Duel in 4K
Duel is a 1971 made for TV movie that was directed by, in his first movie, Steven Spielberg, who had done a handful of TV shows before. He was about 21 when he did this.
In one sense the story is simple. Dennis Weaver, in a red 1970 Plymouth Valiant is pursued on a highway by a mysterious and unseen driver of a big truck with flammable material. He was originally chased for 74 minutes, the length of a TV movie. However, when the movie became popular, it was released in theatres and an additional 16 minutes were added, making it a 90 minute film.
I guess I identify a bit with Weaver because I had the 1972 version of the car, which was also red. It cost $2,832. Today that would be the sales tax on the car. And it necver could go as fast as gthe car in this movie!
This is an interesting, compelling, thoughtful, and frustrating film. And Dennis Weaver is terrific. It is frustrating because of the building suspense. The cars and the film move often at a deliberate speed and anxiety just builds. There is little dialogue here and Weaver expressions tell you what you need to know.
My biggest surprise is in the audio and video. The video, for a 1971 TV is great in 4K. A times a bit grainy, but it fits the movie. And the sound is Dolby Atmos! There is some music but it is mostly car engines and it works perfectly.
I enjoyed two of the Bonus features, both made in 2001. Spielberg discusses the making of the movie in one feature and the other presents his time directing TV shows.
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