Duel

Excellent Blu-ray transfer. I have seen this films tons of times as I absolutely love it. I have never seem it look so clear and vivid and sound is superb also with both being superior to the DVD so Universal have done a great job for this print. For the technical aspects, note when compared to the UK 2005 DVD 4:3 Full Frame same 90 minute (DVD) version, this 1.85:1 widescreen transfer does not actually give us anything extra on the side, in fact the print is cropped along the top and bottom to give the appearance of 1.85:1 theatrical ratio and not 1.33:1 TV ratio. After all it was a made for TV movie at 74 minutes and then inflated with extra scenes for a 90 minute cinema release in Europe, UK and elsewhere in 1972. So its 1.85:1 (cropped) to be precise. That said, it does not detract from the pure enjoyment of watching this in Blu-ray HD quality and highly recommend its purchase.SPOILER ALERT-reading some of the following detail may give away key film details. Do not read if you wish to find out some details here.History of Duel:Officially listed as ©1972 on print even though this was broadcast originally as a TV Movie in the US on 13 November 1971 on ABC at 8:00PM EST in a 90-minute slot with commercials. Originally a made-for-TV movie, this Spielberg film was re-edited and lengthened for theatrical release in Europe in 1972, at the request of CIC (the distributor). Spielberg shot an additional 16 minutes of footage (bringing the running time up to 90 minutes from the original 74 of the TV version), including a longer title sequence, and a scene showing the killer truck trying to push Dennis Weaver's car under a train at a railroad crossing. Another new scene, where Weaver stops at a gas station and phones his wife, was written by producer George Eckstein to inflate the running time to the requested 90 minutes. This was reportedly done against Spielberg's wishes.Some technical aspects on the DVD (and this Blu-ray version) when compared to the earlier VHS releases.The DVD version is the 90 minute version, but it differs from earlier releases in at least three instances.1. In the wide shot (13mins) overlooking the truck at the gas station, a camera shadow can be seen on the truck's roof, at the bottom of the screen. This is gone, corrected either digitally or through cropping.2. Toward the end (67mins), in the VHS version, a voice-over makes it very clear what Dennis Weaver is planning to do: go at least 70 miles per hour through "Frenchman's Pass," an incline that the truck won't be able to climb very fast; on the DVD, the voice-over is removed, and all one hears is Dennis Weaver shouting, "You can't beat me on the grade!"3. Finally at 72mins, another fifteen- or twenty-second shot showing Dennis Weaver's eyes superimposed over the road as another voice-over reveals he is about to get on the incline, has been removed. Just before this scene, the scene where the train blows it airhorn after the truck driver blows the truck's horn is a different horn. The horn in the VHS version is a deep single-note airhorn which is too old for the Southern Pacific diesel locomotives in the film. Leslie or Nathan muti-chime horns can clearly be seen on the cab roofs of the locomotives and should have a blaring brassier tone. This has been corrected for the DVD version.

First saw this film as a B movie back in the 70's. We were a bit late into the cinema and missed the first couple of minutes and had to go and check with the usher that we were in the right screen as we thought the film was way too good to be a B movie. But we were in the right screen and became transfixed by the beautifully constructed tension and menace unfolding before us. It's a minor gem which demonstrates Spielberg's ability to create and sustain tension and menace brilliantly. Can't believe anybody would ever consider making this film in a studio with back projection. To his great credit Spielberg insisted on filming it on location. One of my favourite movies.

This 1971 film was Steven Spielberg's first full-length feature film and, immediately, all his tell-tale signs of tension based on events that are essentially somewhat out of the control of the films main victim are readily apparent. In this case the scenario is simple.Man, probably some sort of travelling salesman, leaves to go somewhere not specified. On the way he becomes the victim of a driver, never seen, of a powerful large lorry which is filthy and emits copious fumes etc. The victim is portrayed as a mild-mannered man who is forced to flee for his life. This strategy fails so a battle ensues that lasts until the conclusion of this uneven struggle is climaxed.That such a single themed and unyielding plot can prove to be unfailingly gripping throughout is testament to a plot line that any driver in deserted terrain might fear an identify with coupled with director skills that steadily winds up the tension. The final conclusion is not a disappointment although perhaps not as obvious as some might expect. Spielberg does not make the mistake of extending the drama beyond what can be sustained.This is a fine start to a director's career centred around steadily rising tensions and has achieved a considerable following. It is also historically significant for that reason. However, this review is not intended to discuss the actual film as by now it will have both its supporters and detractors. Entering into those conflicts is not the purpose of the review which is aimed squarely at the many supporters of this film.Essentially, for all of those who are keen supporters of this film and who have bought the previous DVD version of this disc, the only issue of vital importance will be whether the Blu-ray offers an improvement technically sufficient to justify the additional expense.For this reviewer the answer is a clear affirmative. The upgrade offers a clear advance on both image and audio quality with the imaging being a marked improvement. The colours are firmer and there is an increase to the perceived depth of the imaging. The whole film simply becomes more 'real.' The film, which is so concerned with close characterisation, benefits considerably from this enhancement of reality.The degree of improvement experienced from this BD will also inevitably depend on the replay equipment used. The following technical information is intended to be a guide to aid in assessment.The screen used for this review is only of moderate dimensions being a 40 inch television screen. However, the television is a high performing 4K unit which delivers a compensating positive effect. The moderate screen size lacks the impact of larger screens but is less critical of film faults.However, the contributing player is, unusually, able to separate the audio and visual HDMI signals before they leave separately to the television and pre-amp. That feature enhances both the visual and audio elements of the output. The audio, not so critical in the case, delivers an unusually wide-ranging and revealing performance. Its precision is equally revealing of film scores.Readers with alternative equipment will have to interpret this review bearing in mind their own equipment and its comparative advantages and disadvantages.The disc offers purchasers with suitable replay equipment a substantial improvement over the previous DVD.In summary this BD is a transfer from well-preserved 1971 film stock and has responded well to the upgrade and well worth considering