Duel (1971)

A business commuter is pursued and terrorized by the malevolent driver of a massive tractor-trailer.

Director:

Steven Spielberg

Writers:

Richard Matheson (screenplay), Richard Matheson (story)

Stars:

Dennis Weaver, Jacqueline Scott, Eddie Firestone

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Dennis Weaver	...	David Mann
Jacqueline Scott	...	Mrs. Mann
Eddie Firestone	...	Cafe Owner
Lou Frizzell	...	Bus Driver
Gene Dynarski	...	Man in Cafe
Lucille Benson	...	Lady at Snakerama
Tim Herbert	...	Gas Station Attendant
Charles Seel	...	Old Man
Shirley O'Hara	...	Waitress
Alexander Lockwood	...	Old Man in Car
Amy Douglass	...	Old Woman in Car
Dick Whittington	...	Radio Interviewer (voice)
Carey Loftin	...	The Truck Driver (as Cary Loftin)
Dale Van Sickel	...	Car Driver (as Dale VanSickle)

Storyline

While traveling through the desert for an appointment with a client, the businessman David Mann from California passes a slow and old tanker truck. The psychotic truck driver feels offended and chases David along the empty highway trying to kill him.

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Plot Keywords:

truck | mysterious villain | california | chase | pursuer | 

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Taglines:

You are in the driver's seat for 100 minutes of cold-sweat suspense!

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Genres:

Action | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Steven Spielberg said he related to the idea of the truck bullying the driver because it was similar to his childhood experiences of being bullied.

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Goofs

In the wide shot overlooking the truck at the gas station, a camera shadow can be seen on the truck's roof, at the bottom of the screen.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[radio playing, driving down the road, approaches the truck]
[David coughs, coughs again]
David Mann: Talk about pollution.

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Crazy Credits

The man with the sandwich is referred to as "Hoagy Man".

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Alternate Versions

For the German DVD release, the film was entirely redubbed.

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Connections

Featured in Spielberg on Spielberg (2007)

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Soundtracks

Brush Those Tears from Your Eyes
(uncredited)
Written by Al Trace (as Clem Watts), Oakley Haldeman and James Lee
Published by MCA Music (ASCAP)

User Reviews

One Helluva Ride

This film proves that television can produce a quality film. Much like Spielberg's first big theatrical hit, "Jaws", this film deals with a menace, the driver, that is pretty much unseen for most of the film. It also preys upon our fear of being caught in a desperate situation with no one around to help. Also, Dennis Weaver was perfectly cast as the unfortunate motorist that happens to be the prey of a psychotic truck driver. This definitely is a far cry from Weaver's most famous role of Marshall Sam McCloud, who was the typical hero compared to the terrified motorist he plays in this film. Too bad that we here in the United States never got a chance to see this great film in a theater like the rest of the world. This is definitely a classic suspense film.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 November 1971 (USA)

Also Known As:

Duel

Filming Locations:

16948 Vasquez Canyon Road, Canyon Country, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$450,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,544

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 74 min (original)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1