The Duellists

[Djinnmeister]

Those two really hated each other.

[chechulli]

If you press pause at any time of the film you will get a beautiful postcard.

This rarely happens with other films.

I've been remembering this film for 30 years.

[ladyfannyM]

I love this film. The costumes are amazing and I particularly enjoyed listening to Ridley Scott's commenty outlining snippets about locations, props and Harrvy Keitels riding ability!

[mosihasteen]

In 1978 I watched this movie about thirty times and never jaded with it. every scene can stand as a work of art. The use of light - especially the sun shining through the trees as he jumps his horse over a haystack after this engagement. Some scenes are so haunting and have stayed with me since I first saw it 32 years ago.

I wanted to be there more than anything, as a soldier, as a farmer, whatever. So I took up fencing as a direct result of this film. I also became a soldier. Thanks.

[Woodlander65]

I've seen it a few times, and it is excellent, must make an effort in buying it on DVD.

[njl62]

D'Hubert must be in the 3rd Hussars—blue-gray uniform tunic & breeches with white trim & braiding, red cuffs, red & white cummerbund. I'm pretty sure Feraud is in the 7th Hussars--Green dolman & pellise, red trousers, all with yellow/gold braiding & trim, red collar & cuffs, red & gold cummerbund. Hussars acquired these uniforms in 1804 when La Grand Armee was being formed, so the film’s start date of 1801 is incorrect (Napoleon was still only First Consul in 1801).

[Woodlander65]

@njl62

It's a small mistake considering its directed by an Englishman, but after looking it up what colours were the 3rd and 7th Hussars wearing in 1801? The 3rd as you will know were founded in 1764, and were part of the Franco-German Brigade, so at least they were formed by 1801 to the films credit.

[seattlejohn01]

This is my favorite film. Ridley Scott's directorial debut, and he hit a grand slam with this one. It just goes to show what a great director can accomplish without CGI, special effects or tricks. The story is INTENSE, it moves along fast, you're drawn into the conflict with these 2 grennadiers, you become emotionally invested in the characters. If you want to buy it, the best place is to check EBay...

[talismn1]

Love this movie, the era of powdered wigs and snuff boxes, over blown egos,cowards and reluctant heros.

[984rtgh]

The elite company -1st troop of the 1st squadron - wore a colpack as worn here as opposed to a shako, although all officers of a regiment could opt for the colpack if desired...

[iacomastro]

I hope to see the incredible sequence of the duel in Egipt, sooner or later...

[RAF04]

UNA GRAN PELÍCULA!!

[em23]

ridley scott did a bit part as an officer in the film. you can actually hear his voice in a scene.

[condorlegion89]

What type of coat are they wearing?

[MaxRWF]

It's called a "dolman", it's the typical vest of the hussars

[condorlegion89]

Thank you my friend

[dwarf19991]

Keithel is VII french Hussar Elite company

carradine is XI french Hussar , don't know which company.

[dwarf19991]

and the coay yhey wear over the shoulder is called pelisse and the cap is a fur busby, in combat they use a sabre.

[condorlegion89]

cool! =D

[manuesko]

Fantastic movie with deep understanding of napleonic era and empire wars....

I adore this scene that shows the intense brutality and roughness of cavalry assault...and the way that the brilliant officer is almost terrified.

Despite of hollywood films, bravemen are terrified and exhausted sometimes.....

[fourplusseven]

Oh but you didn't show where he jumps over the haystack!

[cutdeamon]

fantastic movie!

[aborrowedladder]

I have told hundreds perhaps thousands about this film since i first saw it in 1977. No one has ever seen it. Every aspect of the film; plot, characters, costumes, the tension that builds throughout, the dialoque and the amazingly realistic duels make this film in the top five movies of all time. I have never been able to find it in video stores and tonight, while descr

[77Fortran]

and the natural beauty of France of course! :D

[pixelsilva]

@77Fortran ...I believe Scott filmed this movie in Italy.

[19Edurne]

@pixelsilva

No, in southwest France and in Scottland.

[Twofry]

@77Fortran the problem with france is that its filled with french people

[Djinnmeister]

@Twofry It's the same with Mexico.

[19Edurne]

@Twofry

It's not the problem, it's the reason why France is France.

And maybe one of the problems with America is that it's filled with non-indian people.

[fourplusseven]

You can get it on Amazon. Enjoy. I've seen it quite a few times.

[CanadaMan81]

@aborrowedladder I have seen it many times and it is excellent. I now point my empty pistol at all of you and say "La!"....

[MarcoMinnemann]

@aborrowedladder how could you saw it in 1977 if you're 27? xD

[charliemorrison]

One of my all-time favourite films, and the most stunningly filmed scene. Thank you.

[RangeofMotion]

A slight "cut" across the forehead? The guy looked pretty bad to say the least. Harvey Keitel always plays a good jerk though.

[munkeeguy]

Yeah, he damn near lobbed his head off. His friends will make his injury sound like no big deal though, of course.

[cinque23]

sometimes honor demands a friendly saunter in the woods with sabers drawn, between two gentlemen

[Wikkiter]

I've never seen this movie, what is the story behind it?

[Poejoy]

Two officers in Napoleon's service have a quarrel; one bears a grudge against the other and they have a number of duels over the years of their service, but always the duels are inconclusive and so it goes on.

[MARIGNANO]

@Poejoy True.. but more fundamentally, it is about two different attitudes towards life and towards oneself. The difference is all the more striking as embodied by two figures holding a similar position: One of them seeks and entertains the quarrel because he needs it to exist, if only in his own eyes, to give him a sense of worth and purpose in life. He ends up losing all. The other is dragged in for years, losing a lot, but keeps the normal human capacity to live for positive things

[mosihasteen]

@Poejoy True story too. One of them fought at Waterloo

[sydneylocks]

magnificent move, complete realistic...if wars were still fought this way, I'd sign up in a second.

[mosihasteen]

@sydneylocks I think you'd be a fool to do that. Your chance of surviving is so much better today. Back then if you ate a piece of old meat by accident your chances of survival were bad. Bonaparte lost more men in single battles than the US has in eight years in Iraq. I know what you mean though. There appears to have been an indescribable politeness and honor that has been swept under the rug now that the Playstation generation is out doing the killing as if in a big video game.

[roucala70]

superbe !

vive l empeureur !!!!!!!!

[IForgottenHopeI]

An Amazing and intense scene. The build up for the the duel in this scene between the hussars is frighteningly suspensful.

Ridley Scott is a genius.

[tommy2hats]

"Next time, D'Hubert!"

Brilliant film, thanks for posting this.

[3rdconfederate]

I remember seeing this movie, thought it was great, but have never seen it in a video store or anywhere else since. Thanks for reminding me of it. I thought the costumes and duelling were great also.

[Wotanraven]

This movie is awsome. The costumes are remarkable in this scene!

[jethrotullfreak]

As a fencer, this movie very much appeals to me. It is really one of the most accurate show of both sabre and rapier fencing. Though our modern interpretation of these weapons have developed into the blunt weaponsof today; foil, epee, and sabre, the same sportsmanship and honor applies. Thanks a lot for the wonderful clip.

[Harkonnen0999]

Favorite Movie and sadly not many other clips of this gem of a movie