Duel
Movie, 1971, The '70s, Set in A truck on a desert highway
Duel is #1 of 35 in release order and #1 of 35 in chronological order in the Steven Spielberg.
The story
Traveling businessman David Mann angers the driver of a rusty tanker while crossing the California desert. A simple trip turns deadly, as Mann struggles to stay on the road while the tanker plays cat and mouse with his life.
Duel recap
Duel (1971) traps a travelling salesman on the desert highways of California with a tanker truck whose unseen driver is set on killing him. Steven Spielberg made it for ABC's Movie of the Week from Richard Matheson's story and script. Dennis Weaver plays David Mann, a commuter on his way to a business meeting who passes a rusty, smoke-belching truck. The truck overtakes him, blocks him, then waves him into the path of oncoming traffic. At a roadside diner Mann accuses the wrong customer and gets punched. He tries to help a stranded school bus, is nearly shoved into a passing train at a crossing, and narrowly escapes when the truck rams the phone booth where he is calling the police. All the while his car's radiator hose is failing. The driver is never shown beyond a boot and an arm. Duel is the first film in Spielberg's career on this list, released abroad in cinemas with added scenes, and precedes The Sugarland Express.
Duel ending explained
Duel ends with a showdown on a cliff above a canyon. With his radiator hose burst, Mann barely crests a mountain pass and turns to face the truck on a dirt road. He wedges his briefcase on the accelerator, aims the car at the truck and jumps out. The car bursts into flames on impact, and the truck, its view blocked, follows the burning wreck over the edge. Mann whoops in triumph, then sits alone at the cliff edge at sunset, tossing stones down at the wreckage.
Post-credits scenes
No. Duel has no mid- or post-credits scene.
Where to watch Duel
Duel isn't on a US streaming service right now. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.6/10, Rotten Tomatoes 90%
Where it fits
- Release order: first, before The Sugarland Express.
- Chronological order: first, before The Sugarland Express.
Cast
- Dennis Weaver as David Mann
- Jacqueline Scott as Mrs. Mann
- Eddie Firestone as Cafe Owner
- Gene Dynarski as Man in Cafe
- Lucille Benson as Lady at Snakerama
- Tim Herbert as Gas Station Attendant
- Alexander Lockwood as Old Man in Car
- Shirley O'Hara as Waitress
- Carey Loftin as The Truck Driver
- Charles Seel as Old Man
- Amy Douglass as Old Woman in Car
- Dick Whittington as Radio Interviewer (voice)
Directed by Steven Spielberg.