Duel

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Wayne K @WayneKelso Oct 28, 2026 Few directors careers get off to as strong a start as Spielberg did with Duel. Foreshadowing the mega success he would have with Jaws 4 years later, it’s what you’d get if he decided to make his shark film on land, replacing a Great White with a gigantic truck. The dialogue is sparse, as is the score, and both of these factors help to contribute to an atmosphere of loneliness, desolation and impending doom. We have no idea why the trucker is taunting our lead, and that’s what makes his intentions so frightening: the fear of the unknown. It does raise a few questions, such as how the car is unable to outrun the truck, or why the lead choses such a poor method of identifying the driver in the café. But the majority of the time is spent up and close and personal with the vehicles duking it out, and you really can’t praise these sequences enough. It’s clear from these parts alone that Spielberg was destined for greatness, and it wouldn’t be long before he became a household name. See more Ollie W @RT90619198 Sep 30, 2026 This film very clearly influenced the beginning of Jeepers Creepers, which is one of my favourite horror film scenes. Imagine that one scene stretched out to be the whole movie… It’s a simple film that focuses on one lone main character. By the end it had started to feel repetitive. There’s no sense of progression and we learn nothing of the menacing antagonist driver. While watching it I did get a sense of its origins: Duel was originally made as a TV movie. The director then padded it out with some extra scenes and it received a theatrical release. If you want a road rage film I’d recommend Unhinged starring Russell Crowe over this. See more Jason H @RT50328122 Sep 15, 2026 Simple and very effective. See more C H @RT09098540 Jul 11, 2026 Epic and iconic this master is a blend of action and horror, making you think the horrors that could happen if that demonic Peterbuilt did get its way. See more Nandhu R @Kingmaker___6 Jun 14, 2026 It's a single chase scenario, but an engaging one throughout. They turn a simple road chase into an edge of your seat experience. It's a must watch thriller. Proof that great filmmaking doesn't need a complex story. 55 years later, this one is still a masterclass in suspense. 🚛🔥 The beginning of the Spielberg era...💕 See more Sam E. @WiscoReviews Jun 11, 2026 It’s Spielberg week! So that means I’m gonna do my best to watch every movie I haven’t seen from him, and this is his directorial debut. What an insane movie this is, and it also really shows what a great director he is, with a pretty great opening shot of the car leaving the house and driving through the opening credits. A very simple premise of a crazy truck driver vowing revenge on one man and the insane journey they go on. You can see how this inspired the Mad Max series, Christine, or Maximum Overdrive where the vehicle itself is the antagonist. I don’t think this movie is amazing; some scenes drag on, and I almost think it would’ve benefited from being shorter and tighter, adding more suspense instead of the stopping and going we saw a TON of. But Spielberg really was so special right away with this flick. A great start to an amazing career. 8.3/10. See more Read all reviews

Duel

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