)
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Advantages: A tense, thrilling road trip with great direction Disadvantages: Lack of a commentary by Steven himself
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Audio & Visual
Presented in 1.22:1 Full Frame, Duels? made-for-TV feel is obvious. However for a 1971 film, the DVD transfer is of the highest quality, remaining as sharp as possible throughout. Sound is available in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, 2.0 Mono or DTS 5.1 Surround. By today?s standards, the quality is nothing more then serviceable. The impact remains though with a playful score and screeching tyres cranking up the necessary tension.
Extras
A conversation with Steven Spielberg (35:39)
Steven Spielberg discusses Richard Matheson?s? screenplay and how he brought it to the life. Backed up by diagrams, film footage and sheer enthusiasm, Spielberg covers everything from the stunts and key sequences to working with the cast and crew. He even points out his own blunders (his reflection in ...
Advantages: Excellent Film Disadvantages: Slow in Places, some BAD jokes
cronies and adversaries. However I was surprised to see their good taste in giving Guy Siner the part of Harbormaster; you may remember him as Lieutenant Hubert Gruber in the series "Allo 'Allo!" (1982)
There are no bones about it, this is superior to other Depp movies and will leave a good after taste. You may need to see it several times to pick up the tightly packed scenes and dialog. I have viewed the duelDVD package and found instead of just rehashing the movie scenes that they give different insights that you may have missed in the first viewing. Even the deleted scenes allow you to see the way the movie could have went. ...
Advantages: romantic, good story, great cast, beautiful settings, good value for money Disadvantages: none!
feel like being swept away into a time from the past, with dashing men who duel, drawn out romances and true hardship then this is the DVD for you. ...
![Duel (Special Edition) [DVD] [1972]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78501705.jpg)
![Clarkson - Duel Dvd [2009] | Jeremy Clarkson](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/107411561.jpg "Clarkson - Duel Dvd [2009] | Jeremy Clarkson")
