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From Amazon.co.uk
This is the TV movie that put Steven Spielberg on the map, shortly before he made The Sugarland Express. Working from a script by Richard Matheson, the film stars Dennis Weaver as a mild-mannered traveling salesman who unintentionally angers the driver of a semi truck. Suddenly, the truck is not only riding his tail but trying to run him off the road. No matter what he does (pulling over, stopping at a diner, calling the cops), he can't get rid of it. Spielberg makes the wise decision of never showing the driver, even as he cranks the voltage on the film's suspense elements. As a result, the truck itself takes on an air of satanic menace--even a personality of sorts--as it seems to hunt its human prey. Spielberg made a lot out of a little, suggesting just how skilled a storyteller he would become. --Marshall Fine
Product Description
Businessman David Mann (Dennis Weaver) is driving on a lonely stretch of highway when he notices that he is being followed by a huge, menacing diesel truck. The truck then starts trying to push him off the road, and despite Mann's attempts to defuse the situation, it soon has him engaged in a punishing duel to the death. Originally made for American television but given a cinema release in the UK, this was director Steven Spielberg's feature debut.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Originally a 74 minute 1971 US TV Movie, this DVD has the 90 minute (86 in PAL) theatrical version made for European audiences the following year. The three main additional scenes are:
* Mann telephoning his wife from a gas station
* Entire school bus scene
* Truck pushing Mann's car towards a speeding train at a level crossing
Also, this extended version has a slightly different soundtrack from the original - most noticeably the 'dinosaur roar' is (sadly) missing.
Suspenseful and memorable with a good performance from Dennis Weaver, and although there isn't very much dialogue in this film, some of it is seminal;
Radio Host: "Well, uh, what do you do, may I ask?"
Caller: "I play meat"
Radio Host: "You what?"
Caller: "I play meat"
Radio Host: "You play meat?"
Caller: "Yes, uh, meat. You know, beef and pork"
Radio Host: "That's sick, man"
DVD has a great print, Dolby 5.1 and 5.1 DTS, English subtitles and some great extras:
* A Conversation with Director Steven Spielberg on Making Duel *
35 minutes and an excellent insight, containing clips and stills from many of Spielberg's other films.
* Steven Spielberg and the Small Screen *
A 10 minute overview of his TV work as director, again excellent and with many short clips of his early efforts.
* Richard Matheson: The Writing of Duel *
A 10 minute segment with Matheson, interesting and very watchable.
* Trailer *
* Photograph and Poster Gallery *
Mainly film posters for the overseas release, with a few B/W stills from production.
* Mann telephoning his wife from a gas station
* Entire school bus scene
* Truck pushing Mann's car towards a speeding train at a level crossing
Also, this extended version has a slightly different soundtrack from the original - most noticeably the 'dinosaur roar' is (sadly) missing.
Suspenseful and memorable with a good performance from Dennis Weaver, and although there isn't very much dialogue in this film, some of it is seminal;
Radio Host: "Well, uh, what do you do, may I ask?"
Caller: "I play meat"
Radio Host: "You what?"
Caller: "I play meat"
Radio Host: "You play meat?"
Caller: "Yes, uh, meat. You know, beef and pork"
Radio Host: "That's sick, man"
DVD has a great print, Dolby 5.1 and 5.1 DTS, English subtitles and some great extras:
* A Conversation with Director Steven Spielberg on Making Duel *
35 minutes and an excellent insight, containing clips and stills from many of Spielberg's other films.
* Steven Spielberg and the Small Screen *
A 10 minute overview of his TV work as director, again excellent and with many short clips of his early efforts.
* Richard Matheson: The Writing of Duel *
A 10 minute segment with Matheson, interesting and very watchable.
* Trailer *
* Photograph and Poster Gallery *
Mainly film posters for the overseas release, with a few B/W stills from production.
66 of 69 people found the following review helpful
By Dean Agius
Format:DVD
Spielberg directed this TV movie for ABC when he was 23 and it is the essence of 'high concept' film - man terrorised on desert highway by truck. It is testament to Duel's effectiveness that it was later theatrically released.
Duel is a relentlessly gripping game of cat-and-mouse between a terrified Dennis Weaver in his red Sedan, and the malevolent driver of a monstrous, greasy truck. That the truck has a driver at all is almost irrelevant. The cab windows of that vehicle are rarely in shot, instead Spielberg focuses on the small headlights and prominent engine grille - the truck's beady eyes and vicious snout. Those features are most threatening when shot at low-level as the truck gains speed on Weaver.
This fatalistic game begins when Weaver tries to overtake the truck in a hurry to make a meeting in California. He has already been framed as a man in a mediocre job with a loveless family life. His impotence is reinforced in one of the film's most memorable scenes when Weaver struggles to assist a stuck school bus. In the distance the lights of the truck come on. As Weaver takes off terrified, the truck smoothly, deliberately moves the bus. It's more terrifying still that the driver has shown he is capable of compassion, but has chosen to play with Weaver's life, beckoning him into oncoming traffic, running him off the road, and edging him onto a rail track.
Weaver is excellent as the hunted man - his paranoia in a roadside café with the truck looming ominously in the background is intoxicating, accentuated by his nervy voice-over. His desperation when the truck pulls out from hidden spots is palpable, and his resolution to take a stand is sincere - understandable as Weaver did many of the stunts himself. His performance, with Speilberg's excellent direction, makes Duel a seminal example of an economical premise turned into a memorable, overwhelmingly edgy thriller.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By jlh
Format:DVD
The classic premise of cat and mouse,i have always loved this film.Dennis Weavers' mister average being relentlessly menaced by a devil like big black truck-for no apparent reason.Tense,gripping and very well paced-and of course,a first introduction to the great Steven Spielberg himself!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
the best
WHEN I LIKE A MOVIE OF THE WEEK DONE BY SOMEONE THAT WASN'T IN THE SHARK INFESTED WATERS OF LAKE EERIE BACK THEN i WAS BETTER
Published 7 days ago by Gregory J. Belcastro
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good
As described, came quickly and safely. Nothing wrong with purchase. Happy experience. Great all time classic film to watch l
Published 14 days ago by Harriet Gedney
4.0 out of 5 stars
Körglädje
Film från förr som jag fyndade hos Zoverstocks. Sevärd Spielberg från tidigt 70-tal med en bil och en tankbil i huvudrollerna.
Published 25 days ago by Sam Body
5.0 out of 5 stars
great film
if you are like me and love road trip films then this is one for the collection! this was stephen spielbergs first film that he directed and it is a good one! Read more
Published 1 month ago by M. H. Stagg
4.0 out of 5 stars
Duel (special Edition)
Excellent film by Spielberg. No fancy special effects, small cast of characters, just good old fashioned story telling and suspense.
Highly recommend this film.
Highly recommend this film.
Published 2 months ago by PJF
5.0 out of 5 stars
As gripping as any Hitchcock thriller
Spielberg manages to turn a normal day into a nightmare that such a believable scenario for most drivers to connect with.
Published 2 months ago by the auditor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spielberg at the beginning
Low budget but you don't notice as this is a tense thriller as a sales rep ends up on a terror ride chased by a mad trucker
Published 3 months ago by Z Z Mellor
4.0 out of 5 stars
Genuinely tense if ultimately disappointing
This is a very enjoyable watch. Hence the four stars. What makes it so tense is the simplicity of its techniques - little music, little actual narrative, just a genuinely scary -... Read more
Published 3 months ago by M. C. Cresswell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Still holds up as a great film today
A made for TV movie from the 70s produced on a low budget and by a director who had never been heard of before, what are the chances that this film would still be great today. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mr Blonde
5.0 out of 5 stars
Duel
I really like this movie,Duel, Starring Mr Dennis Weaver,giving a great performance as a motorist being terrorised by a truck driver.Thank you to the seller for great service.
Published 4 months ago by Mr. David Harvie
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