the duellists (1977) - third duel

The Duellists is a 1977 historical drama film that was Ridley Scott's first feature film as a director. It won the Best Debut Film award at the 1977 Cannes Film Festival. The basis of the screenplay is the Joseph Conrad short story The Duel (titled Point of Honor in the United States) published in A Set of Six. (1)
first lines: (Narrator) The duellists demands satisfaction. Honour, for him, is an appetite. This story is about an eccentric kind of hunger. It is a true story and begins in the year that Napoleon Bonaparte became ruler of France. (2)
trivia: www.imdb.com/ti...
(1) en.wikipedia.or...
(2) www.imdb.com/ti...
fair use -

[@anomalyp8584]

Very visceral vibe with this duel. No glory, just blood, sweat, exhaustion and adrenaline. All fanciness and technique are gone out the window. Deep down in the cellar there is no glamour, there is only life or death.

[@zephyrthewoderdog]

It’s brilliant how they are fairly equally matched skill wise and keep changing weapons throughout the years to finally settle their feud. Fencing foils, now sabres, now on horseback, pistols next time. I was waiting for them to start using cannons by the end of the film.

[@brandonkey181]

yes they are both equally sloppy

[@brendanzhang7488]

@@brandonkey181 at the end due to all the minor wounds

[@byrne8509]

@@brandonkey181 you are an idiot. they're both looking sloppy when fighting here because theyre both exhausted and in extreme pain due to all of the cuts and flesh wounds. the only thing thats keeping them going is the will not to die. how can you not fucking see that?

[@aussiewanderer6304]

And a deleted scene has them crossing sabres in the urinal.

[@ahabduennschitz7670]

@@brandonkey181 You never were in a fight your entire life, could that be?

[@publiusventidiusbassus1232]

d'Hubert's flap of flesh dangling off his shoulder is one of the most gruesome things I've seen in a movie. It is not super gory or bloody, but it adds that slight level of realism that most films avoid, it makes you feel the real weight of violence.

[@yoinky]

If this was real I think he would have dropped his sword and been unable to lift his arm higher than his waist line the second his deltoid got chopped in half

[@kinbolluck476]

​@kaisenleong yeah I tend towards agree. But it *is* the middle delt. The actor is also acting that part of it out as well after

[@Zohan2508]

It's just a flesh wound... lol @@yoinky

[@whoisgtsdk]

I can agree. If you've ever gotten an injury like that, even on a small scale, when you see it it instantly gives you a visceral reaction of "I fucked up."

[@danfors1333]

@@whoisgtsdk if you're fighting for your life with heart at maximum bpm and full of adrenalin you would hardly feel any pain at all, just desperation to survive.

[@jmdudley3859]

I took up fencing after watching this ! Now my backyard and front yard are all fenced in !

[@hardpack187]

BOOO!!

[@Offbeaten]

Good idea, should keep these kinds of looneys running around with swords out.

[@Invinciblez18]

I also took it up. Sold my idiot next door neigbours jewelry for good money. I'm very proud...

[@huntergrant6520]

I went to a cockfight and I was sorely disappointed. Six months of training completely wasted.

[@rustysancho2578]

I only came here to like your comment.

[@alasdairmackintosh]

I love that there was no music in the duels. It allows the viewer to feel however they want

[@HULKHOGAN1]

That must be what makes them so tense

[@FangedBeauty]

I was wondering why the fight scenes in this movie were more intense than others. It never occurred to me it was the lack of music, but it makes total sense. Thnx for sharing!

[@PropaneWP]

There's music in the first and the fourth duel

[@diollinebranderson6553]

@@FangedBeauty Also because the camera doesnt cut every second like with most modern action films thus we have consistenvu

[@jcavs9847]

Every movie now seems to have a need for a constant soundtrack...

[@SenoSasquatch]

"I'm not hurt!" - Man with Deltoid Hanging Like a Sliced Pork Chop

[@Hibernicus1968]

That was Ferraud saying I'm not hurt. d'Hubert was the one with his shoulder sliced.

[@tassie7325]

'Tis but a flesh wound" Monty Python 😆

[@shalashaska615]

@@tassie7325 shall we call it a draw?

[@Lumpiq786]

it wasn't deltoid, it was a skin. Still pretty brutal tho

[@Felix-Sited]

"Are they dying?" Is probably what you should have zoned in on.

[@seablue]

i like the people hanging out in the background like in street fighter II

[@JacOfArts]

seablue they just need to be fist-pumping and that image is complete

[@eternapesadilla2355]

Totally

[@afiqsince86]

street fighter is a realistic depiction of street fighting ya nob

[@mnomadvfx]

Seconds, thirds and a bunch of people drawn by the noise and evidence of a fight in progress, it's human nature to be curious about these things.

[@normanroscher7545]

Damn, did you have to say this? Now I have got Guile's theme as a catchy tune in my ear. :-] Imagine dubbing it over this fight! ^^ EDIT: Lol, I have just done it by playing the MP3 in the background, it works really great! :-D And the overdriven screams of the guys falling out the window fit the old 16-bit sound so well, too. :-)

[@WallKenshiro]

One of the many things I love about this fantastic film is how both of the characters in these duels look like they are actually trying to kill eachother, defending themselves from being killed, and how they become accordingly fatigued. Only a handful of movies, from both East and West, get these things right.

[@kinbolluck476]

Erect

[@tonyenglish5153]

Alas, if one of them died; who would the other fight??

[@DevotedDisciple-x]

The King did well at this too.

[@MrSaerrock]

There's a Polish film with a similar authenticity

[@Magneticlaw]

And the nervousness and fear

[@kellimon3517]

Anyone who's done high school wrestling knows how it feels to be struggling with another person _until you are this exhausted._

[@UrsaMajorPrime]

Never more exhausted in my life, wrestling, and I survived USMC boot camp. Dave Cerone, will never forget that coaches name. Great fun and incredibly entertaining science teacher as well as the most brutal and sadistic man that ever put me through the drills.

[@steveoconnor7069]

Wrestling & boxing wore me out more than the 5 marathons I've run.

[@lilrara1291]

Boxing too

[@TheAlwards]

Generally, a human has a high intensity battery which drains in 30 seconds - after 30 seconds of all-out fighting, you have to back away. What's terrifying about a fight with a wrestler is that they have a 34-second battery, a far bigger advantage than it sounds.

[@georgemorley1029]

@@lilrara1291 That drains your calves of all their energy. I remember my calves being incredibly sore after boxing.

[@vpalos]

The sheer power of immersion of this movie is staggering. It's like the writer didn't even think about the viewers, just about the goal of his characters. This makes you get into the story immediately. Remarkable film!

[@cosmomontanaro5759]

Still the best dueling film as of 2024.

[@ianexcalibur7096]

This film inspired me to take up fencing, now I'm in my early fifties and finally achieved my dream, to fence for GB even if it for the veteran squad.

[@bobsherwood4537]

Congratulations!

[@soppdrake]

👍

[@eternapesadilla2355]

Awesome. I practice fencing with a friend. I want to practice with real functional sharpened weapons too. I encourage you to do so aswell.

[@DJVARAO]

Great story Ian. I get inspired by this movie as well in so many levels, but fencing. But I got a Kendo sword as a gift that will put me in that track. Thanks for sharing.

[@merccadoosis8847]

@Ian Excalibur Outstanding post. I am considerably older than you, took up fencing in my youth, had great fun, and did rather well in the short period of time in which I practiced this challenging and artistic sport. Alas, I was not able to continue as my family's finances were so desperately poor. Like you I greatly enjoyed this superb and inspiring movie. Sadly, it has never garnered the popularity it richly deserves in the USA. Still, one cannot deny that it is an artistic gem. Glad to know others have enjoyed and have been inspired by this wonderful movie.

[@MrKuma2094]

They let them flail away with sabers until they are both gassed, but the second it breaks down into the fist fight that probably could have stopped them dueling once and for all...no no that is just too uncivilized, we can't have that!

[@MrKuma2094]

National Socialism Oh I know the story and its compelling. Big fan of Aaron Burr myself.

[@MrKuma2094]

National Socialism don't know about that, just love that he clapped up Hamilton.

[@MrKuma2094]

National Socialism what a Chad. New respect for the man. Thanks for the lesson.

[@jackcoleman1784]

I think the implied reason they stopped them was actually supposed to be that they were obviously evenly matched and that by that point who ever would have won would have won more out of chance and circumstance than skill. That's just how I always interpreted the scene.

[@richardjames1812]

Seconds had the responsibility to end the duel in situations like this. In the earlier duels, they did the same (chest wound in 2nd duel, head wound in 4th duel).

[@hexxon77]

One of my favorite films ever! "I am not hurt!" Harvey Keitel is just brilliant. He should be nominated for Academy Award for that role.

[@stt5v2002]

The scene is good and realistic because it shows fatigue, desperation, and the cumulative effects of small wounds. A real duel does not play out like most Hollywood depictions. It is much more like this. The combatants are similarly skilled (if they were not, a duel would not be agreed to). If the duel is to the death, a fighter will try to tire out his opponent and inflict small wounds before going for a disabling or killing blow. It is like a heavyweight boxing match. You cannot just walk into your opponent with a hay maker when he is fresh. You have to break down his defenses first. Small wounds and bleeding as well as fatigue will turn a skilled swordsman into a desperate scared adrenaline fueled amateur. When he is vulnerable you can go for the knockout blow without fear of a devastating counter.

[@Sergei_Ivanovich_Mosin]

+Steven Turner Actually a real due would generally be over in less than a minute, hell, most would be over in 10-20 seconds

[@TheMissingno]

On what evidence are you basing these assertions?

[@rorymacleod9291]

Observation, exception is when you have two very skilled defensive fighters who do well against aggressive fighters.

[@Is523APrimeNumber]

I confirm from personal experience. Around 30 seconds - 1 minute if it's to the first blood, a few minutes if it's to the death.

[@michailtavonius3360]

Keitel's character is better in the second duel, true. Now in the second duel they were using smallswords, thrusting implements. Whenever I fought foil or even HEMA-rapier against a sabreur wielding a foil or a rapier himself, I would win, whenever I fought a sabreur with both of us using sabers, I would lose. Granted, they are both Hussars, so they should be skilled with sabers, but maybe Keitel's character is simply better with a smallsword (he is lithe and fast, yet short, Carradine's is tall and very likely physically stronger) and a Napoleonic cavalry saber is quite a hefty weapon. Based on the hilt it might be a Light Cavalry Trooper's sabre, 0,8-1,0 kg. A French smallsword weighs around 0,4-0,6 kg.

[@artistaprimus7080]

A great scene showing the reality of fighting untill they are exhausted. The story is based on two real French officers who fought each other for twenty years. Amazing.

[@psychopates]

Yes, François Fournier and Pierre Dupont

[@Ikaros23]

Who need’s national enemies, when one has so good friends 😂

[@SicketMog]

If they're French then GAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYY!!!

[@daverage4729]

Always thought this forth fight with heavy sabres was savage. They were really going for it and the exhaustion of the characters shows it. Great scene.

[@whisperware]

As they stagger around, fine clothes tattered and bloodied, they resemble nothing of the gentlemen they claim to be once the heat of their grudge in the fight is too exhausted to fan the flames of combat. They stumble around like common beasts of the wood. Powerful scene

[@hazardeur]

ever seen a beast "stumble around" like that?

[@mynameudste]

​@@hazardeurOnes nearing the end of their life

[@drewhammond5203]

The transition of d'Hubert wiping the message from his sword into the next fight with Faraud is killer. It's simple, but it really implies that, without even stating, this is a man who doesn't care if he lives or dies any more. He keeps fighting, beyond exhaustion, with the same fervour as his opponent, because he's probably feeling rather empty, fueled by nothing but a restrained rage. Great stuff that he masters himself throughout the film, only slumping to Faraud's level once at his most vulnerable.

[@yegenek]

To all keyboard fencing experts there, do not expect a realistic scene to be like Lord of the Rings or Star Wars!.. the fight choreographer of this movie is William Hobbs, who is a master fencer and expert on military history and swordfighting. His main focus is realism and he choreoraphed a lot of movies from 60's till today including Rob Roy, Three Musketeers, Man in the Iron Mask, Count of Monte Cristo, Duellists, Cyrano De Bergerac, Hamlet and many others.

[@metamorphicorder]

Rob roy was spectacular. Must rewatch now. Tim roth is an amazing bad guy.

[@theodosioskantasmd7388]

yea yea shut the fuck up the fight isn't remotely realistic.

[@eternapesadilla2355]

Nuff said

[@BeggarsNight]

theodosis kantas we all want to see your resume. Must be superior to Hobbs’s in every way.

[@thomasmusso1147]

@@theodosioskantasmd7388 Said from behind the Keyboard in your Grandmother's Basement.

[@oldfrend]

wow. been a huge ridley scott fan since i saw bladerunner and legend as a kid. can't believe it took me 30 years to finally see this one; one of his best.

[@M0rmagil]

Scott is a bit uneven, but whatever he directs always looks great.

[@VonTwinzig]

My favourite film of all time, period. Still got the DVD even though you can stream just about everything. Daft really. Great movie making from one of the best.

[@tripod206]

Probably one of the most accurate portrayals of dueling in cinema. I read a book on famous sword duels in history. It was both enlightening and disappointing. My perception of sword duels was that they were highly regimented, elegant affairs - almost like dancing. I now know virtually every serious sword duel ever fought ended with each man desperately grasping the other many sword while rolling round in the mud.

[@Tacti_cat]

I'm sure technique was held up too a certain point with trading blows, parries, etc. However after a time you care less what you were taught and more that the man Infront of you is still standing.

[@darkherostar]

it seems....Cardio Days are a MUST with sword dueling as much as it is now with MMA. Once you get tired, your techniques will start to fail. I can see them starting to just throw shots out with each heavy breath. You can see the same effect in a MMA match. I'd imagine the guy who has the greater stamina than the other will be the one who would most likely win.

[@moriarty3160]

I doubt a lot such light cavalry sabers would have been used for a duel. It is heavy and unbalanced as fuck, it was designed to slash the enemy's infantry from an horse without so much swinging. Look as they need two hands to swing their sabers. Two French officers from Napoleonic time would have used pistolets.

[@edersonnico]

@@moriarty3160 If I am not wrong, the challenged had the right to choose the weapons used, so choosing a cavalry saber would make sense if one thinks it will be more cumbersome to his opponent than to himself. There are manual showing duels made even with farming tools.

[@M0rb]

@@moriarty3160 What’s interesting in this scene is that we are given no introduction whatsoever. We can only guess that, given that they are in uniform with their matching saber, they would fight as such on the spot, just like their first duel. Besides, these hussar sabers (An IV or so), although very different from the small swords they’re using in their second duel, are far from heavy an unbalanced, and perfectly capable in such a situation. Although I don’t believe that expert swordsmen would two hand a sabre and systematicaly swipe wide like that even at the top of their exhaustion, I do agree that this makes for a great scene that perfectly conveys the intensity, rawness and exhaustion of a longing duel where both duelists can’t seem to take over one another.

[@paulsmith1981]

The real duellist this story is based on were both as keen as mustard to continue duelling each other, they even exchanged letters congratulating each other on promotions, only an up coming wedding made one of them decide to stop.

[@johnoneill2986]

The desperation and exhaustion they would have felt in this fantastic scene was brilliantly conveyed!

[@Sensorium19]

I love this film. The way it matter-of-factly views its characters from outside is something I deeply appreciate. So few film let you take in the experience so just being there.

[@garyrosson4818]

Rage and exhaustion causes technique and discipline to go by the wayside. That is why this scene is realistic. This movie gets it.

[@Dang3rMouSe]

Was looking for this comment. So true & it beautifully stands opposite to their prior duel where we saw more technique & form with the fight ending earlier. I felt this sabre duel symbolized more of a giving into primal hatred & instinct in terms of how the director began showing it after they had already both been wounded & exhausted

[@ismayilarifoglu6226]

The duellists movie is one of the greatest movies ever made and still underestimated due to tons of shitshow released. It is like a gem covered with sand.

[@chardtomp]

I've always loved this movie. It's loosely based on an actual feud between two of Napolean's officers who fought a number of duels over the course of several years. It only ended when one of them was killed in battle.

[@rudolphschmidt313]

I was under the impression it ended similar to how it did in the movie

[@chardtomp]

@@rudolphschmidt313 The real life situation ended in much freakier fashion. One of the officers was hit in the head by a cannon ball during a cavalry charge and a chunk of his skull flew back and hit the other one in the eye, blinding him in that eye for the rest of his life.

[@rudolphschmidt313]

@chardtomp Would you mind giving a source for that? I've been trying to find what you're talking about and I can't all I could find was this: "It all came to an end when he successfully bested him in a duel and made Fournier promise to leave him alone. And that was that. Pierre Dupont de l’Étang lived into retirement, whereas Fournier died at the age of 53."

[@chardtomp]

@@rudolphschmidt313 I don't actually remember. I read that years ago when the movie was more current. I think it was in a military history magazine. The story was probably based on more than one set of individuals. The French army was rife with petty feuds between officers. I'll see if I can find that reference though.

[@eisaatana96]

In this comments section: lonely neckbeards pretending they know a single thing about historical sword fencing

[@FedeArgentina]

Yea, I wonder why they dont shave that shit

[@CoffeeSnep]

@@FedeArgentina *BECAUSE IT'S COLD AS SANTA'S FROSTY TAINT UP HERE IN THE WINTER!!!*

[@MajesticSkywhale]

sorry, but, who else would have the time to read medieval combat manuals for pleasure? they're probably the world's foremost experts

[@sirphineasluciusambercromb9114]

Nay. I shan't disagree with thee, thou acerbic wretch.

[@vividius7951]

I love how skill and drill is out of the window and the fight has devolved into swinging at each other like a couple of angry drunks

[@DeAlpineBro]

The best film Scott has ever made!

[@jasonmcmillan4373]

The movie masterfully demonstrated the difference between a rapier duel & a cutlass/sabre style duel as shown here. To most dramatically demonstrate that difference the third duel is seen at it's desperate end instead of the start. Both combatants tired, both from swinging a far heavier sword designed for cleaving and cutting in great sweeping arcs & their injuries so far sustained, they desperately swing away trying to bring an end to the other as well as the duel. Although not definitively confirmed in the storyline anywhere, I believe the danger of each duel escalates throughout the movie at the wishes of Feraud as his hatred for d'Hubert grows. No longer content with just restoration of honour, he wishes to kill d'Hubert and nothing else will satisfy. Though the rapier was as deadly as it came amongst swords, the potential for a duel to be ended with a fairly superficial stab wound (as seen in the second duel) seems to lead to an escalation to slashing weapons through which Feraud no doubt hopes to 'end him rightly'. :) No pommels required.

[@richardcaves3601]

Correct, see the DVD commentary

[@raymondellis5104]

If you've ever fought another man in a pugil pit, in Alabama, in August, in the best shape of your life...and could no longer make your arms work after 3 minutes this is the real deal. To pit all of your energy against another, and have him pushing right back is probably the most taxing thing I have ever done.

[@FieldMarshalRommel23]

Agreed, if you're fighting a well matched man it's extremely taxing. If you don't exercise regularly you won't last 60 seconds before exhaustion.

[@dms79]

Fort McClellan? Yep lol

[@johnnydaggers7649]

@@FieldMarshalRommel23 cool story bro

[@MrKilakilo]

Love tap to the head

[@tommyblackwell3760]

Fort Sill in August, but otherwise yeah.

[@Bread_45]

My Dad showed me this film when I was about 14. I thought it was going to be a boring historical drama... boy was I wrong! Great actors and great fight scenes, truly a classic.

[@giusepperometta2634]

Uno dei più bei film dell epoca Napoleonica .....fotografia ,musica , attori ......un capolavoro .....

[@goodwinter6017]

this is why slash and cutting is effective to a point, you just tire youself out easily.

[@juanpardo9547]

Even they know the fight isn’t supposed to drag this long.

[@user-cj4hk8lr1v]

You can feel in the back how the whole Napoleon time go through the movie. Excellent film!

[@orlando9321]

"None of this would have happened if you hadn't obeyed your orders and made me leave that party!"

[@johnkidwell4866]

This movie gets it right. It's not some fancy lightsaber duel or some noble fantasy battle between equals; its two men legitimately trying to kill the other while fatigued, out of breath from trying to hack another man to pieces, sweating and nearly vomiting from exertion, anxiety and fear, while also fighting through pain through hatred and anger alone. It's not supposed to pretty or noble; its man behaving in its lowest form, and despite the age of the film, shows it probably as close to reality as a movie can.

[@TeodorChomiak]

Dobra opinia . Myślę tak samo .

[@oscarpretell5738]

I’ve watched this movie many times, and I love it every time.

[@joenic4303]

I love the sparks when the blade hit the stone wall.

[@StuSaville]

This is what happens when the guy who yells *FINISH HIM!!* forgets to turn up to the fight...

[@samcostello2861]

I love movies like this and Rob Roy - movies that show sword fighting for the gruelingly strenuous activity that it is.

[@phunkracy]

2:39 Feraud still tries to kick D'Hubert while on the ground xddd

[@OGslimtim]

GOD the sparks at 1:16 is amazing.

[@Breadking100]

Scene reminiscent of the final duel in Rob Roy (or I should say Rob Roy is reminiscent of this). Also one of the best sword duels ever filmed.

[@Treebsquire]

This and Rob Roy have the most realistic duels ever put to film

[@ered203]

I need to get me an enemy like this, someone who really understands me. It seems like there would be such clarity. Instead of hating everyone, I could just really focus it all on one person.

[@KairatIbrayev]

Anyone doubting this scene, just spar at least for three rounds with boxing gloves and you'll have some understanding, it's even hard just to keep your hands up, if you're really engaged in fighting.

[@officialluckyturn]

Indeed do it once a week 6 duels in a row for 1.30 each and 30 secs break with gloves and helmet ... it exhausts like cracy

[@officialluckyturn]

@@hammurabii.3173 trust me it is

[@slugg7503]

Lucky Turn try using only 16 oz any time you train. It doesn’t really do too much but you’ll experience less fatigue while sparring. My dad made sure I never used any size other than 16 oz since I started training. Now I can keep my hands up through the whole session no matter how many rounds. Although I’ve been training most my life. But I’m sure within less than a year anyone can get used to 16 oz

[@Kelly14UK]

Lol. This fight reminds me of my old KZbin arguments

[@commentconnoisseur1001]

It is nothing like that. You cannot compare such things. One costed lives, you know.

[@robbiebrown2002]

yes, I may indeed have the triple gay but: the battle of the Somme reminds me of my roblox fights

[@andreashort310]

@@commentconnoisseur1001 It was a joke. Just accept that people joke about things you take seriously. Joking about something doesn't mean unawareness of the gravity of the situation.

[@eternapesadilla2355]

Yes... they never end do they.

[@philosopher1a]

LOL

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

Never out of my top ten favourite films since I saw it on its release. Every frame an oil painting.

[@bristleconepinus2378]

I love northern France. Beautifully framed, perfect season & time of day in each shot. Kinetic art.

[@moumounini2790]

Those scenes are wonderful. Never seen something like that before. I couldn't easily breathe as i was watching this fight.

[@sarthakchakrabarti9502]

Just like The Godfather and Blade Runner it doesn't feel like movie of 70s. The colours are very natural. So ahead of its time imagery

[@hungrynelly2669]

I like how the officers fight themselves instead of sending their troops to fight for them.

[@robinbeavan5152]

When you fight like this exhaustion numbs the pain but the mind must stay focused. You carry one by sheer gameness each moment seems like slow motion you wait for the mistake that will make you the one who wins the match.

[@anthonypapiccio2045]

most people have never even exercised, let alone fought, no understanding of how combat really feels. this was great

[@halleck3]

Hell of a lot more realistic than most Hollywood fights, where someone just kicks almighty ass for ten minutes. In a fight with this much adrenaline going, people tire themselves out. Happens quick, too - I've been exhausted inside of four minutes. But you never see that, because it's just not considered glamorous.

[@username-tp6dq]

It's also a lot more boring

[@TheGodParticle]

I was very fit in my mid 20's and used to train in thai kick boxing, but getting in the ring sparring for 3 minutes absolutely killed me lol

[@halleck3]

@@TheGodParticle Exactly man. I did amateur for a bit... I might've lasted a two-minute round before I was panting like a dog!

[@SemperSalam]

I just finished watching "the second dual" how the hell did we get to this point from there?

[@BeggarsNight]

harry dixson D’Hubert trained maniacally after the second duel to improve his skills. Hence, this fight where it’s implied that they’re such a match for each other that they’re both about to keel over from exhaustion.

[@tiffsaver]

A merciful... draw. Not much "glory" in beating each other to death, is there?

[@italianduded1161]

this movie is so good and realistic I would watch it thousand times and still want to watch it

[@rubenlarochelle1881]

The duels in this movie are so accurate that I have the impression that for this scene the director made the two actors run 10km in 30 minutes to then film this right after

[@gronizherz3603]

having fought in martial arts, you get panting like that faster than you would think. the alternative is losing, after you fought so hard and trained for so very long to get here, losing is not an option. I imagine that feeling is even more intense when it's regarding your life too..

[@alvaricoke41]

I found interesting how both make the other lose balance several times but they were too tired to finish him.

[@jadawin10]

the duel rules formally prohibited hitting a fighter on the ground ...

[@thefearedESK]

When you're in combat they tell you to be loose. Because every fiber of your being is on edge. Ready to react. Being this tense is extremely exhausting focusing on not being hurt is extremely exhausting.

[@LandersWorkshop]

The wisdom speaks....

[@Valor06]

Damn I wish more movie sword fights were like this!

[@DanBeech-ht7sw]

Apparently the movie is simply based on a fictional short story by Joseph Conrad called "the Duel"

[@sanjithd3343]

That book is based on the real events of two French officers in the Napoleonic wars though.

[@DanBeech-ht7sw]

@@sanjithd3343 perhaps.... inspired by?

[@sanjithd3343]

@@DanBeech-ht7sw yea, I think inspired by is a better word. Much like how the Master and Commander novels were inspired by real Napoleonic era captains.

[@sethguest781]

I would certainly expect this of a Hussar given how they were so lethal in combat. For them, even a duel is a battle.

[@TheAirmacguy]

Damn I see more actiona and intensity than a lightsaber dual. LMAO Bravo!!!

[@JonasHilty]

I love that comment about taking up fencing after seeing this sword fight , now I got my back yard fenced-in? Seeing it ,I do remember this sword fight , I remember that bottle being with a sword , it may have been my sword that hit the bottle...

[@scottmiller5201]

Some of you are missing the part that class played in the duel (actually they fought 20 times in a period of 19 years) Caradine's historical counterpart (Dupont) was a willing participant in the feud as was Keitel's (Fournier). Fournier was a rabid Jacobite during the French Revolution and Dupont minor nobility. Both got into serious trouble during their military careers, although not for dueling. When Bonaparte started to promote military acumen rather than class. There were obvious problems in the officer corps. Fournier's rage reflected this. His obsession with honor was certainly a driving force during the feud. The duels were very realistic as far as what I have read concerning actual confrontations. Many times as in most fights whether it is with fists, clubs, etc. It comes down to wrestling and doing what is needed to win. One of Ridley's best. The costumes were correct as we see the uniform changes over the two decades this occurred during.

[@billdoster9415]

okay how in the world does this film look so good 44 years later?????

[@statemachine4323]

I want to add to the notion of fatigue between the two... My Father was a superb athlete - when he joined the Navy in WWII, he became a boxer - he described to me the agony of simply holding his arms up for three rounds (9 minutes). It was totally exhausting.

[@diosdadoapias]

This film has some cinematic effects on the way the fight with swords. Like one swing his sword and miss his opponent who will not react quickly to thrust or slash on the opened defense of the attacker. The attacker almost tumbled with his word touchingbthe ground and the other havingbhs sword ready and did not thrust or swung his sword in retaliation , it reacted after the other recovered.

[@christopherhall5361]

that's what fighting is really like, exhausting, there's no flipping around with lightning fists for 5 minutes you want to collapse after 45 seconds

[@happy_turkey]

How can I have not watched such good movie?

[@brandonkey181]

It's very interesting how the previous two fights in the film were very calculated with very little fluff, and this fight is the exact opposite. They're exhausted beyond the use of any technique. It seems neither of them are suited to sabers, as they were very methodical with the rapiers.

[@Guitcad1]

Sparks @ 1:15 Although you can't see it, according to Ridley Scott in the director's commentary there is chicken wire on the wall behind Harvey Keitel and Carradine's sword is wired to a car battery! Ah, the days before CGIs! lol!

[@eltoromagnifico]

If memory serves, the kid's line "Are they dying?" was unscripted moment

[@TheGrrson]

1:51 wasn't expecting that giant flap of skin and muscle.... 😳

[@chickendrawsdogs3343]

So that's what the guards meant when they said "You'll choke to death on 3 pounds of steel" in the Witcher 3...

[@anibalcostadesousa]

At that time, the film induced us to think and discuss. Good times.

[@BeardsleyMark]

At 1:21 Feraud takes a swipe at a Hussar in a window and ends up hitting just a bottle of wine. Is there any deep meaning to this or was he just feral and frustrated and was taking it out on anyone nearby?

[@Macleodking]

I think of all the duels in the film, this one is my favorite. The setting, the lighting, the loud sabre clashes, the people watching as two exhausted, bloodied men continue past the point of rationality and into sheer, brute animal aggression.

[@shaundouglas2057]

Never heard of this movie but iam going to have to watch it, the sword fights are realistic they show fatigue and how injuries will effect combatants.

[@frostymourne]

This is how a sword fight would be when it drags. People here arguing this is bullshit, but it's the most realistic it can get in a fight. Fatigue sets in.. barely able to hold the sword up... it's impossible to keep the sword up after so much wounds and tiredness. Clinching, grappling and shoving.

[@antchan4892]

looks like 2 drunk fencing at last

[@ludwigderzanker9767]

One of the best movies out of ten! Liked. Saw the interview with Keith, just more than the little brother of David.... So much fight and so senseless...

[@ricardoruy1679]

Um dos melhores filmes que já vi na vida ! 👊

[@JohnSmith-zf1lq]

Love how he drops the coat over them like they're wild animals

[@ИванЛадугин]

This one is more savage than the two predecessors

[@robertchubb1518]

I have done bayonet drills in the British Army along with physical hand to hand (I am using my wife’s iPad!) believe me...just 65 seconds is KNACKERING...go forth to modern war..yes.modern..and hand to hand combat..yes with pistols..rifles..but when in close..only hands, knives and even ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING comes to hand (literally) then come and speak about it... How many of us had a fight at school..you know..the proper fisty cuffs...when involved personally..it seemed to last for ages..but in reality..only no more than a minute or so...and one is pretty (fucked/knackered) through the exertions...YEAP..been there..done that... But this film is just superb...having served myself..I know that injuries are not even noticed until afterwards...Adrenalin, the will to win, AND PRIDE all spurs one on... Are we stronger now? In modern 21st Century? Are we better than 19th Century men and women? Who knows...times/life in general...were HARD then anyways..along with that came a hard society... For instance..l love cycling...go to GCN on here (KZbin) and look up some modern athletes riding OLD bikes/bicycles that would have been ridden in @1910...plus the distances were longer then (even in the Tour de France) NO support vehicles, NO 12 speed gearing, NO brakes (to speak of), NO carbon lightweight bikes the list goes on and on... BUT...their average speeds were astounding...plus these athletes were eating steaks in the morning..drinking wine during their ride, drinking shitty mountain water from either fountains or from the public...the list goes on... Do you see where I am going with this...?

[@JonasHilty]

Some say at times that the volume is to high , I went to the JBL speaker to override the noisy 2,000 watts solar power inverter cooling fan , it was recharge all of my rechargeable batteries that needed it , plus powering a freezer and I believe that the electric toaster was the biggest continues amperage draw this morning...

[@UNrDD]

If the idea is to clash swords until someone gives up, good job.

[@marvinromero9299]

wow. what a magnificent camera work

[@spooky4124]

2:42 "I'M NOT HURT!!!" Oh no, you just have blood stains all over you XD

[@plasticweapon]

TIS BUT A SCRATCH

[@TheSeanoops]

plasticweapon “YOUR ARMS OFF!”

[@lastmanstanding5423]

@@TheSeanoops _"NO... IT'S NOT..._ _IT'S JUST A FLESH WOUND..."_

[@chuchulainn9275]

@@lastmanstanding5423 "Look, you stupid bastard, you've got no arms left!"

[@mattpeterson7452]

@@chuchulainn9275 I've had worse

[@VelmiVelkiZrut]

You may notice that both of them are bloody, so it may be blood loss and pain as well as fatigue. Not to mention adrenaline shock.

[@AnnaDUPOND-vb4lt]

Le gentil et le méchant une bonne raclée sa remets les idées au clair

[@reallycoolname6124]

Dueling with pistols and swords should still be a way of settling disputes

[@stevetillcock7361]

I trained on Olympic sabre just before I saw this in the theater. Got the DVD.

[@joshuabessire9169]

Regular enlisted in battle: bayonet charge will cause soldier to abandon the heights, the thought of steel entering your body scarier than bullets. Officer behind the front: Time to be peeled like a potato for honor.

[@jimjames9223]

Bastard sword, on horseback? To make a full day of it, I'd probably opt for a lance, shamshir and two or four Colt Dragoon pistols.