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IMDbPro

Duel

  • TV Movie
  • 19711971
  • PGPG
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
74K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,509
124
Dennis Weaver in Duel (1971)
From 'Jaws' and 'Raiders of the Lost Ark, ' to 'Saving Private Ryan' and 'West Side Story,' IMDb breaks down the trademarks of Steven Spielberg's directorial style, including shooting stars, striking silhouettes, reflective perspectives, tracking shots, and more.
Play clip2:31
Watch A Guide to the Films of Steven Spielberg
1 Video
69 Photos
ActionThriller
A business commuter is pursued and terrorized by the malevolent driver of a massive tractor-trailer.A business commuter is pursued and terrorized by the malevolent driver of a massive tractor-trailer.A business commuter is pursued and terrorized by the malevolent driver of a massive tractor-trailer.
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
74K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,509
124
  • Director
    • Steven Spielberg
  • Writer
    • Richard Matheson(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Dennis Weaver
    • Jacqueline Scott
    • Eddie Firestone
  • Director
    • Steven Spielberg
  • Writer
    • Richard Matheson(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Dennis Weaver
    • Jacqueline Scott
    • Eddie Firestone
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 434User reviews
    • 149Critic reviews
    • 81Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 3 wins & 5 nominations total

    Videos1

    A Guide to the Films of Steven Spielberg
    Clip 2:31
    Watch A Guide to the Films of Steven Spielberg

    Photos69

    Duel (1971)
    Steven Spielberg and Dennis Weaver in Duel (1971)
    Shawn Steinman in Duel (1971)
    Dennis Weaver in Duel (1971)
    Duel (1971)
    Dennis Weaver in Duel (1971)
    Dennis Weaver in Duel (1971)
    Dennis Weaver in Duel (1971)
    Carey Loftin and Dennis Weaver in Duel (1971)
    Carey Loftin in Duel (1971)
    Carey Loftin and Dennis Weaver in Duel (1971)
    Dennis Weaver in Duel (1971)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Dennis Weaver
    Dennis Weaver
    • David Mann
    Jacqueline Scott
    Jacqueline Scott
    • Mrs. Mann
    Eddie Firestone
    Eddie Firestone
    • Cafe Owner
    Lou Frizzell
    Lou Frizzell
    • Bus Driver
    Gene Dynarski
    Gene Dynarski
    • Man in Cafe
    Lucille Benson
    Lucille Benson
    • Lady at Snakerama
    Tim Herbert
    Tim Herbert
    • Gas Station Attendant
    Charles Seel
    Charles Seel
    • Old Man
    Shirley O'Hara
    Shirley O'Hara
    • Waitress
    Alexander Lockwood
    • Old Man in Car
    Amy Douglass
    • Old Woman in Car
    Dick Whittington
    Dick Whittington
    • Radio Interviewer
    • (voice)
    Carey Loftin
    Carey Loftin
    • The Truck Driver
    • (as Cary Loftin)
    Dale Van Sickel
    Dale Van Sickel
    • Car Driver
    • (as Dale VanSickle)
    Shawn Steinman
    • Girl on school bus
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Steven Spielberg
    • Writer
      • Richard Matheson(screenplay) (story)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to Richard Matheson, he was inspired to write the original short story "Duel" after an encounter with a tailgating truck driver on November 22, 1963, the day that John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
    • Goofs
      When Mann approaches the phone booth at the "Snakerama" he says "Odd place for a telephone booth," and gets inside, closing the door behind him. The camera pans to the right slightly, revealing the reflection of 'Steven Spielberg (I)' in the lower right-hand side of the glass panel, wearing what appears to be a blue Hawaiian shirt, glancing up and down at the script in his hands. Behind him, the truck's reflection can also be seen.
    • Quotes

      David Mann: You can't beat me on the grade. You can't beat me on the grade!

    • Crazy credits
      A scene plays out over the credits where David Mann sits on the edge of the cliff throwing stones.
    • Alternate versions
      For the German DVD release, the film was entirely redubbed.
    • Connections
      Edited into The Incredible Hulk: Never Give a Trucker an Even Break (1978)
    • Soundtracks
      Brush Those Tears from Your Eyes
      (uncredited)

      Written by Al Trace (as Clem Watts), Oakley Haldeman and James Lee

      Published by MCA Music (ASCAP)

    User reviews434

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    The ultimate car chase movie...
    Leave it to prosemaster extraordinaire, Richard Matheson (a favorite of mine and the man Stephen King acknowledges as being his biggest influence), to come up a premise so simple yet so believable and terrifying that the viewer will never look at an eighteen-wheeler the same way ever again...and leave it to cinematic wunderkind, Stephen Spielburg, to do right by Matheson's script and win acclaim in the bargain.

    Though some may argue that "Bullit", "Vanishing Point", or maybe even the original "Gone in 60 Seconds" could be called the ultimate car chase movie, "Duel" deserves this designation better because it does something none of the above films can claim. The story literally starts on the road and ends on the road. No location in the entire film is ever out of sight of the highway and, in spite of the brief conversation with the wife, virtually nothing else happens outside the highway. For David Mann (played adequately enough by Dennis Weaver) and the monster truck he's trying to get away from, the road and everything alongside it is their entire universe. Nothing else of importance exists outside of it.

    Though it's never mentioned in the film, this would seem to take place on the California highways. When I went out there about eight years ago, I went down roads that seemed to be not too dissimiliar to the ones shown here. They seemed to stretch on forever, no vestiges of civilization in sight for miles. Spielburg uses this setting to great advantage. Being in your car in a crowded city intersection is one thing, but on those highways with nothing but your car and a homicidal maniac in a diesel for miles? The isolation factor that cars naturally produce jumps up a thousand percent. The radiator hose problem made me think of many other times that I had similar troubles with cars I've had. Of course, I never had someone trying to kill me at the time, but...

    Anyone looking for drama, character development, or all the other elements that pseudo-critics point out as the mark of cinematic excellence are liable to be disappointed by "Duel". It's what King described in "Danse Macabre" as a Tale of the Hook. It's only purpose is to scare the hell out of you. Damn if it doesn't work. THAT'S the mark of a classic.
    helpful•87
    12
    • keihan
    • Aug 9, 2000

    FAQ1

    • What are the differences between the VHS and the DVD versions?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 13, 1971 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Dvoboj
    • Filming locations
      • Le Chene - 12625 Sierra Highway, Agua Dulce, California, USA(Chuck's Cafe truck-stop)
    • Production company
      • Universal Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $450,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,544
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 30 minutes

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