Duel (1971) (TV)

Director:

Steven Spielberg

Writers:

Richard Matheson (screenplay)
Richard Matheson (short story)

Release Date:

13 November 1971 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

A duel is about to begin between a man, a truck, and an open road. Where a simple battle of wits is now a matter of life and death.

Plot:

A business commuter is pursued and terrorized by a malevolent driver of a massive tractor-trailer.

Plot Keywords:

Mysterious Truck | Salesman | On The Road | Based On Short Story | Black Comedy

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Dennis Weaver	...	David Mann
Eddie Firestone	...	Cafe Owner
Gene Dynarski	...	Man in Cafe
Tim Herbert	...	Gas Station Attendant
Charles Seel	...	Old Man
Alexander Lockwood	...	Old Man in Car
Amy Douglass	...	Old Woman in Car
Shirley O'Hara	...	Waitress
Lucille Benson	...	Lady at Snakerama
Carey Loftin	...	The Truck Driver (as Cary Loftin)
Dale Van Sickel	...	Car Driver (as Dale Van Sickle)

Runtime:

90 min | USA:74 min (original version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Brazil:12 | Canada:PG (Ontario) | USA:PG (1984) | Iceland:L | UK:PG (video rating) | Australia:PG | Norway:12 | Sweden:11 | UK:AA (original rating) | USA:PG | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:13 | Finland:S (1996) | Finland:K-16 (1973) | Finland:K-12 (1984)

Filming Locations:

Acton, California, USA

Company:

Universal TV

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:

Crew or equipment visible: In the chase scene leading to Chuck's Cafe, a camera mounted on the right rear side of the car can be seen briefly.

Quotes:

David Mann: Well it's about time, Charlie!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Holiday (2006)

Soundtrack:

Truck Overtaking Car (#1, #2, #3)

Psychological Thriller

When i watch this film i get so involved that i actually think Is Dennis Weaver just imagining the truck or is it real? a few reasons for this are that when the bus driver stops him and asks him for a push he tells him about the truck but the bus driver doesn't know what he is on about, he says "no i didn't see any truck" is this all in the mind, is he going insane, is he already insane, is it a dream?? this is why it is such a great film, it leaves you asking questions. Endless dessert road that he is driving on it just adds to the chilly creepy theme of the film and the narrating throughout also keeps your attention and keeps you thinking and this is where i had this theory of David actually maybe he is already insane or is going insane, i mean why in the hell would a truck driver want to chase and kill a man only because he overtook him on a road also i truck going as fast as that i mean it wouldn't happen.. This is definitely a classic, one of those films that are not being made anymore, this film has influence in other films such as Jeepers Creepers etc..

The best scene in the film is the cafe scene, overall watch this classic if you have not already!!

9/10