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IMDb > Duel (1971) (TV)
Duel
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Duel (1971) (TV) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
7.7/10   19,334 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 2% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Steven Spielberg
Writers:
Richard Matheson (screenplay)
Richard Matheson (short story)
Contact:
View company contact information for Duel on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
13 November 1971 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | Mystery | Thriller more
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. more
Plot:
A business commuter is pursued and terrorized by a malevolent driver of a massive tractor-trailer. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(9 articles)
Exclusive: Debbie Rowe In Her Own Words
 (From MTV Music News. 12 July 2009, 10:11 PM, PDT)

Trailer For The Box Online
 (From EmpireOnline. 24 June 2009, 11:39 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
Just When You Thought It Was Safe to Go Back on the Highways... more

Cast

  (Complete credited 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)
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Additional Details

Runtime:
90 min | USA:74 min (original version)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:
Iceland:L | USA:PG (1984) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Brazil:12 | Italy:VM14 (DVD rating) | 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 more
Company:
Universal TV more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
When first screened in Europe, the TV movie received a theatrical release. more
Goofs:
Continuity: At the crossing, the truck is pushing the car towards the train. Immediately after the train barely clears the crossing, Mann floors it over the crossing. The gates would not have even begun to raise yet, but the next shot shows Mann barely past the crossing and the gates are completely raised and off. more
Quotes:
David Mann: You can't beat me on the grade. You can't beat me on the grade! more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Holiday (2006) more
Soundtrack:
Bridge (Duel) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
56 out of 65 people found the following comment useful:-
Just When You Thought It Was Safe to Go Back on the Highways..., 4 April 1999
8/10
Author: Donald J. Lamb from Philadelphia, PA

DUEL is Spielberg's JAWS of the highway, a raucous nascar race of a film that was "made for TV". Usually, the phrase made-for-TV makes me ill, but Universal TV executives had no clue what they had here. It was so good, the film got its fitting recognition in Europe, where it was released theatrically. Spielberg's own idol, director David Lean, praised the film's suspense and excitement. A testimonial from Sir David Lean is enough to get any career going. DUEL begins from the point of view of a driver, and never lets up. The fear Dennis Weaver encounters consists not only of the monster truck itself, which is on an unexpected death chase, but of the inability to see who (or what) is behind the wheel.

It seemed like a great episode of THE TWILIGHT ZONE, and Rod Serling would've been proud. Speed kills and you may never pass a slow truck on the highway again after seeing this. There is no character development, no humor, no identifiable characters, but in this case, who cares? It is only 90 minutes long and Spielberg's goal is to make you tired. To make you experience what this everyday salesman is going through for NO apparent reason. Besides a shark in the ocean, I really can't think of another more frightful situation to be in.

The truck itself is sinister looking, almost resembling one from RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK. The only remnant of a human being in the truck is an arm. The arm waves much like the hitch-hiker in the famous TWILIGHT ZONE episode. Weaver is cheesy and silly looking in his Peter Fonda-esque shades, but it is a sign of the times. You don't necessarily find yourself rooting for him to escape alive. Basically, you are held prisoner by Spielberg's web of suspense, and stay wide-eyed the entire time. Great fun to watch on big or small screen.

RATING: 8 of 10

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duel ripoffs romarblanc
DVD Different/Missing Sound Effects? TheSkipper
Things I Learned From Watching Duel.... twelveboar
It is a shame that the driver wasn't shown. wtl471629
remake?? hugh750
Movie with similar plot iiii Help !!!! vlady666
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