Few directors have shaped blockbuster cinema as much as Steven Spielberg. From Raiders of the Lost Ark to Jurassic Park and War of the Worlds: There is no shortage of outstanding works in his filmography. His early work is also noteworthy, especially the nerve-wracking thriller Duel.
Although Spielberg directed his first feature film, Firelight, in 1964, Duel is usually considered his debut. Last but not least exists from Firelight no longer a complete version. Only a few minutes of material remain. Spielberg shot Duel six years later for television before the film was released in cinemas.
Nerve-racking thriller: Spielberg’s breakthrough film Duel stands the test of time
It often happens that the first successes of well-known filmmakers lose their magic in retrospect. This is by no means the case with duel. Spielberg shows one here at a young age amazingly clear vision of what a film can be. With the simplest cinematic and narrative means, he keeps us in suspense.
You can watch the trailer for Duel here:
Duel – Trailer (German)
The story of Duel is quickly told: Actually, the businessman David (Dennis Weaver) drives quite comfortably on the highways of California. When one day a tanker truck appears behind him, Duel turns into one disturbing horror film: The driver of the tanker follows David on his way.
In duel, a lot of information is deliberately left out. We don’t know who the persecuting person is and what drives them. For this we experience the menace of the merciless approaching monster to the full extent. Spielberg focuses on an idea and executes it with masterful precision.
In a way, dueling provides that Framework for Spielberg’s feature films which became more complex from year to year. The tanker truck is followed by an army of police author and a shark. Before we know it, aliens and dinosaurs are knocking on the door. The duel is by no means small. On the contrary: there is just as much in the film as the animal horror of Jaws and the blockbuster wonder Jurassic Park.
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Did Duel convince you of Steven Spielberg?