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The Duellists

The Duellists

Drama · War · 1977

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.

Movie details

The Duellists

“Fencing is a science. Loving is a passion. Duelling is an obsession.”

1977 Drama · War 1h 40m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.3 / 10

Community 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.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Duellists?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Ridley Scott

Written by

Gerald Vaughan-Hughes

Keith Carradine

Keith Carradine

Armand d'Hubert

Harvey Keitel

Harvey Keitel

Gabriel Feraud

Albert Finney

Albert Finney

Joseph Fouché

Edward Fox

Edward Fox

Colonel Perteley

Cristina Raines

Cristina Raines

Adèle

Robert Stephens

Robert Stephens

Brigadier-General Treillard

Tom Conti

Tom Conti

Dr. Jacquin

Court is in session

Put The Duellists on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.