Ordinary American salesman David Mann (Dennis Weaver) finds himself travelling along the lonely highways of California, United States, before becoming locked in a terrifying battle with an unknown truck driver after a harmless overtaking manoeuvre. As the relentless pursuit unfolds, it gradually escalates into a deadly game of cat and mouse. An extremely easy-to-follow premise, yet a picture that still holds up in today’s era of filmmaking. It’s worth noting that Duel is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Director: Steven Spielberg
Writers: Richard Matheson
Starring: David Mann, Carey Loftin, Jacqueline Scott, Lou Frizzell, Eddie Firestone

Directed by Steven Spielberg in one of his earliest feature-length productions, Duel first aired as a television film in 1971, before receiving an international theatrical release following its success. Interestingly, the film was adapted from Richard Matheson’s short story of the same name, which was published in Playboy magazine in April 1971 and inspired by an encounter the writer experienced on a Californian highway during the early 1960s. Despite its modest budget and straightforward concept, Duel has gone on to become one of the most influential thrillers of its era.

One of the primary strengths of Duel would have to be its sheer simplicity. Throughout the modest ninety-minute runtime, there are no complicated plot twists or unnecessary side stories. Instead, the film simply tells the story of one man and his car, squaring off against a huge truck ready to cause chaos, with the quiet and picturesque Californian desert serving as the beautiful and effective backdrop. That straightforward formula allows each chase sequence to shine, creating a high level of suspense throughout, with many of the car chases still holding up remarkably well despite the film being over fifty years old.

Aside from the intense car chase sequences, Duel also leans heavily into psychological warfare, with the film feeling almost horror-like at times. The truck driver, for example, is rarely seen on camera, making him feel more like an evil villain lurking in the shadows than that of an ordinary driver. Through clever close-ups, camera angles and sharp editing, the filmmakers create an almost constant sense of suspense and unease. The truck itself almost becomes a character too, dominating every scene it appears in, while the occasional visits to small American towns provide a brief contrast of peace, before the danger and tension quickly returns.

Dennis Weaver adopted the role of David Mann, commanding a large majority of screentime throughout. Meanwhile, the truck driver remained largely anonymous and unseen, with legendary stuntman Carey Loftin officially credited in the role after spending much of the production behind the wheel during the film’s car chase sequences. Elsewhere, Jacqueline Scott, Lou Frizzell and Eddie Firestone all have minor, albeit important roles, portraying Mrs Mann, the Bus Driver and the Cafe owner, respectively.

All in all, Duel is a suspenseful and extremely well-crafted thriller that proves less can often be more in the world of filmmaking. Its simple story, memorable chase sequences and constant sense of tension ensure it remains just as gripping today as it was in 1971. Rather than leaning heavily on explosive action sequences, the filmmakers managed to build tension through clever pacing and very strong camera work – well worth the watch. As previously noted, Duel is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

“I’d like to report a truck driver who’s been endangering my life.”

David Mann – Duel