GoodWatchSign up

The Duellists

1977·Movie
1h 40min·PG
IMDb7.4Metacritic707.7Rotten Tomatoes75%83%

Where to watch

fuboTVMGM+PhiloKanopy

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

The Duellists fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Tense and spectacular

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension7
  • Spectacle7
  • Violence7

Heart

Melancholic

  • Melancholy7
  • Pathos6
  • Nostalgia6

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay4
  • Satire & Parody3
  • Dark Humor3

World

History, war, and politics

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion9
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and characters

  • Direction9
  • Acting9
  • Character Depth8

Style

Standout cinematography, editing, and visual style

A distinctive visual signature.

  • Cinematography9
  • Editing8
  • Visual Stylization8

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You want fast pacing

Find more like it

Educational movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Fencing is a science. Loving is a passion. Duelling is an obsession.

In 1800, as Napoleon Bonaparte rises to power in France, a rivalry erupts between Armand and Gabriel, two lieutenants in the French Army, over a perceived insult. For over a decade, they engage in a series of duels amidst larger conflicts, including the failed French invasion of Russia in 1812, and shifts in the political and social systems of Europe.
Historical DramaRivalry and ObsessionNapoleonic EraCharacter StudyVisually StunningExistential ThemesHonor and DutyIntense PerformancesFrench Army

Crew

Directed by:
Ridley Scott, Terry Marcel, Peter Kohn
Written by:
Joseph Conrad, Gerald Vaughan-Hughes
Produced by:
Mary Selway, David Puttnam, Ivor Powell
Composed by:
Hugh Strain, Terry Rawlings, John Richards

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Loading video…

Questions about The Duellists

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Duellists legally?

fuboTVMGM+PhiloKanopy

The Duellists is included with a subscription to fuboTV, Philo, and MGM+ in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, and Apple TV Store. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Duellists worth watching?

74
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 75/100 (IMDb 7.4, Rotten Tomatoes 75%, and Metacritic 70). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Duellists rated?

PGViolence

It's rated PG in the United States. Content advisories: violence.

How long is The Duellists?

1 h 40 min

The Duellists runs 1 h 40 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Duellists?

Critics73
Audiences78

Yes. Critics average 73 and audiences 78 out of 100, so both groups see The Duellists much the same way.

What language is The Duellists in?

EnglishRussian

It was made in English, with some Russian. Produced in United Kingdom, United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Duellists?

40ATAUAZBEBGBRBYCACHCYCZDEDKEE+26

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Duellists in 40 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Duellists use?

Irrational HatredGet It Over WithMood WhiplashDisproportionate RetributionSuave SabreHair-Trigger TemperFour-Star BadassEarn Your Happy EndingThe Door Slams YouRule of ThreeDiegetic Soundtrack UsageCavalry Officerand 56 more

TV Tropes lists 68 storytelling tropes for The Duellists, including Irrational Hatred, Get It Over With, Mood Whiplash.