The Duellists is, as has often been said, a masterpiece. For me, pretty much flawless. Napoleon is not a patch on it. Having seen it once, I have no desire to see it again. I've watched The Duellists once a year since I first saw it on BBC2, in the early 1980s. I will continue to do so.
As a narrative I did not feel it was particularly strong. But in the visual aspect, I concur it was as if it were a classic painting brought to motion. Kieth mentioned sumptuous, a very apropos word.
Funny.. I just saw making of Barry Lyndon, and wrote there is only one other movie that has captured the period, as it is. It's frame by frame almost a picture as we see the pictures were made in the time it's depicted.
By coincidence the same actress plays the girl friend of Harvey Keitel in the opening of "Duellists" and Ryan O Neil's in the opening of "Barry Lyndon"
At the time this came out , I was beginning training as an academic fencer, so I went to see it. This was also before I also became an actor, which I eventually performed many roles onstage with blades. Now, when I watch this film, it means so much more to me and this documentary simply blew me away. My gratitude for showing this is never ending.
His entire family were so well-trained and disciplined as actors, starting with the amazing father, John Carridine. I love watching Walter Hill's "The Long Riders" to see the Carradines as the Cole brothers, the Keach boys as the James brothers, the Quaids as the Millers and the Guest sons as the Ford brothers. Perfect casting for the James-Younger Gang.
One of the BEST Ridley Scott films. I bought it on VHS because I SO loved ALIEN and BLADE RUNNER... And I LOVED it. If you love Scott, you really, really. REALLY need to see this. Almost half a century later, it remains one of Scott's very best movies.
The accomplishments of Ridley Scott just boggles the mind! To showcase such a masterpiece as your entry into the world of cinematography shows very clearly that one is in the presence of genius! Even now (2023) at the age of 85 he is still in top form presenting a new film almost every two years. He has almost 30 films to his name and everyone has been stunning!
I think he's a good judge of scripts - he seems to almost always be in good films. I can only remember once seeing him in a bad film, can't remember what it was. Another reliable indicator is John Cusack - if he's in it it will be worth watching.
First saw it by chance in HBO in 1984 in my hotel in Charleston, SC, while waiting for my military flight to Germany the next day. I was back then an army captain. This film is in one word, “glorious”. Hardly found in streaming services anymore so I bough my own copy. Looking as a big budget film and being the opposite, it is a great example of mastery of film making by one of the top film directors of all time. A CLASSIC!🎉
Keith Carradine is one of the best, under-appreciated actors out there. I’d like to see more of his talent shown these days. He’s always been an amazing man, kind and well-spoken. I’d love to see him in the new Amazon production for Warhammer 40,000, along with Henry Cavill.
Veteran actor Keith Carradine was superb in the role of Armand d'Hubert . Interesting the film was made for very little money and how Keith says it helped with the quality of the film which is a testament to the director and everyone else involved . He even mentions how having an unlimited budget is not always a good thing . Very good overview of the film by Keith .
Whenever there’s another remake of “Three Musketeers” everybody knows who wrote the book. Such great story as the one told in “The Duelists” also deserves to mention the creator of the original novel. Without his talent and ability to masterfully use English, which was not his native language, without his legendary attention to detail, there would be one masterpiece of cinematography less. The story was researched and written by none other than Joseph Conrad aka Józef Korzeniowski. Great story chosen by great director certainly led here to choosing the right cast and crew. And then to abundance of truly artistic results.
Just came across this interview and had to post a comment to support what others have already said. The Duellists is a masterpiece of film making and Keith Carradine did a wonderful job of recalling so many fine details of the making of the movie. Keith is a truly humble and excellent gentleman and actor, and this interview has helped reinforce the love I already have for the movie. His shout out to Bill Hobbs was particularly appreciated by me as I have collected a number of movies over the years specifically because Bill did the fight choreography. Finally, for anyone who hasn't watched The Duellists, do yourself a favour and watch it, and then maybe do yourself a further favour and watch Barry Lyndon.
One of the most beautiful aspects of this film are the set piece scene openings where the actors and the set are arranged as in an oil painting. True excellence in a directorial debut and on such a low budget too. Magnificent.
Keith's recollection of the production of this film was so eloquent and to the point. As if they just wrapped filming it. Very humble and offering high praise to his craft, coworkers and production crew. You'd be hard pressed to find a modern actor that could come across as genuine and articulate as Keith. Truly a master performer.
What a very nice way to put it Mr. "Trucking to Please"! I do agree 100% with you. The whole cast was magnificent and I think this was Riddley Scott's finest film ever. The incredibly beautiful photography and the atmospheric effects remind me of "Barry Lyndon"
I've always loved this film ... in my top 30 ... extraordinary what was achieved on such a small budget ... very gracious & articulate commentary from Keith Carradine.
Keith Carradine has all right to be proud of this role and movie, it is imo a perfect movie. Story, visuals, cast, acting, music, costumes, dueling - all in balance. Listening to his background story makes me appreciate it even more. One of if not my favorite movie of all time.
Always had a great appreciation for this film as a reenactor. 7 years war as opposed to Napoleonic, but still. Really great 3/4 of a century that doesn't get too much attention.
A great movie, in the Seventies and today. Beautiful locations, sets, costumes, great actors and an amazing story. It's based on a true story which is even more important.
This is in my opinion one of the best ever short films of Ridley Scotts work. As an ardent fan of Scott and Mr Carradine, I am as he indicated in this film a cineist with a copy of the film on DVD.
The only thing I would point out about this wonderful interview, is that at 14:10 when Keith Carradine is talking about Christina Raines playing the role of Adele, whoever edited it often confuses Raines with Diana Quick, who plays Laura (D'Hubert's former girlfriend).
Excellent. Thank you daedolon and thanks also the Kieth carradine for that superb commentary. It IS a masterful piece, and Kieths other work, most notably with Alan Rudolph into the 80's deserves a few detailed looks also. I for one would love to hear his comments on much of his back catalogue. He clearly has a sense of perspective often either lacking or hidden under layers of ego when compared to other actors of his time. Thanks again... xxx ;-)
I saw it twice. I would like to let Keith Carradine know how much I love to watch in the movies. Because hse said he doesn't like to see himself. I adore! Such a great and charming actor.
1977…I am on a TWA flight to New York. First time ever to the USA, very approximate English and the movie on board is……the Duellists. It made such an impression on me that when VCR started I bought the tape. When DVD players appeared, I bought the DVD and even bought the book relating to the story and was the was the base of the script. This movie is a milestone in my life. As to New York…..well….I became an airline pilot and lost track of how many times I crossed the Atlantic……..flying the plane. This interview is a gem and I agree, the Brits have a wealth of fantastic actors.
@@Johnconno he said Christina Raines (which was his girlfriend back then) who played Adele in the movie. Diana Quick played his other lover in the movie named Laura.
I love the one perfect line in the film where a Royalist, newly returned to power after Napoleon's fall, calls D'Hubert on his career with the Emperor's army and infers that in D'Hubert's new rank in the restoration Bourbon army he's being something of an opportunist. He questions how easily D'Hubert has apparently embraced the return of the monarchy. And D'Hubert, who is quite aware of the beliefs of former Napoleonic officers who are now serving the King, pauses briefly and then says "You will find more realists than Royalists in the Army." He knows those Bonapartists are still professional soldiers...who rationally know that Napoleon is gone now...and if they want to remain in the military, they have to support the restored regime, even if they look at it with some disdain.
What an amazing level of insight and detail. I hadn't considered that much the post imperial lot of those that had been devoted to Napoleon. Lots of period details in what seems an epic historical film centered on two protagonists. It's amazing how he describes making a small budget go into recreating such a world. He is very gracious in describing the efforts of everyone involved.
Top film. It was as if the cast and camera were back there in the past. I especially like the duel on horseback. When Gabriel Feraud came into sight it was like looking at a historical print coming to life. Something about the horse, so collected and nimble, and the rider looking at one with the horse was so impressive. I liked that line Albert Finney spoke. I might not remember it correctly '"As you know, I'm something of a survivor myself" Fouche' What an understatement from a man steeped in blood and the terror of the French revolution.
Total Masterpiece of a Film,and one my favourites....Ridley Scott Total Genius...The sets and period dress was Beautiful,plus the female characters exquisite....Good interview,I’m even Learning about Napoleonic History,in terms of style and filmography,it hasn’t aged...Excellent Stuff 👍👍👍👍👏👏👏
