Duel

Starring: Dennis Weaver, Eddie Firestone
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Rating: PG
Genre: Action, Horror, Television
1971

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A traveling salesman (Dennis Weaver) upsets the driver of a semi truck. The semi truck then follows him down the highway, trying to run him off the road. No matter what he tries, the salesman cannot get away from the semi truck.

Review:

Tim: I don't like to review made-for-TV movies, but this television movie is important because it is what put Steven Spielberg on the map. While very early in his career, and by no means flawless, this film shows the talent that would develop into one of the best directors of all time.

The film is intense because this is a situation that could actually occur to any one of us. Plus, we never fully understand the reason for the truck driver's desire for vengeance. We don't learn his story, which makes everything much more scary.

While entertaining, this is still a television movie made in the early 1970s. The film hasn't aged quite as well as I would have liked. It does seem dated. However, it is still an interesting piece of television work, and represents the breakthrough moment of Steven Spielberg. For these reasons, and the fact that it is legitimately nerve-racking, you should see this movie.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7



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