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This is the TV movie that put Steven Spielberg on the map, shortly before he made The Sugarland Express. Working from a script by Richard Matheson, the film stars Dennis Weaver as a mild-mannered traveling salesman who unintentionally angers the driver of a semi truck. Suddenly, the truck is not only riding his tail but trying to run him off the road. No matter what he does (pulling over, stopping at a diner, calling the cops), he can't get rid of it. Spielberg makes the wise decision of never showing the driver, even as he cranks the voltage on the film's suspense elements. As a result, the truck itself takes on an air of satanic menace--even a personality of sorts--as it seems to hunt its human prey. Spielberg made a lot out of a little, suggesting just how skilled a storyteller he would become. --Marshall Fine
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
One of my favourite cult films. Dennis Weaver is tremendous in his roll as a mild mannered salesman and husband. Hang on as a leasurely drive through the California hills becomes a nightmare on wheels!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Zara
Format:VHS Tape
I feel that this is a film that you have to watch twice before you can fully apreciate its content. You need to be open minded, and be prepared for a film of this structure. The directing is amazing and truly builds up the tension and the editing is at its very best, therefore very little dialogue is needed.
This is a wounderful piece of film making, however those that cannot see beyond their favorite typical shallow predictable ending type films stay away from this movie its too hot for you.
This is a wounderful piece of film making, however those that cannot see beyond their favorite typical shallow predictable ending type films stay away from this movie its too hot for you.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By John Vincent
Format:DVD
This movie has been reviewed many times on the basis of 'man vs. technology'. I believe a closer look at the nuances presented in the movie show an excellent metaphor of 'man (Mann?) vs. his fears'.
We are allowed to over hear the phone in radio show on Mann's (Dennis Weaver) car radio. The show highlighting how the caller is no longer master of his own house and the fears he has on how to handle it. That is echoed when Mann stops for gas. The station attendant says 'you're the boss' while Mann replies with 'not in my house' Mann's phone conversation with his wife reinforces his character of trying to hide his fears and not deal with them.
The truck is the symbol of his fears and his way of handling them, or rather avoiding them. He can't stop and let them pass by, they will always be there farhter down the road, as the truck is. He can't out run them as they will always be tailgating. Throughout all this we never identify the truck driver as that fact is unimportant.
Mann is finally backed to a corner where he has to either die or face his fears. He does face them with interesting results.
An excellent movie that should be looked at beyond the car vs. truck Duel.
We are allowed to over hear the phone in radio show on Mann's (Dennis Weaver) car radio. The show highlighting how the caller is no longer master of his own house and the fears he has on how to handle it. That is echoed when Mann stops for gas. The station attendant says 'you're the boss' while Mann replies with 'not in my house' Mann's phone conversation with his wife reinforces his character of trying to hide his fears and not deal with them.
The truck is the symbol of his fears and his way of handling them, or rather avoiding them. He can't stop and let them pass by, they will always be there farhter down the road, as the truck is. He can't out run them as they will always be tailgating. Throughout all this we never identify the truck driver as that fact is unimportant.
Mann is finally backed to a corner where he has to either die or face his fears. He does face them with interesting results.
An excellent movie that should be looked at beyond the car vs. truck Duel.
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4.6 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE CRAZY TRUCK
I LIKE THIS MOVIE ALOT ITS ABOUT A MAN ON THE ROAD AND THIS TRUCK WONTS TO KILL HIM FOR NO RESON AT ALL I DON'T KOWN WHY I THINK THE TUCK DRIVER NEEDS HELP OR SOMETHING I THINK... Read more
Published on May 18 2004 by nathan Dalke
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the first of its genre--and possibly the best
Reviewers highlight the wonderful qualities of this must-see movie, but to me one of the most praiseworthy is that it is a pioneer--that other films since "Duel" are... Read more
Published on April 10 2004 by Nancy H. Rathke
5.0 out of 5 stars
Who says Alfred Hitchcock is the master of suspense?
This is one of Steven Spielberg's first movie. Here it is easy to see how he went from being a little known young director to a multi-zillion dollar movie mogul. Read more
Published on Mar 15 2004 by Pat Dewees
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Minor Masterpiece of Narrative Simplicity
Since the astronomical success of 'Jaws' in 1975, Steven Spielberg has had numerous opportunities to show us what he can do with a monster budget. Read more
Published on Feb 17 2004 by snalen
4.0 out of 5 stars
Duel - Familiar, anyone?
I started watching Duel at about midnight. It was about 10 minutes in, and a half hour later, it had me absolutely hooked. Read more
Published on Feb 16 2004 by Helen Cross-McGinty
4.0 out of 5 stars
LITTLE ADVICE-DONT UPSET A TRUCKER
The plot involves a travelling salesman who gets in a roadrage battle with a physcotic trucker and the whole story starts from there.
This movie is simple but effective. Read more
This movie is simple but effective. Read more
Published on Jan 23 2004 by n.reid
5.0 out of 5 stars
Filmmaking in its Essence
This movie makes one yearn for simpler times before virtuosity was replaced with special effects. The shoestring budget in this originally made-for-TV movie is its very strength,... Read more
Published on Nov 19 2003 by Barry C. Chow
2.0 out of 5 stars
I haven't laughed this hard late at night since....
I haven't laughed this hard late at night since....well, I can't remember. I am shocked and appalled by the other reviews of this movie. Groundbreaking, sorry. Read more
Published on Oct 4 2003 by humanmotto
5.0 out of 5 stars
Duel- one of the 70's best movies of the week
This is an incredible movie. Dennis Weaver is so good in this action packed thriller. Even though it came out in the 70s, the movie today will keep you on the edge of your seat. Read more
Published on Sep 30 2003 by Pecos Bill
5.0 out of 5 stars
What happened to the DVD?
One of my favorite movies. A great view, anytime. Some dissapointment about the DVD release of this title. Read more
Published on Sep 1 2003 by eyez wide open
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