Monday, 22 September 2014
On 22.9.14 by KieronMoore in Duel, Film, film review, Richard Matheson, Steven Spielberg 23 comments
Released as an ABC TV Movie of the Week in 1971 before getting an international theatrical release, Duel shows off the talents of two great artists – it’s the first feature directed by Steven Spielberg, at the point where he moved from TV into cinema, and it’s written by Richard Matheson, better known for his sci-fi masterwork I Am Legend.
And yet it’s a very minimalist film, with an incredibly simple concept. Driving along the open desert road, a man, conveniently named David Mann, overtakes a slow-moving truck. As most drivers will at some point have done. But then the truck overtakes him back. The man overtakes the truck again. The truck driver attempts to kill the man. A ninety-minute chase sequence ensues.
And I was on the edge of my seat for all ninety. Spielberg directs tense action like no-one else and this early road rage movie screams of a director who’s going to make it big. Though shot entirely in broad daylight, it’s as terrifying as any horror film. The truck is evil, nightmarish, and relentless; we never see the driver but get a sense of his past through the truck's multiple licence plates, presumably trophies of previous conquests. Whatever Mann does to escape, the truck always comes back. When he thinks he’s got away, he stops in a diner, washes himself in the toilets, steps back into the diner… and the truck’s there, in the forecourt. Cue the tensest scene of a man ordering a sandwich you’ll ever see, rich in paranoia as everyone in the room becomes a suspect.
If I were to get philosophical, I’d say it’s a film about courage. Early in the film, Mann calls his wife from a gas station and apologises for failing to defend her when a partygoer made an unwanted advance the previous night. Here, he’s framed through the door of a launderette washing machine – even domesticity oppresses him. He spends the entirety of the film running away from the truck, and is only victorious when he builds up the courage to turn around and confront it. Freud would probably say it’s about masculinity in crisis and the truck represents a giant penis.
But Spielberg and Matheson would probably say it’s about a man being chased by a truck, and that’s thrilling enough for me.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Search
Popular Posts
-
Released as an ABC TV Movie of the Week in 1971 before getting an international theatrical release, Duel shows off the talents of two gr...
-
Earlier this week, I started thinking about how Series 11 had been going, and realised that, though some early episodes were dec...
-
Sorry everything's been quiet on the blog front recently, lads. Most of my spare time has been taken over by one project in particul...
-
Read the full version of this review on Film Fubb. CHARLES DANCE’S MOTORISED PENIS. Now that I have your attention, I’ll talk a...
-
Abe makes a deal to bring back the eyes of a lost relative… Shot during the brief period of this summer when it was safe to go outside, her...
About Me

- KieronMoore
- Hi there. I'm Kieron. I write films, comics, and other assorted scribbles. I like Doctor Who, LGBTQ subjects, and chocolate digestives.
Powered by Blogger.
I have bookmarked your site.
ReplyDeleteOver a thousand movies were being churned out yearly by producers and utterly amazed by the staggering statistical data of movie productions, the International movie spotlight was shone on the Multi Million naira Industry "Nollywood".
ReplyDelete0123movie.net
Nice blog
ReplyDeletespeechelo review
When your website or blog goes live for the first time, it is exciting. That is until you realize no one but you and your. Baixar Filmes torrent
ReplyDeleteIn case you're film doesn't have any entertainers or superstar names connected to it then it won't get showcased outside of the standard addition in a film wholesaler inventory. as seen on 123Movies
ReplyDeleteJust saying thanks will not just be sufficient, for the fantasti c lucidity in your writing. I will instantly grab your rss feed to stay informed of any updates. Film complet
ReplyDeleteNew movie releases are not only a great reason to head back to the movies, but they're also a great way of making a date night or family movie night absolutely rock! Twilight at Fmovies
ReplyDeleteThree are usually cheap Ralph Lauren available for sale each and every time you wish to buy. Printing
ReplyDeleteRather than update your information site-by-site you can use a service that puts you on all the sties and databases the serve the local search results. best t5 fat burners reviews
ReplyDeleteYes, this is the luxurious industry you want Director to break into. When you want to Become a Film Director, the most important part if taking any job you can.
ReplyDeleteWhen your website or blog goes live for the first time, it is exciting. That is until you realize no one but you and your. film streaming
ReplyDeleteThank you again for all the knowledge you distribute,Good post. I was very interested in the article, it's quite inspiring I should admit. I like visiting you site since I always come across interesting articles like this one.Great Job, I greatly appreciate that.Do Keep sharing! Regards, khatrimaza
ReplyDeleteMovie2Film - Watch free movies online - action, thriller, animation, horror, adventure, short films, fanfilms, classics, Tv series and more in HD ดูหนังออนไลน์ฟรี
ReplyDeleteTo decisively examine value reserve funds, wrap two burdens. At that point cut the film off of the two loads and gauge it on a little delicate scale. Axxo
ReplyDeleteJTwenty | New Punjabi Song | Latest Punjabi Songs
ReplyDeleteJTwenty is a new music service with official albums, single tracks, New Punjabi Songs, JTWENTY latest Punjabi Songs and more for PC, Android, iOS and desktop. Promoted by digi_media_24 Click below to watch like subscribe our channel for more updates and latest songs. JTWENTY Official New Punjabi Songs Channel
Free download songs and videos without restrictions, mp3juice2020.net website, the best download site for free.
123movies official site 2021
ReplyDeleteWelcome to 123Movies official 2021 online movie streaming website GoMovies. Watch online 123Movies GoMovies Top Rated Movies and TV Series in HD.Our search engine is free to use.
TV SHOWS AND ¦¦¦¦ 123movies UNBLOCKED New Website 2021 ¦¦¦¦ 123movies-1.org Enter the TV shows, movie or series title in the search box and find all the information about your favorite title.
123movies official site 2021
Welcome to 123Movies official 2021 online movie streaming website GoMovies. Watch online 123Movies GoMovies Top Rated Movies and TV Series in HD.Our search engine is free to use.
TV SHOWS AND 123movies official site 2021 UNBLOCKED 123movies-1.org Enter the TV shows, movie or series title in the search box and find all the information about your favorite title.
Your expected material ought to relate overwhelmingly with the extended results of your associations' projects and on the off chance that they do, 123movie
ReplyDeleteWith regards to film dissemination for a non mainstream delivered film the manner in which it ordinarily happens are autonomous makers and producers face the challenge making the film with no ensured film dispersion bargain set up.
ReplyDeleteหนังhd
Inter Series - ซีรี่ย์ฝรั่ง doonungth เว็บดูหนัง ซีรี่ย์ฝรั่ง ซีรี่ย์เกาหลี Netflix ซีรี่ย์ฝรั่ง
ReplyDeleteThese can be utilized to wrap having a place like lights that you will box. Despite the fact that moving is an incredible opportunity to dispose of heaps of things that you may not need or need, those old shades that you may detest may very well proved to be useful when you are pressing, so don't toss them out so rapidly. https://www.buyyoutubeviewsindia.in/youtube-marketing/
ReplyDeleteThe most ideal way to fabricate a maturing business online is to use on videos.
ReplyDeleteNew York City
Admiring the time and effort you put into your blog and detailed information you offer!.. https://yesmovies-website.com
ReplyDeletenice bLog! its interesting. thank you for sharing.... https://yesmovies.agency
ReplyDelete