70
Metascore
13 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100San Francisco ChronicleSan Francisco ChronicleA forgotten masterpiece.
- A splendid recreation of Napoleonic France and a compelling movie to boot.
- 80The New YorkerPauline KaelThe New YorkerPauline KaelConsistently entertaining and eerily beautiful.
- 75Slant MagazineSlant MagazineThe Duellists explores its own unique thematic terrain and limns its characters’ psychology with a perspicacity that’s all its own.
- 75The A.V. ClubNoel MurrayThe A.V. ClubNoel MurrayIn spite of the material's thinness, and even though Carradine and Keitel look ridiculous sporting fancy duds while speaking bodice-ripper dialogue in flat American accents, The Duellists endures as a diverting action potboiler.
- 70The New York TimesVincent CanbyThe New York TimesVincent CanbyA film that satisfies not because it sweeps us off our feet, knocks us into the aisles, provides us with visions of infinity or definitions of God, but because it is precise, intelligent, civilized, and because it never for a moment mistakes its narrative purpose.
- 60Chicago ReaderDave KehrChicago ReaderDave KehrThe film comes closer to working than it has any right to, given the curious casting (Keith Carradine and Harvey Keitel) and director Ridley Scott's inability to sustain dramatic tension or build a coherent scene.
- 60TV Guide MagazineTV Guide MagazineThe film's outstanding beauty is not enough to compensate its slim story, which remains preoccupied with the duellists' insane obsession with military codes of conduct and personal honor.
- 50Time OutTime OutScott, a name in TV commercials making his first feature, brings little overall thrust, working instead in short bursts.