the duellists (1977) - second duel 

For some absurd reason, seeing that man suddenly feeling the urge to sneeze at a rapier duel feels strangely relatable, somehow.

And the actual duel lasts for like 3 seconds. Masterpiece

I appreciate the lack of background score music during the actual swordfight. It adds a great deal of tension to the scene. Sometimes less is more.

I like how when he looked at the damage of his wound he whimpered, a very natural and human reaction and more believable than the Johnny Badass of most action movies that has a entire arm missing yet doesn’t bat a eye.

Every scene in this film is like a living painting.

As an actual sport fencer training with the Italian National team, I can say that this is the best movie dueling scene I ever saw. In actual dueling to draw blood or make a touch, things don’t last very long. Best fencing scene ever!

duels were banned during napoleonic wars as they were losing too many officers , there is an instance of a duel in hyde park because a dog startled an officers horse !

Always loved the sheep in this scene. They must have been paid acting sheep that were told (and understood) they were playing sheep at the turn of the 19th century... when sword duels were almost obsolete, but still not that much of a rare occurrence for them to witness. They seem to have taken their direction very seriously. I say this because, every time myself and a friend went for a spot of duelling in the fields with sticks - circa 1984-5 when we were 9 or 10 - the sheep would scatter with remarkable speed every time.

Most polite duellists. "A second mate, I gotta sneeze." "Take your time."

I loved this because it really showed just how fast real sword fights are.

People like to throw around the whole 'honour' aspect of duelling but the real issue with it was that a small subset of duellists (who were likely psychos) always ended up getting really fucking good and would game the honour system by deliberately setting up numerous petty feuds against less experienced swordsmen whilst actively avoiding their more experienced counterparts so they could rack up higher kill counts. All it achieved was alot of dead bodies with no benefit to society at all.

Back when ridley scott made masterpieces

WAIT A SECOND! I need to sneeze, don't kill me yet..... Okay, go.

Don't u just hate it when u start sneezing at a rapier duel?

This movie is one of those things that I just can't explain why I like so much. If I was to show this to family or friends, they would likely be bored to tears, and admittedly, it isn't particularly that exciting and can be a little hard to follow at times, but to me, it's just a really good film.

The light in the sky is quite beautiful. One of the greatest visual films ever made. So many good shots.

I'm digging the double man-braids with the moustache

Wow. I did not expect so many responses. I never fought a duel! Dad learned Italian Style Foil in the 1950s when he was in University in Sicily . He taught me as a boy. The technique is essentially what you see here with the small swords.People were still occasionally fighting duels there at the time. My fencing instructor in College had a mode he used for fencing for points in competition where he tried to”not get hit” .I always thought that would be how I would fence if it was for real. I think in a real duel one would not do anything that caused the distance too get too close. There would be no risky attacks or anything that caused a loss of balance. The more proficient I became as a fencer, the more I scored points on ripostes and responding to other people’s mistakes. An incorcatta in a duel would really have to be almost an act of brilliance or desperation. I encourage you all to get involved in fencing if you are interested. It is a great sport. I miss it Frank

God the fucking realism. I have to say, this is the most beautiful and realistic scene I have ever watched in a movie.

I instructed and competed as a saber fencer for a decade. Ridley Scott did a great job of capturing the mood and feel of what a true duel might have been like. Keitel had no previous training, but did very well (especially in the opening scene) to convey "mastery". Additionally, the mastery over fear is far more important than pure technique. The FEAR of being struck is a lot more dangerous than engaging someone with intelligence and even moderate skill. 🐲✨🐲✨🐲✨

Carradine is psyching him out, comparable to a batters stepping out of the batter's box, good show Mr. Carradine.

Hard to believe but this feud is based on historical fact.

It is amazing how much sword skill these great actors have. No CGI at that time. Just pure talent. I have seen the movie sop many times.

I really wish hollywood level productions would adopt this much more realistic take on combat. The tension is absolutely palpable and can still be shot theatrically, whereas most productions leave the audience with little sense of worry for the protagonist. While we might know that it is likely the hero will prevail to continue the narrative, scenes like this add a real sense of dread.

Keitel's character is probably the biggest prick in cinematic history. He won the duel. Wasn't that enough?

This is one of my favorite movies. I've watched it several times. Professional duelist, Feraud, is shown to possess some kind of psychological pathology that compels him to challenge people to duels for insults, perceived or real. He challenges the movie's protagonist for a perceive slight to his honor. After watching the movie several time, I think the protagonist could have handled the initial confrontation better. But he let his own macho ego influence his words and demeanor, which only served to inflame Feraud all the more. Feraud becomes a lifetime enemy of him. Yet throughout their ten plus years of repeat duelings, Feraud continues to be a stickler to the strict social rules of dueling. Feraud never takes cheap shots at the movie's hero. In the second duel, where Feraud actually wins, he pick's up the hero's swords and hands it to the second. But Feraud doesn't want simply to win. He wants to kill his hated opponent. But he wants to kill him according to the dueling rules and without the slightest shred of contention that the kill was not clean nor warranted. At movie's end, the hero wins but doesn't kill Feraud. He tells Feraud that he owns his life from now on and that he cannot breach honor by demanding another duel. The movie ends without confirming whether Feraud actually agreed to these limitations. The social convention of dueling in Europe does not explain whether the winner can spare the life of the opponent and then keep the defeated from demanding a follow-up duel. If Feraud was that psychologically fixated, I doubt he would have held to the hero's demands. Yet Feraud would never stoop to something like ambush and murder. Honor was everything to him.

The Duellists is such a great movie, and for it to be Ridley Scotts debut feature film makes it even more incredible.

This film was so interesting in it's time. It felt like it came out of nowhere. But it made its own impact on me. Haunted my memory for years. The opening sequence felt like reality.

Loved this movie. The way the Keith Carradine character outwitted his obsessive compulsive opponent towards the end was text book brilliant.

I just noticed something. Harvey Keitel doesn't know for sure that he landed the hit. Then he sees the blood on the tip his blade and goes "FUCK YEAH!" What an amazing detail! 😀

The fellow on the left hit him with what is called an incorccata. I have used it in competition against taller opponents by inviting in the line of 6 and dropping under it. I don't think I would do it in a duel as you are left so off balance at the end of it and if you miss you are finished. The fellow on the right rather much threw himself at his opponent. Combat fencing should be much more conservative and cautious, but this makes great theater. I love the camera work.

This movie is a crowning achievement in Ridley Scott’s list of greats. I remember seeing this movie in ‘78. It was a spectacularly different feel than the traditional movies of its time. Barry Lyndon was also the same..

Those uniforms, the hair styles, amazing

"You're gonna be alright! You're gonna be alright! Say the god danm word! SAY IT!"

Ready to start, the duel begins The best man wins in the end A lung and a feint, a parry too late A cut to the chest and you're down Seeing the stain, then feeling the pain Feeling the sweat on your brow Oh-oh, fight for the honor Fight for the splendor Fight for the pleasure Oh-oh, fight for the honor Fight for the splendor Fight for your life ~Iron Maiden, _The Duelists_

This is a gorgeous looking film.

R.Scott said he got inspired by S.Kubrick's Barry Lyndon, and indeed the two movies have a similar photography. The Duellist proves R.Scott could have been a great artist and not only a profitable entertainer. He got blunt edged after his first three great movies, Duellists, Alien, Blade Runner.

usually, fights are settled pretty quickly. a swordfight ends instantly due to a mistake of some sort like blocking, a gunfight lasts instantly due to a well aimed bullet, a dogfight lasts instantly due to a missile lock that happens. Fights can be dramatic at first because people are fearing for their lives, but once they go at it, it doesn't take long to find out who is better, and who is dead.

got wrecked in 3 seconds, please uninstall

I like how minilist this movie is. No epic music during the duels. Just quiet tension.

THE best and most realistic movie fencing scenes ever

This deserves a remaster/restored version released on blu-ray.

Ridley Scott’s first, and in my opinion, still his best film.

It must have been a big problem for the generals of that time period ( Napoleonic, I'm guessing ) to be losing officers to duels when they're needed to lead their troops. Though it is common knowledge that soldiers of that & the past few centuries sporting mustaches, i had no idea that wearing braids had come into fashion. Its been a while since i saw this so i gotta re-watch later & check for any other details I missed. TY for posting this video

The direction and cinematography in this film is remarkable! Even though it's from 1977, it still looks brilliant and absolutely gorgeous! No wonder Ridley Scott was recognized for his effort with this one.

You know a scene is realistic when an actor sneezes in it. I think its the first time that i have seen that happen actually

I saw this excellent movie only once, but never forgot the final confrontation, when D'Hubert had Ferraud at his mercy: "You have kept me at your beck and call for fifteen years. I shall never again do what you demand of me. By every rule of single combat, from this moment your life belongs to me. Is that not correct? Then I shall simply declare you dead. In all of your dealings with me, you'll do me the courtesy to conduct yourself as a dead man. I have submitted to your notions of honor long enough. You will now submit to mine."

Masterpiece. Needs more recognition as one of Ridley's very best films.

The cinematography in this whole scene is so beautiful. A wonderful film really.

I love the little details like when he picks up his sword to hand to his friend and then the friend notices and annoyingly takes it from him. It almost looks like an unscripted moment but at to the realism. Definitely don't see stuff like that in movies today.

i love so many aspects of this film! The cinematography, the authenticity of the duel, shot wide-angle and no shaky cams, and sharp dialogues. Next time d'Hubert! And oh, men wearing pony tails! I think we need to revive this fashion.

This is quite simply one of the finest films ever made. I have watched it many times, and it never fails to entertain me.

It's a beautifully shot film. And this scene in particular with regards to the planning of the sunrise to frame the opening shot and then one long planning shot before the riders appear really is great filmmaking.

Every second of this scene looks like a painting... It's beyond words

Man, looks good for a 1977 film!

Such a magnificent cinematography, can't believe that it's from 1977.

I remember the first time I watched this movie and the second, third ect. Each time it's gotten better and better. Masterpiece! I hope that they never do a reboot!

Did that guy pause the duel to sneeze?

I love the costumes and hairstyles in this film. I’ve never seen another historical film with this kind of look. Absolutely beautiful!

30 seconds just psyching each other out, waiting for an opening...then 3 seconds of explosive fighting. Got to love the pacing in this film. Superb!

A perfect film in every way.

That sneeze should have won an Oscar.

I'm so glad I saw this on RU-vid. The movie is fantastic!

Its incredible how much sheer talent is oozing out of this movie but how little its really talked about

Need to start making movies like this again.

I am a Napoleonic War history nut and I just love this movie

So beautyfully shot . One can see Ridley Scotts film advertising history in his early work . He worked in film advertising early in his career before he went into films. Attention to detail is everything and highly stylised . I only stumbled across it some 25 years ago. I often wondered how i missed that gem as an old film buff !

Overlooked, underrated film. The whole short film is just great. Seen it once or twice. There are messages in it .

The 19th century version of "You stepped on my Timbs."

This is why they outlawed dueling. so many good men who's lives were lost for nothing.

Went to fencing class in May 2023 and I learned this is true sword fight.

Many of those duels were to "1st blood" not to the death.

I haven't yet scene this movie, but the duel scenes I've watches remind me very much of Kubrick's camerawork, in particular Barry Lyndon of course.

The duel ending attack comes from old sword books. This attack will also be teached in modern military combat knife/bayonet training. Bending downwards until the free hand reaches the ground and then attack with an upward thrust. This attack is difficult to parry and especially effective for thrusting weapons. I have a video from around 1890, in which this attack is demonstrated with sabers.

Superb photography, acting, costumes and sword fencing. It is disgraceful that film wasn't even nominated for an Oscar. Costumes??? WTF?! Keitel was just outstanding, one of his best roles.

I haven't seen this for years but has always stuck in my mind. shows how good it really is.

I love how the swords ring when they hit each other. Most movie swords sound like metal yardsticks clashing together.

It's pretty badass how he didn't strike him when he had to sneeze.

I'm happy to say I have this movie in my DVD collection and watch it at least once a year.

Brilliant movie. The emotions feel so real. Keitel's character is irrational but totally realistic.

Where do I begin? Superb acting, excellent choreography and gorgeously shot. This film is incredible, I cannot believe it was shot in 1977.

man, those uniforms are slick af!

i accidently started turned to this movie and was hooked. i loved this movie. made me a fan of THIS Carradine and Keitel ,both

THIS IS ONE..JUST ONE..OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE MOVIE'S..

The grey uniforms are definitely 3rd Hussars. I think the green ones are 7th Hussars. Don't remember if they ever said in the movie. It's been a while since I saw it.

The hussars uniforms make this movie so much more interesting

Watched this last night - fantastic film!

A beautifully shot movie & so different from the usual Hollywood fare of sword and spear movies, I kept thinking how almost all the outdoor scenes looked like classic paintings you see in museums.

This is really good film but these comments are so insufferable…

Sneazing!! When Adrenalin rushes in the high intense situations a human is unable to sneaze.

So I ask a quwstion here, after rewatching this , tense and on edge moment. Why Can't you do this anymore? Simple human moments and great story telling!!! ]

What a movie, what a scene, just outstanding.

scholagladiatoria made a great analysis on this.

I remember watching this at about 16 and has stayed with me to this day and agree that hussars were the finest dressed of all.

Beautiful film. Well done Mr Scott❤️👌

No matter how many times I watch it, it still seems fresh and amusing...

What stunning cinematography for the 1970s. Clean, balanced warm but not blurry. Loved the filters.

Charlie Murphy on duels: Even back in the day when slapping a man was fashionable like back in Paris, you’d walk up to a man and slap him WHOSH-PAH!! I challenge you a duel! Someone had to die after that.

I was a teenager watching this movie for the first time in the late 90's. I almost choked on my food when that guy said "there's no need to bear a grudge." 🤣

Underrated flick. Great cinematography. Great lighting.