Duel (1971)

Great Thriller!

If you haven't had a chance to watch this movie, take my advice and get it. It's well worth the price. It put Spielberg on the map, and you'll know why as soon as you finish the movie. Scary road rage before there was a term for it! December 27, 2008

first time only

i saw this movie plenty of years ago
and recently got in the mood to order old movies i recall as good
it was ok the 2nd time around
i guess the more realistic movies with more thriller action has made a once good film like this seem mediocre
i would advise it if its ur first time December 5, 2008

Excellent

The Duel is one of my favorite all-time movies. I original saw it on TV many years ago and remember being absolutely riveted to the screen. I now have it on DVD and it has not lost its power. It is a must see movie. November 22, 2008

I generally despise Spielberg's pap, but this one's a gem!

"Duel" is one of those ABC Movie of the Week standards from the 1970's (along with "Killdozer") that had a tremendous impact on us as impressionable kids. A true gem of a film, intense from start to finish yet suitable for family viewing, one that has stood the test of time despite some of the dated 70's era material. As is typical of Spielberg films, there are a few inexcusable filming errors - watch for the incredible disappearing crossing arm at the railroad crossing - but for the most part you won't notice them unless you're a stickler for film perfection.

I'm somewhat suprised no one has attempted a remake - even with cell phones and GPS one could incorporate dead zones and GPS errors into the plot to keep the sense of isolation intact. I'd change the car to a hybrid (yellow of course, with an "Oil is Evil" bumper sticker or something to that effect), and the David Mann character to one of those obnoxious "greenie" types who ultimately transforms from wimp into a real man by the end of the film. Oh wait, they already did that in the remake of "The Hills Have Eyes"! Oh well! October 18, 2008

"SEMI-Tough"

To my mind the best thing Spielberg has ever done. This movie strikes a cord in the heart of everyman. Have we all not had a semi breathing down our necks on a freeway, interstate or elsewhere? They could not stop if they had to and we would be a greasespot on the road. Dennis Weaver is great as the unsophisticated salesman that is terrorized by this demon. You feel the truck is driving itself, pre-programmed as you never see a driver at all, just feel the evil bearing down. Spielberg works hard to build the tension perfectly in this movie. We witness the roller-coaster emotions of Weaver as he has gotten rid of him, then realizes he is still there, gets rid of him again, and he is back. The noise of the 450 Cummings (?) and the irritation of the horn, the air brakes, the rear-view mirror images of the monster. A thrilling movie. September 11, 2008

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