This is a GREAT film. Buy it, watch it -- again and again. Someone said it is based on a story by Joseph Conrad. I am not sure of this, but I do know there is good reason to believe that this story, or something very much like, it happened in real life.

Most people know who Ridley Scott is, and what his movies are. While this movie is smart and beautiful in every detail, I think it is important to remind people that this was Scott's first movie outside his advertising career, and it is not on the scale of Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven.

Nevertheless, it is a great film -- even though it was produced for less than $400,000 in 1977 dollars.

The French in the early years of the Age of Napoleon were fanatic duelists. There were many deaths in duels when the Army was encamped -- especially in 1804 and 1805, when the Grand Armee' was sick of drilling and parades while waiting to invade England at Boulogne sur Mer, and again in 1806/1807, during the occupation of Bavaria after the success at Austerlitz, but before the triumph over the Prussians at Jena.

The French Hussars (the Second and the Seventh are featured in this film) were notorious for riding up to the lines of the British enemy in Spain and asking for a single combat duel just to break the boredom of the wait between battles.

A great deal is said about the psychology and progression of the French culture during the Age of Napoleon. This movie gives a penetrating account of that. This is a movie that will be watched many times with great enjoyment, and will spark lots of good conversation with friends.

Halfway between playing a pimp in the immortal _Taxi Driver_ and portraying every other kind of legendary character, Harvey Keitel got involved in a Ridley Scott project with Keith Carradine and the rest is collector's edition history.

Set in France during the Napoleonic Era, two young soldiers get into a fight over the usual nonsense and their vendetta spans a generation. Great action scenes, romance and the scarcely believable (to me anyway) feat of capturing the _light_ of Central Europe... It has been called "a staggeringly beautiful film" and with that assessment I will not contend... Yes, "I do advocate it most earnestly" :)

The plot concerns two Hussars in Napoléon Bonaparte's army. One is an extremely honorable fellow, the other is a despicable Gascon. Feraud, the Gascon, becomes offended when d'Hubert, the honorable fellow, places him under arrest (for dueling!) in the company of a woman. Feraud's displeasure leads him to duel d'Hubert many times, from before Napoléon becomes emperor, to after "the Ogre's" exile. But encounter after encounter proves inconclusive, as Feraud will only be satisfied by d'Hubert's death.

This film, said to be "a true story", was actually based upon a story by Joseph Conrad called "The Duel". However, "The Duel" was inspired by true events. The movie is almost entirely faithful to the book, except for the fact that Feraud is a delusional fruitcake in the book, whereas he is a bloodthirsty maniac in the film.

Over all, in the film and book alike, Feraud is a metaphor for Bonaparte, while d'Hubert is a metaphor for the rest of Europe. Feraud continues to pursue d'Hubert in duels, which are symbolic of wars. Inaccurate, as, Russia and Spain excluded, Bonaparte fought all of his wars defensively, and his attackers were often encouraged and funded by Britain. But, as the saying goes, "History is written by the victors". Aside from all that, Feraud excellently embodies all of Napoléon's negative traits: pertinacity, egotism and delusion.

Down to the basics: The movie is incredibly accurate as far as the period goes. The costumes, the hair styles...and especially the duels. You will simply never see more realistic swordplay in a movie. In addition, the plot is superb, the acting realistic and the ending fantastic. If you enjoy the Napoleonic period, duels, beautiful camera work or simply a great story then this film is something I recommend.

A much underrated classic. Though at first Keitel and Carradine may seem an odd choice for the roles, they are actually inspired. Set throughout Europe during the Napoleonic regime, Carradine plays the sober, dutiful officer merely sent to apprehend an erring peer. Unfortunately for him, the officer in question happens to be a stunted, obsessive nutcase, who takes the act as a real personal attack. Carradine plays the calm, obliging foil for Keitel's nasty runt surprisingly well, as they survive various battles, only for Keitel to 'kick off' with another assault. Top marks for both actors, and that it is played out with a certain grace (rather than full-on) gives it, in my humble opinion, a greater 'gravitas'. Pretty good, actually.

Yours,

Baby Cromwell, Nottingham, England

This new issue is well done, and the special features are worth the time to watch them.