Directed by Ridley Scott (his first feature film)and based on the story by Joseph Conrad this is one of the best movies to deal with the Napoleonic era. Fresh from doing commercials Scott opted to avoid huge set-piece battle scenes but instead piled on the historical atmosphere and made the movie human scale but very accurate.The story is a bit of an enigma in itself but the two main protagonists, French hussar officers played by Harvey Keitel and Keith Carradine find themselves enemies and fight a series of duels as the Napoleonic wars progress. Lots of interesting characters abound, played by acting luminaries like Edward Fox and Albert Finney. A real sense of history is achieved as the fortunes of the French army decline - but don't let that put you off - this is not a military history film - more a cinematic treat. Pour yourself a glass of red wine and sit back and enjoy a beautiful film, obviously influenced by Barry Lyndon and if you don't enjoy it you can call me Napoleon.
Wiki on the Duellists
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