- Film Review
- Reviewed By Tom Hutchinson
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4 out of 5
Based on a story by Joseph Conrad, this beautifully photographed movie was director Ridley Scott's first feature after graduating from commercials (Alien was to be his second). Set against the heavyweight hostilities of the Napoleonic Wars, it comes across as a coldly brilliant portrait of obsession, as hussars Harvey Keitel and Keith Carradine challenge each other over the years to a series of duels. Their small-scale battles might seem petty and ludicrous when juxtaposed against the war that's raging around them. But Keitel's manic man of honour is a character whose chilling fixation says something about the wider conflict and humankind's need to struggle. The British supporting cast is very impressive, too, with Albert Finney, Robert Stephens and Edward Fox all making brief but memorable appearances.
Plot Summary
Period drama starring Keith Carradine and Harvey Keitel. In 1800 Strasbourg, two hussars become engaged in a series of duels of honour. Their mysterious quarrel will continue for years in spite of the intervention of others and the Napoleonic wars raging around them.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Armand d'Hubert
- Keith Carradine
- Gabriel Feraud
- Harvey Keitel
- Fouché
- Albert Finney
- Colonel
- Edward Fox
- Adèle
- Cristina Raines
- General Treillard
- Robert Stephens
- Dr Jacquin
- Tom Conti
- Laura
- Diana Quick
- Amiable Second
- John McEnery
- Tall Second
- Maurice Colbourne
- Lecourbe
- Alun Armstrong
- Maid
- Gay Hamilton
- Leonie
- Meg Wynn Owen
- Madame de Lionne
- Jenny Runacre
- Orderly
- Pete Postlethwaite
- Narrator
- Stacy Keach
Crew
- Director
- Ridley Scott
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