Duel (1971)
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A traveling salesman finds himself in a terrifying high-stakes chase when he is pursued by a mysterious, menacing semi-truck.
The story
David Mann, a middle-aged traveling salesman, is driving through the rural California desert to meet a client when he encounters a dilapidated tanker truck. After a series of aggressive maneuvers by the truck, Mann finds himself caught in a tense, escalating confrontation on the open road. The situation escalates as the truck begins to actively harass and terrorize him, forcing Mann to navigate a series of increasingly dangerous maneuvers to escape the mysterious and menacing driver. The film focuses on the psychological and physical tension of the chase as Mann struggles to maintain his composure and safety against his relentless pursuer.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
While traveling through the Mojave Desert, salesman David Mann is pursued by a menacing tanker truck. After a series of escalating confrontations, including a tense standoff at a gas station and a confrontation at a roadside diner, the chase intensifies. Mann manages to evade the truck several times, including a harrowing sequence at a railroad crossing and a frantic escape from a gas station where the truck crashes into a phone booth. The final chase takes them into a mountain range where Mann's car begins to overheat. In a final, desperate move, Mann lures the truck toward a cliff. He manages to wedge his briefcase onto the accelerator and steers his car into the truck just before both vehicles plunge over a cliff. Mann survives the crash and watches the wreckage as the sun sets.
- First release year
- 1971
- Runtime (minutes)
- 90
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Steven Spielberg
- Writers
- Richard Matheson · writer
- Cast and characters
- Dennis Weaver · David Mann; Carey Loftin · Truck Driver; Jacqueline Scott · Mrs. Mann; Eddie Firestone · Café Owner; Lou Frizzell · Bus Driver; Eugene Dynarski · Man in Café; Lucille Benson · Lady at Snakerama; Tim Herbert · Gas Station Attendant
- Genres
- action; thriller
- Themes
- mechanization of life; gender performativity
- Tone and mood
- suspenseful; menacing
- Premise and plot tags
- road movie; chase film; survival
- Source material / true-story basis
- Short story by Richard Matheson
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews from critics and is considered an influential cult classic and one of the greatest television films ever made.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 90% · review count: 48
- Production trivia
- The truck was chosen for its 'face' and menacing personality.; The film was based on an encounter on November 22, 1963, when a trucker dangerously cut Matheson off.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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