The Duellists 1977

Mark Chalon Smith, Los Angeles Times: Scott gets strong performances from his supporting cast (Quick is sensual and effective) and is able to salvage the movie through the alchemy of the striking visuals. Read more

Vincent Canby, New York Times: It is precise, intelligent, civilized, and because it never for a moment mistakes its narrative purpose. Read more

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader: The 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. Read more

Time Out: Keitel struggles gamely against a wooden Carradine, but the American influences further dislocate a script that delivers little observation, psychological or social, on their running feud. Read more

Variety Staff, Variety: Keitel is jaunty and menancing and Carradine more determined and a bit troubled but also caught up in this strange need of one to prove honor and the other slaking a twisted nature. Read more