“The Duellists” Everything about the genius Ridley Scott is here! Enjoy the beginning of a legend

Duel, duel, more duel... Scott's world, where aesthetics live.

Scott is also known for his uncompromising portrayal of violence, which is evident in this debut film. All depictions of duels are inseparable from vivid blood and wounds. In the battlefield scene, bodies are boldly shown. You can clearly see elements that would lead to later historical blockbusters based on war, such as `` Gladiator '', `` Kingdom of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves '' (2010).

The six confrontations between Duperre and Fellows are all shot in different styles, and each serves as a different highlight. For example, in the fourth duel, when two men riding on horseback decide who is male by a momentary exchange of swords, the past flashes back in Duperre's mind as he prepares to die, and the film itself changes rapidly. The scene where Faroese's skin is peeled off also leaves a vivid impression and leaves the viewer deeply confused.

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On the other hand, the second confrontation scene is carefully depicted using a fixed camera. The two hold swords in a vast field, and the tension is captured in a long shot of when they will swing it. Incidentally, some have pointed out that this scene was influenced by the climax of Akira Kurosawa's masterpiece `` Tsubaki Sanjuro '' (1962).

The scene that seems most Scott-like to me is the scene of the third showdown, which takes place in a ruin. His clothes are in tatters from swinging the sword for a long time, and his skin is smeared with blood. The speed of the sword swing also gradually decreases. Even though they are exhausted, the two do their best until the end. They were placed in the darkness indoors, and the sunlight that filtered through the cracks began to illuminate them. This is a famous scene that shows that Scott's visual technique, which makes use of light and darkness, was already established at this time.

Behind the world of visual beauty that resembles a painting is the influence of that master.