I finally managed to find a copy of The Duellists

[Posteritatis]

And I'm of the opinion that this movie is a particularly welldone piece of work, especially considering the shoestring budget that it was produced on. Interesting peek into the mindset of the time, lots of wonderful stitchcounting, and a big change of pace from the seizurecam type stuff you tend to see these days - which is doubly impressive considering it's about two people locked into a lifelong series of fairly realistically-brutal duels.

So yeah, I mainly wanted to burble about its general niftiness in a place where others might be made interested in taking a look at it themselves.

What movies have you guys seen lately that were far better than their budgets or sales or level of recognition among people as a whole suggest?

[sarge43]

1. Well, I'm watching it right now.

It's one of my favorites. I especially appreciate Ridley et al making the effort to get the historical details right, such as the braids the soldiers grew to protect their faces from sword cuts. And the cinematography is gorgeous. It's a film to be savored.

My choice for unsung excellence is The Offence with Sean Connery. It's about a cop at the end of his fading career who unspools over a particularly ugly case. Any time someone says Connery can't act, this film should change his mind.

[Posteritatis]

2. I'll have to check that out

I've only seen one Connery movie that I didn't like, and that was an obvious case of me being well outside the target audience. Most of what I've seen of his is more recent things and/or Bond, though.

I just did some digging around on The Duellists and found the budget. I'm stunned that they made that thing for under $1 million; it's just unreal.

[sarge43]

4. If you have Netflix, it's one of it's Instant Plays. That's how I found it. n/t

[ashling]

3. Fascinating to note all the

changes through time: costumes, coiffure, et al.

[sarge43]

5. Some more attention to detail.

One my husband pointed out. The lead in scenes to the final duel, there's a close up on D'Hubert prep'ing his pistol, the ball he uses has a raised ridge around it. According to Himself it's historically accurate because at that time it's the first attempt at rifling - giving better accuracy and range.

So, if you knew what you were seeing, you knew D'Hubert's intentions. He wasn't going to a duel; he was going on the hunt. You seldom see that quality of story telling in films. As said a film to be savored.