"A Point of Honor or a The Duelists remake" Topic

The movie, as I remember it, was pretty good and having just finished the book, pretty much stays true to the idea of it if it doesn't cover all of the material in it. I would say it was still a faithful rendition of it.

Neither book nor movie are great, in my estimation, although both are good stories. Perhaps the movie edges out the book in some ways as the sword fighting is more spectacular seen than described.

I would imagine that some people do love this movie but probably most have another movie they prefer.

Neither the book nor the movie really tell you much about the Napoleonic Wars, their causes, the events in them and almost require you to be familiar with the history to understand the context of the story rather than teach the history through the story. Which is fine.

With that said, do you think a remake of this would be beneficial at all?

The movie certainly doesn't need to be remade. There aren't really any big battle scenes in the story that could be done more easily now than before. There is no new technology that would improve anything with special effects. There weren't really any special effects in the first movie that could be significantly improved upon.

But if you remade it today with two young, popular actors it might be the kind of thing that brought new interest in the Napoleonic Wars to a new generation or at least a knowledge that it even happened.

I for one would hate to see it remade, as I think the cinematography, costumes, and pacing were just fantastic. I also like the way Ridley Scott directed some scenes by taking things out of chronological order. For example, in the scene where the duellists are on horseback, we see Keith Carradine sitting on his horse, shaking with fear as he draws his sabre, intercut with scenes of his adversary bearing down on him, first at a charge, then at full gallop.

Also at the end of the last duel, we see Carradine (as d'Hubert) coming away from the ruin and packing up his pistols in silence, as Ferraud's second asks 'did you kill him?' 'Is he dead?', etc. He then cuts back to the scene where d'Hubert has Ferraud at gunpoint and begins to dictate his terms of honour to him.

Fantastic movie, not of the Napoleonic wars, but an intimate vignette of two soldiers, set within the context of those wars.

Don't ruin a good thing.

Neither the book nor the movie really tell you much about the Napoleonic Wars,…

Why should it?
Why do we "require" that our historical movies teach us history?

Movies are remade because the heavy lifting on getting a story has alredy been done. As for whether it "needs" to be remade, that is purely a financial decision.
If some studiop decides that it can make money with Justin Bieber as Feraud, then it will be done. And with L'il Twist as d'Hubert, that is all the justification that is needed.
Better yet, cast Lindsay Lohan as d'Hubert. THAT would make money!

Always remember. The purpose of a movie is to make money. There is no other reason.

I agree with Timotheous.

Great ending – 'In all your future dealings with me,
you shall conduct yourself as a dead man.'

A paraphrase, of course.

Always remember. The purpose of a movie is to make money. There is no other reason.

That is just silly. "The only purpose to anything is this one obvious benefit I can point out."

One could say…

"The only reason to have sex is to get pleasure," or, "The only reason to have sex is to reproduce."

Statements that may be true are not necessarily true, assuming the premise as conclusion is dangerous.

You should have said, "A purpose of a movie is to make money," and left off the other statement, could have even said that, "it often overrides all other purposes," but that was a bit too broad.

Cheers,

The Bandit

"Why should it?
Why do we "require" that our historical movies teach us history?"

I didn't say that it should. I even said it was fine that it didn't.

My point was that they are not vehicles for explanation of history. To understand the context you would have to do your own research. You don't really need to understand the context other than that the guys were involved in war when they used horses and swords for that sort of thing.

The question was whether there would be any benefit to remaking it. Would it spur an interest in the history mainly because it takes no time to explain it.

I just watched the movie for the first time last weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it. The only reason to remake it would be to have all the actors with the same accent throughout the film. Some with American accents and some with British accents was a bit distracting to me for some reason.

No remake, the movie was great! Why do you even ask?

I agree with Timotheous. It's a beautifully made movie. Absolutely great visuals. I like the acting. Ridley Scott is a wonderful film maker. Frankly, I don't care if someone does a remake of anything, but The Duelists is not in need of a redo in my opinion. If film is a mode of inspiring an interest in history and film makers have the urge to use a film to both entertain and inform, it is hard for me to believe that there aren't many wonderful untold stories that would serve that purpose.

Perhaps all with French accents…

So you guys don't think that a big remake wouldn't inspire any interest in the Napoleonic period?

There have been a number of Napoleonic movies made since 2000, and I think they reflect, rather than caused, a resurgance in the Napoleonic Wars--in Europe. After all, it is the bicentennial of the Napoleonic Wars.

Here in the US, I don't imagine anyone outside of wargaming, reenacting, or those who collect Napoleonic antiques who know anything more about the Napoleonic Wars than the name Waterloo.

"I have never met but I plan to find the time"
-Steely Dan YouTube link (at 1:49)

So you guys don't think that a big remake wouldn't inspire any interest in the Napoleonic period

Among who?
Anyone pre-disposed to go to the movie already has an interest.
In today's market any remake would not be recognizable as Napoleonic.
As it is, the original movie was a freak even for the time. You can count on one hand the movies with its degree of accuracy and dedication to history.

As I recall, the story was based on an actual mutual hatred of two French infantry officers back in the Ancien Regime days – perhaps the 7 Years War era, I doubt any but us TMP'ers would care to see that done as a re-make.

GdeP

The movie is one of my favorites. I consider it to be brilliant and can almost guarantee any remake would be worse, and probably full of unnecessary big CGI battle scenes and have Brad Pitt as the star. For God's sake leave it alone! I am tired of the remake culture.

Sadly, all that Hollywood is about these days is remakes, CGI, star vehicles and superheroes.
Axabrax, your scenario has 3 out of 4. 4 out of 4 if you count hussar uniforms as superhero costume.

A remake would most certainly not show the evolution of French hussar uniforms though the Napoleonic wars!

"Among who?
Anyone pre-disposed to go to the movie already has an interest."

Not necessarily. I remember around the time Gladiator was made that there was a lot of buzz and media stories about actual Gladiators. Okay, maybe not a lot, but some.

Same with Patriot.

Now the Four Feathers didn't draw that kind of media attention despite having a couple of big names in it.

Would this, or something else similar, if it were hyped enough, draw that kind of audience for other media projects or are the Napoleonic wars something that is only of interest to a small group of Europeans and a much smaller group of Americans?

It's not supposed ot be about epic battles or teaching history. It's not Spartacus (more on that below..). A remake would be pointless. The Duelists is a classic because of its cinematopgraphy, which is quite beautiful, appearing at times like a moving painting. Plus there is Harvey Keitel with a classic performance- who are you going to find to replace him? It's not an epic, also, it was made for almost nothing. The DVD has some excellent commentary about the shoot. It was really shoe-string, which makes the beauty of the final product even more remarkable.

Oh yeah, for you megalomaniacs out there:

link

I saw this at a bookstore in Hollywood the other day. Its a HUGE book and for $46 USD bucks looks like it would be a pretty good deal. And…….

link

Why remake a great movie?

I'd like to see a remake of Brigadier Gerard.

I'd like to see a remake of Brigadier Gerard.

A remake of Brigadier Gerard? What have I missed? I love those stories!!! link

If they re-make it, who plays Gerard? I recommend one of these two:
Vincent Cassel: link
or Romain Duris: link

"In all your future dealings with me, you shall conduct yourself as a dead man--like THIS!"
KABOOM!

Ron

N0!

It was a great movie, please no remakes. I imagine Hollywood would cast Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker as the two protagonists.

The movie didn't include any battles but it had liberal mentions of Marengo and other important events in the Napoleonic pantheon. An enthusiast could easily follow what was going on. The duels were fought each time there was a cease in the wars, because duels were only permitted in peace-time. That was why D'Humbert (who didn't want to duel with the psychotic Feroux) was told to "put his faith in Bonaparte", meaning that the French leader would mean war after after war after war!

Ridley Scott should have a crack at realising Stanley Kubricks 'Napoleon' script. Now that could be a worthwhile project!

I cannot believe that a remake would be better than the original film, great actors and great direction, so no – for me as well.

I'd go for it if Pixar did an animated version and all the characters were cute little critters. Maybe hamsters. You don't see enough hamsters in Napoleonic uniforms in the cinema these days.

I wouldn't say it's a favourite though I like it alot.

Why remake something that came out right the first time. Find something that hasn't been done well yet and do that.

The Charge Of the Light Brigade is dying for some to do a good historical job on it with no Indian warlords or liberal nonsense.
Starship Troopers needs a less Tyranids vs Imperial Guard vibe to it.
Lost Battalion has an exciting story but just looked a bit cheap.
Sharpe could do with a big budget movie revamp.

Better yet a new film! Not a remake..
The Sikh Wars
War of 1812
WW1 Eastern front.
An AWI movie from the British point of view.
all could do with a story set amongst them.

"Starship Troopers needs a less Tyranids vs Imperial Guard vibe to it."

How about Joe Haldemann's "The Forever War"? instead.

As to "The Duellists", why remake such a brilliant film? I found it very atmospheric and evocative of the period. The direction and acting (particularly the supporting cast)were great. I doubt if it could be bettered.

I don't who how Lil' twist is :(

I wouldn't mind a remake as I enjoy any movie about the period. What I remember most about the film first time I saw it was the sheer determination to never quit.

NO!