Memorable quotes for
The Duellists (1977) More at IMDbPro »

Gabriel Feraud: I knew a man who was stabbed to death by a woman; gave him the surprise of his life.
Laura: I once knew a woman who was beaten to death by a man. I don't think it surprised *her* at all.
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Armand D'Hubert: I am going to be killed responsibly, on horseback, as a compliment to the cavalry.
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Armand D'Hubert: General Feraud has made occasional attempts to kill me. That does not give him the right to claim my acquaintance.
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Armand D'Hubert: We came here to kill each other. Any ground is suitable for that.
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Armand D'Hubert: Isn't this marriage-broking getting a little out of fashion?
Leonie: Nothing sensible goes out of fashion.
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[talking about a marriage]
Armand D'Hubert: If I were to neglect making you a proposal, no blame would attach to you. And I think perhaps you might be saved from a... sad dull life.
Adele: If you neglect to make me a proposal, my uncle will go mad.
Armand D'Hubert: Damn it, you are not put on this earth to coddle your uncle.
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[first lines]
Narrator: The duellist demands satisfaction. Honour, for him, is an appetite. This story is about an eccentric kind of hunger. It is a true story and begins in the year that Napoleon Bonaparte became ruler of France.
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Leonie: A good marriage settles down quietly, like moss.
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[last lines]
Armand D'Hubert: You have kept me at your beck and call for fifteen years. I shall never again do what you demand of me. By every rule of single combat, from this moment your life belongs to me. Is that not correct? Then I shall simply declare you dead. In all of your dealings with me, you'll do me the courtesy to conduct yourself as a dead man. I have submitted to your notions of honor long enough. You will now submit to mine.
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Gabriel Feraud: You've insulted me!
Armand D'Hubert: I have strained my patience in order NOT to insult you.
Gabriel Feraud: I demand an apology!
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Gabriel Feraud: Would you let them spit on Napoleon Bonaparte?
Armand D'Hubert: Bonaparte? I fail to see what Bonaparte has to do with this.
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Dr. Jacquin: [to d'Hubert about his situation with Feraud] You cannot fight, one: if you're in different places; physical impossibility. Two: if you're of different ranks; breach of discipline. And three: if the State is at war; duels of nations take absolute precedence. Therefore, keep away from him, keep ahead of him and put your trust in Bonaparte.
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Laura: [to d'Hubert] Nothing cures a duellist.
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Laura: [to d'Hubert] This time he'll kill you!
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Chevalier: [upon meeting d'Hubert for the first time after d'Hubert has found him making boots] I've not hitherto been privileged to meet a general of Bonaparte's army.
Armand D'Hubert: [smiling] General of Brigade, sir, and only recently promoted. A mere imp of Satan; I cannot claim to be one of his demons.
Chevalier: [unthawing slightly] You jest with me, sir.
Armand D'Hubert: In a neighborly way.
Chevalier: [gesturing to d'Hubert to be seated and sitting himself] Let me make you a pair of boots. In a neighborly way.
Armand D'Hubert: I would esteem it an honor.
Chevalier: Good boots are not an honor, they are a pleasure. About the time that you were learning to be a soldier, I was learning to make boots. I've supported myself as a boot-maker; now that I'm an aristocrat once more, I have to drum up trade. Sloth is the curse of the aristoracy.
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Fouche: [hands d'Hubert the list of executions] Take a pen, my dear fellow, and cross out the name; I can't do everything for you.
Armand D'Hubert: [crosses off Feraud's name, then] Your Excellency, I must beg you to keep my interefence a secret, most particularly from General Feraud.
Fouche: [takes back the list] General Feraud, alive or dead, is not worth a moment's gossip.
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Fouche: [to d'Hubert, who has come to see him to save Feraud from execution] I am something of a virtuoso in survival. You would be aware of that, I think. Besides, I despise these nobodies who offer their neck to the block. The list is in my control because if it were not my own name would almost certainly be on it.
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Armand D'Hubert: [to his sister Leonie about her matchmaking] Meddle, meddle, meddle.
Leonie: [calmly sipping her tea] Nonsense.
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Adele: [she's just felt her baby kick and has put d'Hubert's hand on her belly to feel] Sir, kick for the general.
[the baby kicks and she reacts]
Adele: Perfect discipline!
Armand D'Hubert: [smiling] That's not a grenadier. Most ladylike, I assure you.
Adele: HE'S not kicking YOU.
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