The writing and acting duo did not receive as much attention for the historical drama The Last Duel as they did for Good Will Hunting – and that is unjustified! In the fact-based knight film, which celebrates its free-TV premiere tonightmaster director Ridley Scott stages one of the best fight scenes of 2021, which sets the perfect tone for Gladiator 2.
Knight fight on TV: The Last Duel tells a true and cruel story
Friendship, betrayal, death: In The Last Duel we find the important ingredients for a thrilling drama and are not disappointed. In the 14th century, the French knight Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) returns home after some time away. He finds his traumatized wife Marguerite (Jodie Comer), who claims to have been murdered by Jean’s old friend Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver). to have been raped.
There are no witnesses for this claim and since it is one person’s word against another, a knight’s duel is supposed to ensure a legally binding verdict. Finding the truth is therefore placed in God’s handswho will punish the guilty with the lost battle. The story of The Last Duel tells of the last legal duelwhich was approved by the Parliament of Paris and held in 1386.
20th Century Studios
The Last Duel
One story, many sides: The Last Duel captivates with a great cast until the end
The great trick of the film is the depiction of the events from three different perspectivesKilling Eve actress Jodie Comer sometimes appears as a seductress, sometimes as a traumatized victim. How narrow the Boundary between lust and sexual violence can be, becomes all too clear here, in which the staging in its various perspectives deviates only minimally from the events.
Marguerite appears in her Role as a woman like a powerless chess piecewho is dragged across the field by the men, even if she tries to actively influence her fate within the scope of her possibilities. The two men fight not only for the honourbut also about political influence and ultimately about their own ego.
Like shapeshifters, Damon and Driver change their characters depending on the point of view, so that as a viewer, you get into an emotional chaoswhose side you are on when the big duel comes. This is where things get really exciting and cruel, with shattering lances and brute forcethat get us in the mood for Gladiator 2.
What remains in the memory is Marguerite, who as a woman has no rights. Although the battle is fought for her, she plays no active role in the ordeal and can only watch as two men ultimately decide on her life or death. Despite the medieval setting The Last Duel feels frighteningly contemporary at times.
When will the historical drama The Last Duel with Matt Damon be on TV?
The big free-TV premiere will be on this Sunday evening, August 11, 2024, at 11:30 p.m. on RTLUnfortunately, there is no repeat, but you can stream The Last Duel at any time with a subscription on Disney+.
*. If you make a purchase or take out a subscription via these links, we receive a commission. .